- Develop data for use in risk assessment of mycotoxins in human and animal health.
- Develop new techniques and improve current assays to identify and measure mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi in cereal grains.
- Establish integrated strategies to manage and to prevent mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains.
- Define the regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis and the molecular relationships between mycotoxigenic fungi.
Mycotoxins are metabolites of fungi that can adversely affect animal and human health. Mycotoxins can be produced in grain during storage or processing, but are most frequently associated with fungal infection that occur before harvest. Environmental factors that determine fungal infection and mycotoxin production are complex. Generally, a basal level of mycotoxins is present in US grain; however, in some years, environmental conditions lead to localized or widespread outbreaks of mycotoxin contamination. The scientists involved in this multistate, multidisciplinary research work individually on mycotoxin issues related to their respective disciplines and areas of expertise. Just as agriculture is diverse and varies greatly from state to state (and in many instances, within a given state), the occurrence and severity of mycotoxin outbreaks vary widely across the US. A multistate effort ensures a thorough approach to investigate a complex and highly variable phenomenon. The purpose of this web-site is to make available the NC-1025 annual progress reports from the research project. This site also will be a resource for current news about mycotoxins.