Vioxanthin is a

mycotoxin A mycotoxin (from the Greek μύκης , "fungus" and τοξικός , "poisonous") is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by fungi and is capable of causing disease and death in both humans and other animals. The term 'mycotoxin' is usually rese ...

that was first isolated from the pathogenic fungus '' Trichophyton violaceum'' and characterized in 1966. It is a pigment with a brownish-yellow color. It has since been found to be a constituent of a variety of other fungi including those in the genus ''

Penicillium ''Penicillium'' () is a genus of Ascomycota, ascomycetous fungus, fungi that is part of the mycobiome of many species and is of major importance in the natural environment, in food spoilage, and in food and drug production. Some members of th ...

'' and ''

Aspergillus ' () is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide. ''Aspergillus'' was first catalogued in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pier Antonio Micheli. Viewing the fungi under a microscope, Miche ...

''. The detection of vioxanthin in food products has been used as evidence of contamination with these fungi. A laboratory synthesis of vioxanthin has been reported.

References

{{reflist Mycotoxins Pigments Tetrols Benzoisochromenes