The investigation of mycotoxins is the topic of current concern in food production at present, when the food quality is often replaced by only quantitative criteria of production. Special attention attracts the potential use of mycotoxins in terrorist attacks. In contrast, some of the compounds can find interesting pharmaceutical use. The paper is dedicated to the 55^th anniversary of discovery of trichothecenes, which were first found in the Trichothecium roseum fungus appearing as a natural contaminant in some agricultural commodities.