What are mycotoxins?

This article has been written by my friend Karolina who is currently pursuing PhD in biochemistry at University College Dublin. I would like to thank her for taking time to share her experience with me and readers of this blog.   

MYCOTOXINS

Fungi are truly important in our lives. We can benefit from their nutritional value or use them as a cure since many fungal species produce bioactive substances such as antibiotics. Unfortunately, some species (we can call them simply MOLDS) produce bioactive substances known as mycotoxins which are very harmful to humans.

There are many classes of mycotoxins with different toxic profile which I will try to summarize later, but the take home message is that mycotoxins are really harmful and in a long term they can cause very serious health problems. In my opinion, they should be considered even more harmful than pathogenic bacteria. Why? Majority of pathogenic bacteria can be easily killed with antibiotics. Unfortunately, we are not able to degrade mycotoxins as easily. It is impossible to degrade them at home due to their resistance to heat and domestic detergents. The only way to get rid of mycotoxins is to use specific chemicals which normally are not available for domestic use. Moreover, even using specific chemicals (very toxic, of course) we are still not able to degrade all mycotoxins.

It is important to notice that mycotoxins producing fungi are present everywhere in our environment. However, until they do not have favorable circumstances they will not grow and produce mycotoxins. What are favorable circumstances then? Mostly high humidity will be enough for growth. Fungal metabolism can be easily switched to different metabolic pathways and for that reason they can use many different sources of energy, but water must be available in the first place.

Where can we find mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are basically everywhere (vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, diary etc.) and they were everywhere from the beginning of our planet. I would call that a mycotoxins background. Realistically speaking, it is impossible to reduce that background and I believe that it is not the case. The weightiest problem is to avoid excesses of fungal growth, which, in turn, will help to decrease mycotoxins contamination as well. There is still so much need to improve the food industry practices since use of already moldy products for further processing is not rare.

Why mycotoxins are so dangerous then?

Aflatoxins:

These substances cause chronic liver disease called cirrhosis; kidney, pancreas and spleen failure and fibrosis, severe encephalopathy with brain swelling; they induce liver and gallbladder cancer, myeloma; they are immunosuppressant and enhance possibility of certain diseases like AIDS, jaundice or malaria.

Ochratoxins:

Ochratoxins cause severe kidney failure and renal fibrosis; they cause kidney and liver cancer and increase possibility of miscarriage.

Patulin:

This mycotoxin causes diarrhoea, nausea, irritation, internal haemorrhages; it is toxic for kidneys, immune system and liver, induces cancer and increases chance for miscarriage. In the cell, patulin destroys cellular membrane and blocks mRNA and protein synthesis.

Fumonisins:

They are potentially cancerogenic for liver and kidney; they cause diarrhea, nausea and are toxic for liver cells.

Trichothecenes (including T-2)

It is a very dangerous group of mycotoxins widely used during II World War as a poison (especially T-2). Trichothecenes are highly toxic for liver and cause severe and painful dermatitis including skin ulcers and skin inflammation. They can increase probability of miscarriage and liver cancer.

Zearalenone:

It is especially dangerous for women. It can decrease fertility, blocks ovulation and increase chance for miscarriage.

How to reduce exposure to mycotoxins?

To reduce mycotoxins exposure we have to reduce molds in our living space!!!

Shopping

·         Make sure that you choose fruits and vegetables with healthy looking skin, roots and leaves. Never pick an item that has even the smallest signs of mold.

·         Be sure that other items on the same tray or in the same box look healthy. Remember that if other items are moldy already there is a huge probability that spores of fungi have already spread.

·         A plastic packaging which is covered with water drops from the inside is usually a bad sign. If you decide to take such an item make sure that the foods inside look healthy.

·         Please avoid commercially available juices!!! Based on many publications it is widely known that juices contains huge amounts of mycotoxins, especially patulin.

At Home

(Kitchen)

• Never use food that has even the smallest spot of mold. Remember that cutting of an affected part does not protect you because toxins have already spread throughout the item.
• Remember that heat and detergents do not degrade mycotoxins. It is only possible eliminate them in the laboratory using high heat and specific chemicals. That is why frying, cooking or baking will never help you get rid off mycotoxins.
• If any of your items has even a small spot of mold, don’t hesitate to throw it away. I know it sounds horrible, I dislike doing it myself, but I believe that it may cost you more to accumulate mycotoxins in your body. Please, monitor your products and use them before they go off. It takes only few seconds to go through your food and decide what you have to use next. I always keep items that I have to use first on my upper shelf in the fridge. I always know what to use first and do not throw away food any more. 
• If you buy vegetables, fruits or other items in a plastic packaging always take them out or at least make a few big holes in the plastic to provide an air flow and prevent mold growth.

(General Home Tips)

• Always ventilate your home. Leave doors open to even the level of humidity in your place. Remember that fungi love high humidity. Please, make sure you ventilate your living space, especially bathroom very well. That will help you to prevent fungal overgrowth.  
• If you notice fungal growth somewhere in your place, bleach it carefully. Toxically speaking J I am against using such harmful cleaning products. However, I believe that mold in your living space can cause more harm than bleach. So I use it in this case without feeling guilty.

I hope that these tips will help you reduce your mycotoxins exposure and I wish you good health and of course strong will to fight with our toxic world :D