Toxicological and nutritional implications of T-2 toxin

Trichothecenes are mycotoxins produced by species of the genus Fusarium. These toxins are associated with health problems in humans and animals. The most common trichothecenes in cereals are deoxynivalenol, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, nivalenol, neosolaniol and T-2 toxin; the latter is the most widely studied because it is easy to produce in the laboratory. The effects of T-2 toxicosis include dermatonecrosis, reduced body weight and efficiency of food utilization, severe diarrhoea, haemorrhage, necrosis of the upper alimentary tract, anaemia, immuno suppression ; and in birds, poor feathering. This paper reviews the latest information about the occurrence, chemical characteristics, toxicity, metabolic alterations, biotransformation and detoxifi cation methods of the T-2 toxin.