The process of completely removing or destroying all microorganisms on a substance by exposure to chemical or physical agents, exposure to ionizing radiation, or by filtering gas or liquids through porous materials that remove microorganisms is called: sterilization.
A mycotoxin (from Greek Î¼ÏÎºÎ·Ï (mykes, mukos) fungus and ÏÎ¿Î¾Î¹ÎºÏÎ½ (toxikon) poison) is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungi kingdom, commonly known as molds. The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops.One mold species may produce many different mycotoxins, and the same mycotoxin may be produced by several species.ycotoxin exposure is almost always accidental whereas with mushrooms improper identification and ingestion causing mushroom poisoning is commonly the case. Ingestion of misidentified mushrooms containing mycotoxins may result in hallucinations.
Health effects may include liver and kidney failure and death. Other toxins from fungi and algae vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol), diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 and HT-2 toxins. These mycotoxins affect up to 25 percent of the world's grain supply. All of the mycotoxins are considered bioterrorism threat agents.