Abstract
In the human organism, mycotoxins present a considerable risk, which must be controlled, i.e. its impact on the human health should be minimized. Biological effects of mycotoxins are associated with their different chemical structures.
Important mycotoxins also include a group of so called epoxytrichothecenes, as for example DON, DAS (diacetoxyscirpenol), nivalenol, T-2 toxin, fusarenons, satratoxins, roridins, verrucarins, etc. which have been described in a number exceeding 170. The decisive factors determining toxic effects of mycotoxins in general, and thus also of trichothecenes, are their dose and time period of their action (the magnitude of the exposure), individual sensitivity, age, gender, condition of health and nutrition, vitamin deficiency, alcohol abuse and infectious diseases.
Combinations of two or more so called "emerging" or "masked" mycotoxins concomitantly occurring in foodstuffs and/or raw materials can, as a result of their synergism (at a dietary exposure considered), induce much higher toxic effects. Toxicologically important mycotoxins are trichothecenes as for example deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin (its limit concentrations being a still discussed and yet not solved problem in the EU); regulation should also be considered for haematotoxic nivalenol, etc.
Appropriate attention should also be undoubtedly paid to a number of further species. Due to their toxicity and possible abuse, in the Czech Republic, (epoxy)trichothecenes are subjected to the force of Law No. 281/2002 Sb and its executing Regulation No. 474/2002 Sb. "On some provisions associated with the prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons".
The purpose of the work presented here is thus monitoring of certain toxic effects of selected epoxytrichothecenes.