Chapter 6: In Vitro Assays to Estimate the Toxicological Effects of Masked Mycotoxins

Humans and animals are exposed through food and feed not only to native mycotoxins, but also to altered forms. Little is known about the toxicity, bioavailability or metabolic fate of masked mycotoxins. Consequently, these compounds were until recently not accounted for in risk assessments, even though several studies have highlighted the potential threat to animal and human health associated with these compounds. Despite reports suggesting a low inherent toxicity of masked mycotoxins, the release of toxic aglycones during mammalian digestion may pose an additional risk of exposure to the organism itself, as well as to the microbial population inhabiting the gut. In this chapter, the toxicological significance of masked mycotoxins based on current knowledge obtained from in vitro toxicity and bioaccessibility/bioavailability assays is summarised and discussed.