Research Information System
Van Yüzüncü Yıl University 2nd International Health Sciences Congress, Van, Turkey, 18 - 19 December 2023, vol.1, no.1, pp.50
Aim: The genus Citrus, belonging to the family Rutaceae, includes fruit species such as orange, lemon, tangerine, lime, grapefruit and citron. Members of the
Citrus genus are produced in more than 140 countries with tropical, subtropical and temperate climate conditions. In particular, members of this genus are
rich in bioactive compounds that positively affect human health, such as carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C. However, citrus fruits are susceptible to
various types of mould, both pre-harvest and post-harvest. Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum green and blue moulds, which are post-harvest
phytopathogens, contaminate citrus fruits, especially during the storage phase. Another species that contaminates citrus products is the airborne pathogen
Penicillium expansum. Molds not only infect products and cause economic losses but also affect human health due to the secondary metabolites they produce,
mycotoxins. Mycotoxin contamination levels of products vary depending on various factors such as geographical location, climate, product genotype, preharvest processes, pesticide use, harvesting process, storage conditions, damage caused by insect pests and mechanical injuries caused by weather
conditions. Most mycotoxins are heat stable and do not break down or disappear in industrial processes. Therefore, it can be found in fresh fruits and products
processed from fresh fruits.
Conclusion: Patulin, produced especially by P. expansum in citrus products, is an important polyketide mycotoxin, and it has been determined that it damages
important organs and systems, including the liver, kidneys, intestines and immune system, and has immunotoxicity, genotoxic and mutagenic effects.
However, the secondary metabolite metabolism and mycotoxin production of P. digitatum and P. italicum species and the potential mycotoxin accumulation
in their fruits and products have not been fully clarified. Considering the negative effects of mycotoxins on human health, such as genotoxic, cytotoxic and
mutagenic, knowing the types of mycotoxins found in citrus products is seriously important for food safety and human health.