Trichothecenes are the largest group of mycotoxins and are produced by Fusarium moulds. There are over 40 different trichothecenes including deoxynivalenol(DON), nivalenol(NIV), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), fusarenon-X(FX), T-2 and HT-2. 3-Acetyl DON and 15-Acetyl DON derivatives of DON also exist in nature. Trichothecenes occur in cereals including wheat, barley, maize, oats and rice and they are present in many different climates. In some parts of the world, such as the USA and Canada, DON and NIV are endemic. Deoxynivalenol, is one of the most common and prevalent of the trichothecenes. DON is also called vomitoxin due to the fact that it causes sickness in humans and animals (for example swine will refuse feed containing DON). DON can also have adverse effects on the immune response and is considered to have the potential to predispose humans and animals to other diseases. Trichothecenes received their notoriety in Russia following World War II due to the discovery of T-2 toxin that caused internal bleeding of humans who ingested over wintered cereals in bread. T-2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) have also been found to be highly toxic if taken orally or through penetration of the skin, they can also cause mouth lesions and acute poisoning. Currently no legislation exists for trichothecenes although DON maximum advisory levels have been introduced in many countries worldwide, including Germany, Austria, Russia, Canada and the US. European advisory levels for DON have also recently been introduced.

© 2002 R-Biopharm Rhone Ltd