Mycotoxins in a changing global environment--a review.
A G Marroquín-Cardona1, N M Johnson2, T D Phillips3
1Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Escobedo, Nuevo León 66050, Mexico.
Summary
Mycotoxins, toxic fungal metabolites in staple foods, pose unavoidable health risks. Climate change and evolving fungal adaptations complicate control, necessitating adaptive strategies for food safety.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Toxicology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Mycotoxins are toxic fungal metabolites contaminating staple foods globally, posing significant health risks.
- These toxins include immunosuppressive, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and neurotoxic agents.
- Climate change and evolving fungal adaptations present challenges to mycotoxin control and food safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges in controlling mycotoxin exposure amidst a changing global environment.
- To underscore the need for adaptive strategies balancing global standards with practical feasibility.
- To emphasize research-based approaches for reducing mycotoxin exposure.
Main Methods:
- Review of current knowledge on mycotoxin contamination in staple foods.
- Analysis of environmental and climate change impacts on mycotoxin production and prevalence.
- Examination of technological advancements and knowledge gaps in mycotoxin detection and control.
Main Results:
- Mycotoxin contamination is an unavoidable global issue, particularly in cereals like rice, maize, and wheat.
- Emerging mycotoxins, interactions between toxins, and climate-related factors complicate control efforts.
- Increased adverse health effects from mycotoxins are anticipated due to co-adaptation of humans and fungi.
Conclusions:
- Stricter mycotoxin control is challenged by environmental changes and fungal adaptation.
- Balancing global standards with producer limitations is crucial for food quality and safety.
- Developing adaptive, research-driven strategies is essential to mitigate future mycotoxin risks.
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