Which toxic substances are specifically produced by molds during food degradation?
Answer
mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are poisonous substances harmful to both humans and animals, and their production is specifically attributed to certain species of molds growing on food substrates. Molds, being multicellular fungi, degrade food by secreting exoenzymes, but the production of these specific toxins represents the most dangerous aspect of mold spoilage. Lipolytic enzymes are involved in breaking down fats leading to rancidity (a chemical change), polyphenol oxidase is an enzyme responsible for enzymatic browning (a chemical change), and free fatty acids are the resulting compounds from lipid breakdown, not the toxin produced by mold itself.
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