FUNGAL TOXINS

Fungal toxins are low molecular weight compounds (<1000 g/mol) produced by fungi.

Aflatoxins
group of highly toxic secondary metabolites.
Aspergillus species.
found mainly in cereals, oil seeds, tree nuts, spices, and milk.
AFB1 are classified as group 1 carcinogens

Chemical Structure
18 different types
AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2
AFB1 (C17H12O6) is a pale white-to-yellow crystalline, odorless solid
soluble in methanol, chloroform, and acetonitrile.
Structurally speaking, the double bond-containing dihydrofuran moiety and constituents liked to the
coumarin moiety are the mediators of their biological effects
Aflatoxins fluorescence strongly in ultraviolet light;
 Toxicity and symptoms

carcinogenic and teratogenic

impaired protein formation
induce coagulation, weight gain, and immunogenesis
AFB1 is highly toxic (LD50, 1–50 mg/kg body weight) to most animal species,
induce the development of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Clinical features
vomiting, convulsions, and coma.
Hypoglycemia and elevated serum transaminase levels
Fatty degeneration in the liver and kidneys, and cerebral edema are
noted in the majority of autopsy findings

Transmission

ingested via contaminated foods of plant origin, including maize, nuts and their
associated products.
can be transmitted from animal feed into milk and milk products, including cheese and
powdered milk,
 Mechanism of action

Carcinogenic And Mutagenic

they form a reactive epoxide at the 8, 9-position of the terminal furan ring by cytochrome
P450 (CYP) enzymes and its subsequent covalent binding to nucleic acids.
epoxide reacts with guanine bases within DNA and RNA, resulting depurination

Primary effect is to inhibit DNA and protein synthesis in the most active tissues, including the
liver, intestines, and bone marrow.

damage to DNA can be mutagenic, typically involving a GC to AT mutation

Potential use as a bioweapon and in biocrime

Aflatoxins are not the most toxic of weaponizable toxins

However, relatively easy to manufacture and can be used to commit enemy forces into
protective gear,
thereby reducing their combat effectiveness.
To date, flatoxins have not been there used as bioweapons in terrorist attacks.
 Plant Toxins

Plant toxins comprise proteins that are very cheap and easy
to produce in large quantities in a low-technology
environment.

Ricin

heterodimeric protein
present in the seeds of Abrus precatorius L.

Chemical structure

globular, glycosylated heterodimer

ricin A and B chains are joined by a single disulphide bond