Mycotoxins in Food and Feed: Present Status and Future Concerns
Rajeev Bhat1, Ravishankar V Rai1, A A Karim1
1Authors Bhat and Karim are with Food Technology Div., School of Industrial Technology, Univ. Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia. Author Rai is with Dept. of Microbiology, Univ. of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore 570 006, India. Direct inquiries to author Bhat (E-mail: rajeevbhat1304@gmail.com).
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety
|January 20, 2021
Summary
Fungal contamination of food and feed with toxic mycotoxins poses global health risks. This review covers mycotoxin occurrence, risks, legislation, and detection/detoxification methods for enhanced food safety.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Toxicology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Food and feed contamination by fungi producing toxic mycotoxins is a significant global health concern.
- Mycotoxins are low-molecular-weight fungal secondary metabolites linked to severe health issues, including cancer and neurological disorders.
- Ensuring food safety necessitates consumer awareness and advanced detection and inactivation methods for mycotoxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the occurrence and risks of various mycotoxins in food and feed.
- To summarize current legislation and detoxification strategies for mycotoxins.
- To highlight recent advancements in mycotoxin detection methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on mycotoxin occurrence, toxicity, legislation, and control measures.
- Compilation of data on human and livestock health risks associated with mycotoxin exposure.
- Inclusion of recent developments in analytical techniques for mycotoxin detection.
Main Results:
- Mycotoxins are widespread contaminants in food and feed, presenting serious health risks.
- Existing legislation addresses mycotoxin levels, but challenges remain in global harmonization.
- Various detoxification methods are practiced, with ongoing research into more effective strategies.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive understanding of mycotoxins is crucial for food safety.
- Continued research is needed to address knowledge gaps in mycotoxin detection and control.
- Collaboration between consumers and experts is vital for mitigating mycotoxin risks.
More Related Videos
09:21Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.
Published on: February 15, 2019
10.8K
10:01Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
Published on: April 23, 2012
18.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:36Types of Toxins
2.9K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
2.9K
01:27Microorganisms in Agriculture and Food industry
871
Microorganisms play a crucial role in agriculture and the food industry, contributing to soil fertility, crop protection, and food production. Their functions range from nitrogen fixation and biopesticide production to fermentation and food preservation, making them indispensable to sustainable farming and food safety.Role in AgricultureNitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium (symbiotic) and Azotobacter (free-living), convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia through biological nitrogen...
871
01:29Overview of Fungi
911
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
911
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
655
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
655
01:26Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota
563
Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
563
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
614
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
614