Photocatalytic Degradation of Mycotoxins by Heterogeneous Photocatalysts

Mycotoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites that can pose a serious threat to food safety, human health, and the environment. As a promising detoxification method, photocatalysis has shown great potential for mycotoxin degradation due to its high efficiency, low cost, and green advantages. Heterogeneous photocatalysis using a semiconductor as a mediator is now regarded as an effective approach for mycotoxin degradation. The aim of this study was to review the recent developments, mainly in the photocatalytic degradation of mycotoxin (e.g., AFB1, FB1, DON, and ZEN). The principle, feasibility, and main semiconducting catalysts of mycotoxin photodegradation are introduced and discussed, including metal oxides (transition, noble, and rare earth metals), carbons (graphene, carbon nitride, and biochar) and other composites (MOFs and LDHs). This review will contribute to the development of semiconductor photocatalysts and photocatalytic degradation for mycotoxins decontamination.