Dr. Serkan Yilmaz is currently Professor at Ankara University and his studies focus on the genotoxic, carcinogenic properties of mycotoxins, environmental pollutants and food additives. With over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals, he currently serves as an editorial board member of many internationally recognized journals and he has participated in many national and international conferences.
MYCOTOXINS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A WIDE AND COMPLEX SPECTRUM OF EFFECTS AND ARE GENERALLY CLASSIFIED ON THE BASIS OF THE AFFECTED TISSUES OR ORGANS. IS THIS CLASSIFICATION ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEXITY OF THE EFFECTS THAT THESE TOXINS CAN HAVE ON AN ORGANISM, ESPECIALLY KEEPING IN MIND THAT IS FREQUENT TO BE EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE MYCOTOXINS AND THAT THEIR INTERACTIONS MAY MODIFY THE FINAL OUTCOME?
Mycotoxins can adversely affect human and animal tissues and organs, and can lead to hepatotoxicity, hepato-carcinogenicity, nephrotoxicity, susceptibility to diseases, slow growth, and impairment of reproductive functions and cancer development.
Furthermore, mycotoxins act as potent immunosuppressive agents that negatively affect immune cells.
The severity of the damage caused by mycotoxins in the body may vary depending on factors such as vitamin deficiency, energy deprivation, and infectious disease status.
As can be understood from these explanations, it is not correct to classify mycotoxins according to the organ type that they affect, because many mycotoxins can cause systemic toxicity.
It is also clear that the combined effects of mycotoxins will be much more toxic, as animals and humans are exposed to mycotoxins through the food chain and many mycotoxins can be found on the same food.
Micotoxicosis prevention