NOTE!!  THIS PAGE IS AN ONGOING PROJECT.  THE RESEARCH ON MULTIPLE NEUTRALIZING AGENTS IS FINISHED, BUT THE INFORMATION HAS NOT YET BEEN POSTED TO THIS PAGE.  PLEASE BE PATIENT AS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT THAT GETS WORKED ON EACH MONTH AND MORE DATA GETS ADDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

Neutralizing Mycotoxin

The most ignored, misunderstood & dangerous part of toxic mold

Mycotoxins are a large group of secondary metabolic products from fungi, or molds, which pose serious risks for human and animal health. Fungal growth and mycotoxin production may occur anywhere these species of molds grow under suitable temperature and humidity conditions.  Mycotoxin occurs widely in foods and indoor environments. 

Contamination of surfaces and possessions can be devastating to humans, animals and even plant life that are exposed to these chemically-derived metabolites.  Understanding the difference between Mold Spores and the Secondary Metabolites (Mycotoxins) produced by Mold Spores is one of the most important things you can know about toxic mold exposure.  In fact, the number one reason for illness and why homes, surfaces and possessions cannot be ignored and must be either thrown away or decontaminated is because of "mycotoxin". 

The 3 main ways to eliminate mycotoxin

Several approaches to reducing mycotoxins have been scientifically studied.  Not all methods can be utilized for both the environment AND human/animals.  Keeping the safety of humans and animals as a priority in both is where we must focus our research and application of methods used.

1. Chemical Removal/Chemical Reaction
2. Physical Binding
3. Microbial Degradation

Mycotoxin is the invisible "chemical" byproduct or (metabolyte) that is created and excreted by the spore itself.  Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi spores they are considered to be harmful to health and are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. Because of their pharmacological activity, some mycotoxins or mycotoxin derivatives have found use as antibiotics, growth promotants, and other kinds of drugs; The enzymes and mycotoxins that toxigenic molds produce can also inhibit the growth of other molds and microorganisms.  Others have been implicated as chemical warfare agents. The most important mycotoxins that are associated with human and veterinary diseases, include aflatoxin, citrinin, ergot akaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone.  Mycotoxin is "TOXIC" and not allergenic.  Mycotoxin is what makes some mold species "toxic molds" because they produce toxic secondary metabolytes called mycotoxin that destroy DNA and kill living cells.  Mycotoxin causes toxic poisoning. 

EC3 solutions are an all-natural botanical surfactant that removes mold spores, neutralizes mycotoxin, kills bacteria, and eliminates musty smells from hard and soft surfaces with no harmful chemicals and can be used to decrease the overall mold load in your indoor environments.  

This patented, non-toxic solution contains a proprietary blend of citrus seed extracts designed to control mold levels in your home where you suspect mold growth. Additionally, independent laboratory test confirms the efficacy of EC3 Mold Solution.  Spraying and misting EC3 Mold Solution are ways to remove mold spores and bacteria that naturally float in the air and land on all surfaces including hard surfaces like counter tops, furniture and floors, and soft surfaces like drapes, furniture, and carpets.  It is most effective when followed by HEPA vacuuming to physically remove debris.    

Control musty smells on non-washable textiles and furniture.  EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate is safe for use on all materials, surfaces, and fabrics and is safe to be used around children and pets.  It does not contain harmful chemicals and is non-toxic.  

EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate should be diluted per package instructions and used in a spray bottle, mister, or fogger to treat larger areas.  

Using EC3 Mold Solution Concentrate regularly is a vital part of the Environmental Treatment Protocol developed by Dr. Don Dennis, board certified Ear, Nose and Throat MD FACS to reduce mold counts indoors.  Read below, the independent Laboratory report on EC3 products effectiveness.  

Ammonia has been used in the food industry for centuries to kill small concentrations of mold spores and to "Chemically inactivate" mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins and mold spores can be cleaned on ONLY "non-porous" items (like on my "saving your possessions" chart on the website) but only using "ammonia". Ammonia is actually the only known (natural) substance "to us", to actually change the molecular structure of both the spore and the mycotoxin metabolite.

The agriculture and farm industry have known this for centuries. This is why they treat a lot of your food and grains with an ammonia wash before bringing it to the general public. Ammonia is what protects humans and animals from dying of mycotoxin poisoning in our food.This study also shows that not only does it work but it is also safe for animals and humans to eat and there is no toxic effect from consuming food treated by ammonia. In fact ammonia is produced by animals, plants and in the human body.

Ammonia & Mycotoxin Research

Trichothecene

• Trichothecene Deoxynivalenol {DON} (mycotoxin) -
   https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00576995/document [from Fusarium mold species]
• Successful treatment of T-2 (Trichothecene mycotoxin) with aqueous ammonia
  http://aem.asm.org/content/27/2/423.full.pdf
• In Vitro Metabolism of T-2 Toxin (aka Trichothecene control using ammonia)
  http://aem.asm.org/content/27/2/423.full.pdf
• Ammonia and proven in study to break down trichothecene bands
  http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/144 

Aflatoxin

• Ammonia proven to be an efficient and safe practical solution to aflatoxin (mycotoxin) detoxification in foods and animal feeds
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8504873
• Ammonia at 1% concentration able to eliminate 85% of aflatoxin mycotoxin
  http://bit.ly/2FJuIGO

Ochratoxin

• Grain storage and the control of mycotoxins using ammonia
  http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1838e/T1838E0c.htm
• Effectiveness of ammonia treatment in detoxification of fumonism contaminated corn
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1765326
• Overwhelming support for the efficacy and safety of ammoniation as a practical solution to aflatoxin detoxification in animal feeds.
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3047098
• Ammonia kills spoilage molds in corn
  http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/31280/PDF
• Inhibition of the tempe mould, Rhizopus oligosporus, by ammonia
  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00591.x/fullI
• The control of Mycotoxins
  http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1838e/T1838E0c.htm
• Effective use of gaseous ammonia in indoor toxic molds
  http://cmr.asm.org/content/16/1/144.full
• Mycotoxin prevention - Ammonia on the list of "safe to use" on food
  http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5036e/x5036e0q.htm
• Neutralization with ammonia of mycotoxins produced by penicillium 
  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0278691587903048

Studies on Probiotic strains of bacteria and their effect on Mycotoxin 

Role of Probiotics Against Mycotoxins and Their Deleterious Effects

Review on biological degradation of mycotoxins that include Strains of positive bacteria

Quite a few essential oils have been proven in studies to not only kill mold species but also inhibit the production of and neutralize the effects of mycotoxin.  The following oils show effectiveness and neutralization in studies. Caraway, Cedarwood, Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Citronella, Copaiba, Cumin, Dill, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Geranium, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, LemonGrass, Melissa (Lemon Balm), Manuka, Myrrh, Oregano, Patchouli, Peppermint, Ravensara, Rose Geranium, Sage, Spikenard, Tea Trea, Thyme, Ziziphora (not shown or available). 

Several products fall under the "Essential Oils" category including - Thieves cleaners, Benefect, Bioesque and Ec3 is also considered an Essential Oil based neutralizer you can find here on this page above. 

• Tea Tree (Melaleuca) -Effect of tea tree essential oil on microorganisms and Evaluation of fungal reaction to tea tree oil under different conditions against 11 isolates of airborne fungi: Chaetomium globosum, Stachy-botrys chartarum (= S. atra) and Ulocladium atrum (= Stemphylium atrum).  
• Lemongrass, Fennel, Caraway: Effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production: a potential source of botanical food preservative http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025292/
• Melissa (Lemon Balm), Sage, Coriander, Thyme, Cinnamon, Peppermint: Assessment of inhibitory potential of essential oils on natural mycoflora and Fusarium mycotoxins production in wheat  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3598923/
• Cinnamon, Lemon & Clove: on Aspergillus ochraceus growth and Ochratoxin A:  Inhibitory effect of essential oils on Aspergillus ochraceus growth and ochratoxin A production.
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25255251
• Antifungal activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil and thymol against moulds from damp dwellings. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17209812\
• Thyme: (Water Damaged molds) https://eurekamag.com/research/012/902/012902758.php
• Dill: The Mechanism of Antifungal Action of Essential Oil from Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) on Aspergillus flavus  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3260232/
• Effect of Cinnamon Essential Oils against Fusarium mycotoxins
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26227503
• Oregano Essential Oil inhibits toxigenic Aspergillus
  http://www.scielo.br/pdf/cta/v30n3/v30n3a29.pdf
• In vitro activity of essential oils extracted from condiments against fluconazole-resistant and -sensitive Candida glabrata.
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26281965
• Spice oils for the control of co-occurring mycotoxin-producing fungi. (Clove, Cinnamon, Oregano) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11952220
• Effect of oil extracted from some medicinal plants on different mycotoxigenic fungi. (Thyme, Spearmint, Basil, Cinnamon, Quyssum, Caraway, Anise, Chamomile, Hazenbul
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12176092
• Effect of Clove, Cumin & Thyme Essential Oils on Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium Mycotoxins
  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03235408.2012.713799
• Effects of lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus and palmarosa essential oils on Zearalenone Mycotoxins
  http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2016.01224/full

Benefect product is derived from Thyme Essential Oil.  Thyme essential oil has been proven in many scientific studies to not only kill mold spores but also neutralize the mycotoxins produced by various types of toxigenic molds.  Benefect can be used after remediation to completey neutralize an entire home and all of it's "NON" porous contents.  Benefect is not intended to be diluted and must be used straight.  It is not intended to be wiped or washed away.  

Thyme Essential Oil and Thymol extract research

• Antifungal activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil and thymol against moulds from damp dwellings. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17209812\ 
• Antifungal activity of Thymol - https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2006.02032.x
• Thyme: (Water Damaged molds) https://eurekamag.com/research/012/902/012902758.php

Chlorine Dioxide & Mold/Mycotoxin Research

• Effect of Chlorine Dioxide Gas on Fungi and Mycotoxins Associated with Sick Building Syndromehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1214660/pdf/2350-04.pdf 
• Chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant - https://www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-chlorine-dioxide.htm
• Chlorine dioxide is only 89% effective against Chaetomium Species: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16151130/

Misc.  Sources and Scientific Reads

• Review on biological degradation of mycotoxins
• Biological degradation of 3 specific "crop" mycotoxins ( Aflatoxin (AF), zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON), specifically. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5941024/

Borax

Baking Soda 

Hydrogen Peroxide - 

• Creates initial inhibition, but does not destroy spore or break up the molecular structure of mycotoxin metabolite.  This study here shows it only works on a temporary basis, but causes the spores to later become viable or activated again.  Summary:  it is not a permanent solution to eliminate mold and mycotoxin when saving possessions or remediating a space. 

Vinegar

Castile Soap

Chlorine Bleach:

• Creates initial inhibition, but does not destroy spore or break up the molecular structure of mycotoxin metabolite. This study here shows it only works on a temporary basis, but causes the spores to later become viable or activated again.  Summary:  it is not a permanent solution to eliminate mold and mycotoxin when saving possessions or remediating a space. 
• See our additional article on dangers of bleach

Lysol

Epsom Salt

Salt

Vinegar/Baking Soda mixed = Salt

Isopropyl Alcohol  - has very limited scientific studies but shows it is not very effective: 
Creates initial inhibition, but does not destroy spore or break up the molecular structure of mycotoxin metabolite. 

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4483703/
• This study here shows it only works on a temporary basis, but causes the spores to later become viable or activated again.  Summary:  it is not a permanent solution to eliminate mold and mycotoxin when saving possessions or remediating a space.