Journal Top Ten - November 2002

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photo-11 Article: "Antioxidant Nutrients and Mycotoxins"

Summary: The authors review the effects of mycotoxins and the antioxidant properties of several natural and synthetic compounds that may protect against their toxic effects. Natural antioxidant compounds that may protect against mycotoxins include vitamins, provitamins, carotenoids, chlorophyll and its derivatives, phenolics, and selenium. Synthetic antioxidant compounds include butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. The authors speculate that the protective properties of antioxidants are due to their ability to act as superoxide anion scavengers, allowing them to protect cell membranes from mycotoxin- induced damage. Antioxidant vitamins also may play a role in preventing …