Analysis for mycotoxins: the chemist's perspective.
Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that pose a health risk to exposed animals and humans. In recent years, concern has mounted regarding human exposure to mycotoxins via inhalation of mold spores produced in damp buildings and homes. Although mycotoxins can be detected in such buildings, reliable means for measuring an occupant's level of exposure to most mycotoxins are lacking. The author briefly reviews the chemical methods currently available for mycotoxin analysis, outlining accepted practices and discussing the limitations of these measurements.
Jarvis
Bruce B
BB
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2021, USA. bj6@umail.umd.edu
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D009183:Mycotoxins