Thismycotoxin belongs to trichothecenes that comprise a family
of about 200 secondary metabolites produced by the fungi Fusarium,
Myrothecium and Stachybotrys during growth in food (Grove,
2000). These compounds contain substituent groups that significantly
are related to their toxic potential. Edwards (2004) reported
the environmental conditions that favor 4-deoxynivalenol (DON)
accumulation in food crops. In particular nitrogen fertilizers, minimal
tillage, application of azoxystrobin (fungicide) or glyphosate
(herbicide), and cultivation of grains where maize had been grown
the previous year were the main recognized risk factors related to
increased DON accumulation.