Mycotoxin contamination of agricultural commodities remains a global concern due to the harm it can cause to human and animal health. These potent food and feed contaminants are low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites derived from fungi, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, Claviceps, and Fusarium. Mycotoxins are arguably the most significant non-synthetic toxins, with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) being the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known to man. In addition to health issues, mycotoxins have significant socioeconomic effects on societies worldwide, especially in developing countries.

To address their prevalence and associated harmful effects, there are stringent regulations on permissible limits of mycotoxins in various food and feed products. As a result, routine surveillance of these agricultural commodities is necessary, particularly in light of the globalization of the food supply chain and the continued emergence of new fungal toxins. This makes analysis a critical component of mycotoxin control and management, and therefore, there is a perpetual quest for more efficient, environmentally friendly, robust, and sensitive analytical methods.

This Methods Collection offers practical demonstrations of standardized mycotoxin analytical protocols, both qualitative and quantitative, including sample preparation, spectroscopic detection methods, chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, quantum dots, immune assays, and lateral flow methods.