The Chemistry of Mycotoxins Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products

The biological activity of mycotoxins ranges from weak and/or sometimes positive effects, such as antibacterial activity (see penicillin derivatives derived from Penicillium strains) to strong mutagenic (e. g. aflatoxins, patulin), carcinogenic (e. g. aflatoxins), teratogenic, neurotoxic (e. g. ochratoxins), nephrotoxic (e. g. fumonisins, citrinin), hepatotoxic, and immunotoxic (e. g. ochratoxins, diketopiperazines) activity. Nowadays, many laboratories around the world are specialized in the detection of mycotoxins in food products and contaminated material found in housing. In this volume, a focus on the most important classes of mycotoxins is provided and their chemistry of the last ten years is discussed. In each Section, the individual biological impact is outlined. Sections are arranged according to mycotoxin classes (e. g. aflatoxins) and/or structural classes (e. g. resorcinyl lactones, diketopiperazines). The biology of mycotoxins is also described. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction....Pages 1-1 Aflatoxins....Pages 3-21 Citrinin....Pages 23-26 Ergot Alkaloids....Pages 27-47 Fumonisins....Pages 49-59 Ochratoxins....Pages 61-67 Patulin....Pages 69-72 Trichothecenes....Pages 73-90 Resorcylic Acid Lactones....Pages 91-108 (Thio)diketopiperazines....Pages 109-126 Alternaria Metabolites....Pages 127-137 Skyrins....Pages 139-151 Xanthones....Pages 153-205 Cytochalasans....Pages 207-223 Peptidic Mycotoxins....Pages 225-231 Back Matter....Pages 233-300