BOOK REVIEW LIVRO^*

SAMSON, Robert A.; HOEKSTRA, Ellen S.; FRISVAD, Jens C. & FILTENBORG, Ole - Introduction to food-born fungi. Baarn, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, 1995. 322p. illust. ISBN: 90-70351-27-7

Introduction to food-born fungi, by Robert A. Samson, Ellen S. Hoekstra, Jens C. Frisvad and Ole Filtenborg, is an indispensable text for any Mycology library, a most valuable contribution to the study of filamentous fungi present in food, many of them producing mycotoxins, whose detection is also described. The book cover has an illustration of conidiophores with fialids and conidial chains of Penicillium roqueforti. This publication is the result of collaborative work between Dutch and Danish investigators who direct a renowned Fungal Collection in Baarn (Holland) and an outstanding Department of Biotechnology in Denmark.

The book consists of 9 chapters with an appendix including terms frequently used in Mycology, culture media and extensive literature about mycotoxins. Special chapters devoted to Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Deuteromycete and yeasts, with excellent illustrative documentation, are particularly outstanding in this volume, which is obligatory reading for those who devote their time to medical or environmental Mycology.

The mycotoxins produced by fungi isolated from food are described in a special chapter. The metabolites of some of these fungi may be toxic to man and other animals even in small concentrations. Some of them are teratogenic and mutagenic. The genera Aspergillus, Fusariurn, Penicillium and Alternaria are emphasized because of their ability to produce mycotoxins. Mycologists will find in this magnificent book a treasure of information for the identification of fungi isolated from the air and from food considered to be contaminants. The classification keys for the different genera are practical, always illustrated with photographs of regular size as well as photomicrographs, significantly facilitating the classification of the various fungal species. It is a timely book written in a clear and objective manner, with a wealth of information that commends the authors and is a tribute to Mycology.

Prof. Carlos da Silva Lacaz

Chefe do Laboratório de Micologia Médica

Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo

Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures

P.O. Box 273. 3740 AG Baarn - The Netherlands

Tel: [phone] / Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

*

This book is available at the Library of Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  22 Sept 2006
• Date of issue
  June 1996