Chemical Analytic Methods of Trichothecene Mycotoxins: Basic Facts about Trichothecenes

Among the toxins of microscopic fungi a significant place is occupied by trichothecene mycotoxins (trichothecenes) representing a group of chemically related compounds – derivatives of the 12, 13-apoxytrichothe-9-cene. Trichothecene toxins are produced by various fungi species of the genera Fusarium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma, Cephalosporium, etc. They can contaminate food raw materials, food stuffs and fodder. At present, the role of microscopic fungi – producers of trichothecene – as an etiological factor of the whole range of alimentary toxicosis in man and animals, is quite clear. Numerous experiments show that independent trichothecene mycotoxins, or, which is more likely, their combinations, serve as causative agents of the above toxicosis.