Patulin is produced by variety of molds including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Paecilomyces  and Byssochlamys.

These molds produce patulin most commonly in apple and apple products. Rotting apples and apple products are source of patulin poison.  Patulin poisoning can also occur in various moldy fruits, grains and other foods.

Exposure to Patulin mycotoxin could results in liver damage, neurological disorder functioning, spleen and kidney damage and toxicity to the immune system. For humans, nausea, gastrointestinal trouble and vomiting are other symptoms.

Assessment of risks to humans has led many countries to regulate the patulin amount in food.

Image credit: Image by Wolfgang Eckert from Pixabay  (CC by 0)