Fumonisins are mycotoxins mainly produced by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium verticillioides. Because of their wide distribution, the potential health hazard, and economic significance, they are considered one of the most important mycotoxin classes. Epidemiological evidence suggests a relationship between the Fusarium load in corn, exposure to fumonisins, and esophageal cancer. However, mechanisms of actions of fumonisins are not yet fully resolved and epidemiological studies suffer from various confounding factors. Correspondingly, the most relevant congener of the fumonisin family (fumonisin B₁) has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and maximum limits have been set for corn and corn‐based products. However, many non‐corn‐based products are also susceptible to fumonisin contamination. Indeed, some of them contain very high amounts of fumonisins, but enter the market legally. Furthermore, fumonisin exposure of consumers is probably consistently being underestimated because only a fraction of fumonisins can be detected by routine analysis. The bioavailability and toxicity of most nondetectable (cryptic) forms has not been resolved. In this work, we review the developments of cancer research into fumonisins since their discovery in 1988 until today and provide an overview of the contributions of various foodstuffs to fumonisin exposure, including those products that have been largely neglected in the past. In conclusion, (1) corn remains the principal source of fumonisin ingestion, but fumonisins in non‐corn‐based commodities require continuous monitoring; (2) cryptic fumonisins should be included in risk assessment studies; and (3) certain population groups (for example children) may suffer from enhanced exposure and could face increased health risks.

中文翻译：

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伏马菌素及其隐性衍生物的暴露，发生和化学

伏马菌素是真菌毒素，主要由镰刀菌（Fusarium proliferatum）和镰刀菌（Fusarium v​​erticillioides）产生。由于它们的广泛分布，潜在的健康危害和经济意义，它们被认为是最重要的霉菌毒素类别之一。流行病学证据表明，玉米中镰刀菌载量，伏马菌素暴露与食道癌之间存在相关性。但是，伏马菌素的作用机理尚未完全解决，流行病学研究受到各种混杂因素的影响。相应地，伏马菌素家族（fumonisin B ₁）已被列为可能对人类致癌的物质，并且已为玉米和玉米基产品设定了最大限量。但是，许多非基于玉米的产品也容易受到伏马毒素的污染。确实，其中一些含有大量的伏马毒素，但合法进入市场。此外，消费者的伏马菌素暴露可能一直被低估，因为常规分析只能检测到一部分伏马菌素。大多数不可检测（隐性）形式的生物利用度和毒性尚未解决。在这项工作中，我们回顾了自1988年发现伏马菌素以来的癌症研究进展，直至今天，并概述了各种食品对伏马菌素暴露的贡献，包括过去被很大程度上忽略的产品。综上所述，（1）玉米仍然是伏马菌素摄入的主要来源，但非玉米类商品中的伏马菌素需要持续监测；（2）隐伏伏马菌素应纳入风险评估研究中；（3）某些人群（例如儿童）可能会增加暴露，并可能面临更大的健康风险。