Recent Development of Methods and Techniques in the Detection of Mycotoxins in Agricultural Products

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and possess cytotoxic properties that cause extensive cellular damage. Mycotoxins pose a significant threat to the harvesting and storage of crops as well as potential carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic risks to humans. Currently, 400 mycotoxins have been identified and are threatening the safety of food, especially agricultural products. Therefore, it is important to develop timely, rapid, and accurate methods for the detection of mycotoxins to effectively monitor and assess risks in agricultural products. This review extensively introduces various advanced detection methods toward five common mycotoxins from 2016 to the present, including optical, chromatographic, electrochemical, and some combination methods. Most of the listed methods have good sensitivity, selectivity, and potential for application in various matrices. In particular, numerous reports have focused on the development of advanced sensing technologies for detecting mycotoxins. Sensors based on electrochemical and optical technologies can improve mycotoxin detection by designing novel materials and sensing mechanisms. With the further development of technology, the development of more effective, efficient, convenient, and environmentally friendly sensors and the use of artificial intelligence for data computation can further protect public health and ensure food safety.