ABSTRACT
Mycotoxins are derived from the combination of two greek words
“mykes” which means fungus and “toxikon” which means poison (Haper
douglas, 2008). Thus, mycotoxins are fungal poisons (Bennett, 1987).
Mycotoxins are natural products produced by fungi that evoke a toxic
response when introduced in low concentration to higher vertebrates and
other animals by a natural route (Benette, 1987). Richard(2007) defined
mycotoxin as a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organism of the
fungi kingdom commonly known as moulds and this toxins are capable of
causing diseases and death to humans and other animals. The term
mycotoxin was coined in 1962, in the aftermath of an unusual veterinary
crisis near London, England during which approximately 100,000 turkey
poults died (Blout, 1961). When the mysterious turkey X disease was
linked to a peanut (groundnut) meal which was contaminated with
secondary metabolites Aspergillus flavus (Aflatoxins)(Blout, 1961). It
then sensitized scientists to the possibility that other occult mould
metabolites might be deadly. Soon the mycotoxin rubic was extended to
include a number of previously known fungal toxins for example: the
ergot alkaloids, some compounds that had originally been isolated as
antibiotics, for example patulin and a number of new secondary
metabolites revealed in screens targeted at mycotoxins discovery for
example ochratoxin (Forgacs, 1962).