Editing Mycotoxin (section)

==Production==
Most fungi are [[aerobic organism|aerobic]] (use oxygen) and are found almost everywhere in extremely small quantities due to the diminutive size of their [[spore]]s. They consume [[organic matter]] wherever [[humidity]] and [[temperature]] are sufficient. Where conditions are right, fungi [[cell growth|proliferate]] into [[colony (biology)|colonies]] and mycotoxin levels become high. The reason for the production of mycotoxins is not yet known; they are not necessary for the growth or the development of the fungi.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Fox EM, Howlett BJ |title=Secondary metabolism: regulation and role in fungal biology |journal=Curr. Opin. Microbiol. |volume=11 |issue=6 |pages=481–87 |year=2008 |pmid=18973828 |doi=10.1016/j.mib.2008.10.007}}</ref> Because mycotoxins weaken the receiving host, they may improve the environment for further fungal proliferation. The production of toxins depends on the surrounding intrinsic and extrinsic environments and these substances vary greatly in their toxicity, depending on the organism infected and its susceptibility, metabolism, and defense mechanisms.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Hussein HS, Brasel JM |title=Toxicity, metabolism, and impact of mycotoxins on humans and animals |journal=Toxicology |volume=167 |issue=2 |pages=101–34 |year=2001 |pmid=11567776 |doi=10.1016/S0300-483X(01)00471-1|bibcode=2001Toxgy.167..101H }}</ref>