**2. Common mycotoxins in Africa and associated factors that facilitate their prevalence**

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi, especially those members within the *Aspergillus*, *Penicillium*, *Fusarium* and *Alternaria* genera, and notable for their toxigenicity and disease-causing effects amongst humans and animals. Different studies on mycotoxins since the discovery of AF in early 1960s have led to the identification of over 300 mycotoxins, few of which have received significant attention due to their health and economic importance.
