Occurrence, mitigation and in vitro cytotoxicity of nivalenol, a type B trichothecene mycotoxin – Updates from the last decade (2010–2020)

The present review aims to give an overview of the literature of the last decade (2010–2020) concerning the occurrence of the type B trichothecene mycotoxin nivalenol (NIV) and its in vitro toxicity, with the purpose of updating information regarding last researches on this mycotoxin. The most recent studies on the possible methods for preventing Fusarium spp. growth and NIV production are also discussed. Recently, various environmental factors have been shown to influence strongly NIV occurrence. However, Fusarium spp. of the NIV genotype have been found almost worldwide. With regard to NIV cytotoxicity, NIV has been reported to cause a marked decrease in cell proliferation in different mammalian cells. In particular, the recent data suggest that organs containing actively proliferating cells represent the main targets of NIV. Moreover, NIV resulted to cause immunosuppression, gastrointestinal toxicity and genotoxicity. However, sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is currently lacking, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a group 3 carcinogen. Further researches and the discovery of effective treatment strategies to prevent NIV contamination and to counteract its toxicity are urgently required against this common food-borne threat to human health and livestock.