Climate Change influence in fungi

Abstract The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2013) and almost the entire scientific community agreed to consider Mediterranean Area as one of most vulnerable regions in world impacts global warming. In this scenario, heat waves, defined by World Meteorological Organization five or more consecutive days reaching a daily maximum temperature at least 5 °C higher than average temperature, have been recently foreseen be particularly frequent intense Portugal. As consequence, agriculture constitutes sensitive sectors that could affected climate change. Among xenobiotics contaminating agricultural crops, mycotoxins (MY) are challenging since their presence represents an economic burden due crops loss serious health effects related for animal human with severe repercussions. Many fungal plant pathogens species from Aspergillus Fusarium genera produce MY harmful health. contamination cereals grains is commonly reported, change scenario can also influence significantly during postharvest phase having implications food security safety aspects. Additionally, it specific increase leading use azole-based fungicides. Azole-based fungicides used antifungals control fungi production crops. However, excessive long-term azole has led emergence acquired resistance some pathogenic trigger potential humans toxigenic potential. Overall, changes species, exposure mycotoxins, promote and, consequently, occurence life-threatening infections.