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Corpus Journal of Dairy and Veterinary Science
[ ISSN : 2833-0536 ]


Mycotoxin Contamination in Livestock Feed and Dairy Products, with Description of their Occurrence in Mediterranean Countries

Review Article
Volume 3 - Issue 2 | Article DOI : 10.54026/CJDVS1036


Milva Pepi1 and Silvano Focardi2*

1Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Fano Marine Centre, Viale Adriatico, 1-N, 61032 Fano, Italy
2Department of Environmental Sciences, Università di Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy

Corresponding Authors

Silvano Focardi, Department of Environmental Sciences, Università di Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy

Keywords

Mycotoxins; Livestock Feed; Aspergillus spp; Penicillium spp; Fusarium spp; Dairy Cattle; Dairy Products; Aflatoxin M1; Mediterranean Sea

Received : March 16, 2022
Published : March 28, 2022

Abstract

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi that contaminate livestock feed in many parts of the World and can represent a challenge for human and animal health. The most frequent recovered fungi producing mycotoxins in dairy farms are represented by genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Cancerogenic properties were highlighted for mycotoxins, in particular for aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumosin, highlighting the interest in recovery methods for these mycotoxins and focusing on possible mechanisms able to avoid fungal feed contamination and mycotoxins dispersal. Contamination by mycotoxins can thus spread from feed, damage cattle dairy and threaten human health. The countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea showed consolidated traditions in cattle livestock and several studies evidenced the concern of mycotoxins contamination in cattle farms and in dairy products, representing a serious challenge for human health. Moreover, climate change and temperature increase favour fungal production of mycotoxins, thus adding important concerns for human health. This concern assumes more serious aspects if considering that the Mediterranean basin is a hotspot in terms of climate change. This mini review describes the concern of mycotoxins contamination in dairy livestock feed and in dairy products, with a focus on countries bordering the Mediterranean basin.