Project

Intensive training on mycotoxin analysis

Code
13V20113
Duration
01 July 2013 → 31 December 2013
Funding
Federal funding: various
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Systems biology
Keywords
mycotoxin analysis
 
Project description

Mycotoxin contaminations occuur world-wide and represent one of the most challenging and promoinent food safety threats. In terms of exposure and severity of chronic disease, especially cancer, mycotoxins appear at present to pose a higher risk than anthropogenic contaminants and pesticides. They seriously affect the agricultural economies of many countries, interfere or even prevent trade, reduce animal and animal product production and affect human health. Between 25% and 50% of all commodities, especially staple crops, are contaminated with mycotoxins. In developing countries, monitoring and enforcement (according to EU or US legislation) only occurs occasionally when commodities such as groundnuts and coffee are destined for export while it is mostly ignored for local goods. Agricultural commodities of inferior quality are kept for local use resulting in adverse and even fatal health effects. Fortunately, the awareness on the mycotoxin problem is growing in several developing countries.