ABSTRACT

During recent decades, the contamination of cereal grains with toxic metabolites of Fusarium species has been increasingly documented. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most common trichothecene toxins produced by F. graminearum. Wheat, rice, corn (maize),oats, barley and other grains used for human and animal consumption are frequently contaminated with DON. DON affects animal and human health causing vomiting, acute temporary nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and fever. In this paper, we reviewedrecent studies in DON contamination incereals and cereal based products.

Key words: Deoxynivalenol, Fusarium graminearum, Mycotoxin, Trichothecenes.