The chemistry of mycotoxins The biological activity of mycotoxins ranges from weak and or sometimes positive effects such as antibacterial activity (see penicillin derivatives derived from Penicillium strains) to strong mutagenic (e. g. aflatoxins patulin) carcinogenic (e. g. aflatoxins) teratogenic neurotoxic (e. g. ochratoxins) nephrotoxic (e. g. fumonisins citrinin) hepatotoxic and immunotoxic (e. g. ochratoxins diketopiperazines) activity. Nowadays many laboratories around the world are specialized in the detection of mycotoxins in food products and contaminated material found in housing. In this volume a focus on the most important classes of mycotoxins is provided and their chemistry of the last ten years is discussed. In each Section the individual biological impact is outlined. Sections are arranged according to mycotoxin classes (e. g. aflatoxins) and or structural classes (e. g. resorcinyl lactones diketopiperazines). The biology of mycotoxins is also described