The Mycotoxins Blue Book

Authors: Edited by Duarte Diaz
The Mycotoxins Blue Book is an interdisciplinary volume on the applied aspects of mycotoxins and considers the recent advances in the field of mycotoxicology. It reviews the toxic effects of mycotoxins in a wide range of species and describes recent methodological advances in the sampling of feeds, analysis principles, mycotoxin production and mycotoxin biomarker utilisation. The book also discusses the toxicological properties of mycotoxins and their effects on the antioxidant status and immunity of affected animal species, and presents decontamination and detoxifications techniques.

Once thought to be only a problem in tropical regions, moulds and the mycotoxins they produce have wide-ranging economic impact on animal agriculture on every continent of the globe. Mould growth robs feed nutritive value and reduces intake, which lowers efficiency. Mycotoxins, even when present at levels previously considered 'trace', have negative effects on performance and health, particularly in the context of today's more highly productive modern livestock genetics. Food-borne toxins also threaten human health through contaminated cereal and protein sources and transfer of toxins in food animal products.

The Mycotoxin Blue Book focuses on the physiological effects and field occurrence of mycotoxins. Detailed information on types of moulds and mycotoxins and the conditions under which moulds flourish is included. Implications of mycotoxin contamination of feedstuffs for all major food animal species are presented in addition to aquaculture and companion animals. Sampling and analytical issues are covered in depth; as is the topic of mycotoxins in human foods. Finally, practical means of ameliorating mycotoxin effects are addressed. It is the hope of the editor and authors that the material herein will lead to clearer recognition of mycotoxin problems and ultimately to ways of reducing their impact on food animal production.

Availability: In print
Publication date: April 2005
Binding: Hardback
Dimensions: 24cm x 18cm
Weight: Unknown
Extent: 350 pp.
ISBN: 1-094761-19-4

Book Contents

• Worldwide mycotoxin contamination
• Mould and mycotoxin production
• Mycotoxins in forages
• Sampling feeds for mycotoxin analysis
• Principles and application of mycotoxin analysis
• Mycotoxin interactions
• Toxicological properties of mycotoxins
• Effects of mycotoxins on antioxidant status and immunity
• Mycotoxins in the human food chain
• Effects of mycotoxins in pigs
• Effects of mycotoxins in poultry
• Effects of mycotoxins on ruminants
• Effects of mycotoxins in horses
• Effects of mycotoxins on pets
• Effects of mycotoxins in aquaculture
• Biomarkers in mycotoxin analysis and research
• Strategies for neutralisation of mycotoxins
• Index