Semester of Graduation

Summer 2018

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Humans and fungi have a complex relationship, especially in regards to the many fungal secondary metabolites that can be produced. When secondary metabolites are toxic to animals and humans they are defined as mycotoxins. Fungi can grow on crops pre-harvest and post-harvest, and have the potential to produce mycotoxins which occur regularly in animal feed and food for human consumption. In high doses, mycotoxins cause variety of problems that result in economic losses and extreme health issues. However, multiple mycotoxins will co-occur in nature and commonly occur in low doses. Thus chronic low daily doses of multiple mycotoxins overtime may result in wear and tear on the body, as well as disease development later in life (for both animals and humans). The goal of this thesis is to provide a broad review of current literature on mycotoxins ranging in topics from their biochemical synthesis and control to their toxicity in various organisms. To accomplish this, in this thesis we look at mycotoxin contamination from a wide perspective and from different disciplines in order to understand how our agricultural practices, trade and economics, diet and health, and regulatory policies both affect and are effected by mycotoxin contamination.

Date

7-9-2018

Committee Chair

Wilson, Vince

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.4767

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