Instant Insights: Mycotoxin detection and control

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on mycotoxin control in agriculture.

The first chapter reviews advances in post-harvest detection and control of fungal contaminants in cereals. It examines abiotic factors affecting spoilage, methods for early detection of contamination and the range control measures for preventing toxin growth.

The second chapter focuses on post-harvest storage and handling practices of barley grain and how these methods can be used to mitigate mycotoxin issues. The chapter also reviews the various mycotoxins and fungi that are associated with barley.

The third chapter considers the current strategies available to prevent mycotoxin contamination in groundnut cultivation, focussing on peanuts. It also covers models that predict contamination, as well as the challenges associated with research and quantification of aflatoxin.

The fourth chapter presents an overview of the current understanding of mycotoxin contamination of cocoa. The chapter summarises the various methods available to aid detection of mycotoxins and control further contamination.

The final chapter addresses the critical safety issue of mycotoxin contamination of food waste planned for re-use. It reviews factors affecting mycotoxin growth and the particular problem of masked mycotoxins.