Aflatoxin M: occurrence, toxicity, regulation. Chromatographic methods of analysis for aflatoxin M. Immunochemical methods of analysis for aflatoxin M.toxic metabolites from fungal cheese starter cultures. Mycotoxigenic fungal contaminants of cheese and other dairy products.

Food-borne diseases, including those via dairy products, have been recognised as major threats to human health. The causes associated with dairy food-borne disease are the use of raw milk in the manufacture of dairy products, faulty processing conditions during the heat treatment of milk, post-processing contamination, failure in due diligence and an unhygienic water supply. Dairy food-borne diseases affecting human health are associated with certain strains of bacteria belonging to the genera of Clostridium, Bacillus, Escherichia, Staphylococcus and Listeria, which are capable of producing toxins, plus moulds that can produce mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, sterigmatocytin and ochratoxin. Microbial Toxins in Dairy Products reviews the latest scientific knowledge and developments for detecting and studying the presence of these toxins in dairy products, updating the analytical techniques required to examine bacterial and mould toxins and the potential for contamination of milk as it passes along the food chain, i.e. from 'farm-to-fork'. This comprehensive and accessible collection of techniques will help dairy processors, food scientists, technologists, researchers and students to further minimise the incidences of dairy food-borne illnesses in humans.

Full text, included in Knovel Library within the subject area of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

Moulds and the mycotoxins they produce, have a wide-ranging economic impact on animal agriculture on every continent of the globe. Mould growth robs feed nutritive value and reduces intake, which lowers efficiency. Mycotoxins, even when present at levels previously considered 'trace', have negative effects on performance and health, particularly in the context of today's more highly productive modern livestock genetics. Food-borne toxins also threaten human health through contaminated cereal and protein sources and transfer of toxins in food animal products. The Mycotoxin Blue Book focuses on the physiological effects and field occurrence of mycotoxins. Detailed information on types of moulds and mycotoxins and the conditions under which moulds flourish is included. Implications of mycotoxin contamination of feedstuffs for all major food animal species are presented in addition to aquaculture and companion animals. Sampling and analytical issues are covered in depth; as is the topic of mycotoxins in human foods. Finally, practical means of ameliorating mycotoxin effects are addressed. It is the hope of the editor and authors that the material herein will lead to clearer recognition of mycotoxin problems and ultimately to ways of reducing their impact on food animal production. An excellent guide for nutritionists, advisors, farmers and students involved with and using animal feed. Contents: Sampling feeds for mycotoxin analysis Mycotoxins: their effects in poultry and some practical solutions Effects of mycotoxins in horses Effects of mycotoxins on domestic pet species Effects of mycotoxins on antioxidant status and immunity Mycotoxins in aquaculture Principles and applications of mycotoxin analysis Mycotoxins in the human food chain Mould growth and mycotoxin production Current concepts in mycotoxicoses in swine Mycotoxins in forages Mycotoxin interactions Mycotoxins: metabolism, mechanisms and biochemical markers Effects of mycotoxins in ruminants Mycotoxin sequestering agents: practical tools for the neutralisation of mycotoxins Index

This book is broadly divided into five sections and 17 chapters, highlighting recent advances in aflatoxin research from epidemiology to molecular genomics and control measures, biocontrol approaches, modern analytical techniques, economic concerns and underlying mechanisms of contamination processes. This book will update readers on several cutting-edge aspects of aflatoxins research with useful up-to-date information for mycologists, toxicologists, microbiologists, agriculture scientists, plant pathologists and pharmacologists, who may be interest to understanding of the impact, significance and recent advances within the field of of aflatoxins with a focus on control strategy.

Disturbances in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract caused by internal and external influences can cause large economic losses in both the pig and poultry industries. Traditionally, diseases and conditions of the GI tract that can cause losses have been controlled by antimicrobial compounds administered in the feed and (or) water, such as antibiotics, coccidiostats, zootechnical feed additives and trace elements such as zinc and copper. However, legislation and rulings in various parts of the world coupled with a growing sentiment to reduce the use of these compounds in the intensive livestock industries have caused a reassessment of measures to influence GI tract structure and function ('gut health'), and have caused unparalleled interest in alternative strategies (genetic, dietary, management, environmental) to effectively manage the GI tract under conditions of external and internal challenge. Despite the wide array of products and strategies available to the pig and poultry industries that influence 'gut health', a term in itself that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted, it is important that the industries continue to investigate and understand the underpinning sciences that influence GI tract structure and function, especially at critical life stages. Ultimately, the cost-benefit of adopting such practices to influence 'gut health' requires consideration.