Strategies for controlling and decontaminating mycotoxins in foods and feeds: A review

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical compounds produced by certain genera, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, as by-products of their metabolism (secondary metabolites). They are plant pathogens able to cause infection pre-, during, and post-harvest. The most important and economically-relevant mycotoxins of great concern to humans, plants, and animals are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, and trichothecenes. The present review aimed to compile updated management strategies of mycotoxins in foods and feeds, including control and detoxification techniques. Generally, the strategies are divided into physical, chemical, and biological, and can be implemented during pre-, harvest, and post-harvest. Physical controls pre-harvest includes the development and planting of resistant varieties; during harvest include control of field infections, timely harvest, sufficient drainage, and physical barriers; and post-harvest include storage of harvested commodities under conditions that would prevent and exclude the growth and mycotoxin production by mycotoxigenic fungi. Chemical controls generally involve the use of chemically synthesised fungicides which are often associated with long-term effects on the environment. When compared with chemical and physical controls, biological controls are generally more unique, productive, and environmentally friendly, and when implemented appropriately in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, can collectively control the growth and proliferation of mycotoxigenic, and reduce the incidence of mycotoxin production and contamination in foods and feeds.