Mycotoxins in Grains: Toxicological Impact, Detection Strategies, and Public Health Implications

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page : 8 18
    By

    V. Basil Hans,

  1. Research Professor, Department of Management and Commerce, Srinivas University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Many types of fungi create mycotoxins, which contaminate cereal grains like wheat, maize, rice, and barley. Even at low doses, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, and deoxynivalenol are harmful to humans and animals. This study covers mycotoxin occurrence, detection, toxicological consequences, and public health concerns in grain-based food systems. Advanced analytical methods, like LC–MS, ELISA, and biosensors, are discussed for their sensitivity and routine monitoring applications. Experimental and epidemiological studies analyze chronic mycotoxin exposure’s hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunosuppression, and carcinogenicity. Global agencies’ regulatory frameworks and safety restrictions are also examined, revealing differences and issues in underdeveloped countries. Finally, to decrease exposure and protect public health, the study stresses the need for coordinated mitigation solutions across the grain supply chain, including preharvest management, postharvest storage, and consumer education.

Keywords: Rain contamination, mycotoxins, food safety, toxicity, detection methods, public health, fungal metabolites

[This article belongs to Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology ]

How to cite this article:
V. Basil Hans. Mycotoxins in Grains: Toxicological Impact, Detection Strategies, and Public Health Implications. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2025; 15(03):8-18.
How to cite this URL:
V. Basil Hans. Mycotoxins in Grains: Toxicological Impact, Detection Strategies, and Public Health Implications. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Toxicology. 2025; 15(03):8-18. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjot/article=2025/view=233361


References

  1. Alshannaq A, Yu J-H. Occurrence, toxicity, and analysis of major mycotoxins in food. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(6):632. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14060632.
  2. Deligeorgakis G, Magro F, Skendi A, Gebrehiwot H, Valdramidis V, Papageorgiou M. Fungal and toxin contaminants in cereal grains and flours: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Foods. 2023;12(23):4328. doi: 10.3390/foods12234328.
  3. Food and Agriculture Organization. Grain mycotoxins: Causes, prevention, and control. Rome: FAO; 2010 [cited 2025 Aug 29]. Available from: http://www.fao.org.
  4. Kumar P, Mahato DK, Kamle M, Mohanta TK, Kang SG. Aflatoxins: A global concern for food safety, human health and their management. Front Microbiol. 2017:7:2170. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02170.
  5. Waliyar F, Reddy SV, Thakur RP. Effects of mycotoxins on cereals grain feed and fodder quality: CFC Technical Paper No. 34. In: Alternative uses of sorghum and pearl millet in Asia, ICRISAT Asia Centre, Patancheru; 2004.
  6. Kortei NK, Annan T, Kyei-Baffour P, Essuman EK, Okyere H, Tettey CO. Ochratoxins A and aflatoxins in maize (Zea mays) ingested in Ghana’s agro-ecological zones: Exposure and risk. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):23339. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-02822-x.
  7. Liu J, Applegate T. Zearalenone (ZEN) in livestock and poultry: Dose, toxicokinetics, toxicity and estrogenicity. Toxins (Basel). 2020;12(6):377. doi: 10.3390/toxins12060377.
  8. Lou Y, Xu Q, Chen J, Yang S, Zhu Z, Chen D. Advancements in sample preparation methods for the chromatographic and mass spectrometric determination of zearalenone and its metabolites in food: An overview. Foods. 2023;12(19):3558. doi: 10.3390/foods12193558.
  9. Zhang C, Qu Z, Hou J, Yao Y. Contamination and control of mycotoxins in grain and oil crops. Microorganisms. 2024;12(3):567. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12030567.
  10. Ortiz R, Ban T, Bandyopadhyay R, Banziger M, Bergvinson D, Hell K, et al. CGIAR research-for-development program on mycotoxins . In: John F. Leslie, R. Bandyopadhyay, A. Visconti, editors. Mycotoxins: Detection Methods, Management, Public Health and Agricultural Trade. Wallingford: CABI; 2008. pp. 415–422, doi: 10.1079/9781845930820.0413.
  11. Garcia-Cela E, Kiaitsi E, Sulyok M, Krska R, Medina A, Petit Damico I, et al. The impact of storage conditions on maize grain: CO₂ production, dry matter loss, and aflatoxins contamination. Food Addit Contam Part A. 2019;36(1):175–85. doi: 10.1080/19440049.2018.1556403.
  12. Janik E, Niemcewicz M, Podgórski M, Ceremuga M, et al. Mycotoxin detection methods: Old and new. Toxins. 2021. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  13. Limsuwan S. Mycotoxin analysis method development, evaluation, and application. 2011.
  14. Li R, Wen Y, Wang F, He P. Immunoassays and biosensors for mycotoxin detection in feeds and foods: Recent breakthroughs. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2021;12:108. doi: 10.1186/s40104-021-00629-4.
  15. Awuchi CG, Ondari EN, Nwozo S, Odongo GA, Eseoghene IJ, Twinomuhwezi H, et al. Mycotoxins’ toxicological mechanisms involving humans, livestock and their associated health concerns: A review. Toxins (Basel). 2022;14(3):167. doi: 10.3390/toxins14030167.
  16. Ekwomadu T, Mwanza M, Musekiwa A. Mycotoxin-linked mutations and cancer risk: A global health issue. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(13):7754. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19137754.
  17. Chilaka CA, Mally A. Mycotoxin occurrence, exposure, and health effects in infants and young children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Foods. 2020;9(11):1585. doi: 10.3390/foods9111585.
  18. Chatterjee S, Dhole A, Krishnan AA, Banerjee K. Mycotoxin monitoring, regulation, and analysis in India: A success story. Foods. 2023;12(4):705. doi: 10.3390/foods12040705.
  19. Imade F, Ankwasa EM, Geng H, Ullah S, Ahmad T, Wang G, et al. African food and feed mycotoxin contamination and safety updates, focusing on Nigeria. Mycology. 2021;12(4):245–260. doi: 10.1080/21501203.2021.1941371.
  20. Muñoz K, Wagner M, Pauli F, Christ J, Reese G. Knowledge and behaviour to reduce mycotoxin dietary exposure at home among German university students. Toxins (Basel). 2021;13(11):760. doi: 10.3390/toxins13110760.
  21. Karlovsky P, Suman M, Berthiller F, De Meester J, Eisenbrand G, Perrin I, et al. Detoxification and food processing affect mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxin Res. 2016;32(4):179–205. doi: 10.1007/s12550-016-0257-7.
  22. Mesterházy Á. Food safety aspects of breeding maize to multi-resistance against major (Fusarium graminearum, F. verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus) and minor toxigenic fungi (Fusarium spp.) and toxin accumulation: Trends and solutions—A review. J Fungi (Basel). 2024;10(1):40. doi: 10.3390/jof10010040.
  23. Schmidt M, Zannini E, Arendt EK. Recent advances in physical post-harvest treatments for shelf-life extension of cereal crops. Foods. 2018;7(4):45. doi: 10.3390/foods7040045.
  24. Schmidt M, Zannini E, Arendt EK. Recent advances in physical post-harvest treatments for shelf-life extension of cereal crops. Foods. 2018;7(4):45. doi: 10.3390/foods7040045.
  25. Omotayo OP, Omotayo AO, Mwanza M, Babalola OO. Prevalence of mycotoxins and their consequences on human health. Toxicol Res. 2018;35(1):1–7. doi: 10.5487/TR.2019.35.1.001.
  26. Ali S, Freire LGD, Rezende VT, Noman M, Ullah S, Abdullah, et al. Occurrence of mycotoxins in foods: Unraveling the knowledge gaps on their persistence in food production systems. Foods. 2023;12(23):4314. doi: 10.3390/foods12234314.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 29/08/2025
Accepted 11/09/2025
Published 02/12/2025
Publication Time 95 Days
71

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics