Chapter 2 - Role of nanotechnology in the detection of mycotoxins: a smart approach

Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. They can cause various hazardous effects in both animals and humans by entering in food chain either directly from plant-based food components contaminated with mycotoxins or by indirect contamination from the growth of toxigenic fungi on food. Different conventional methods are available for the detection of mycotoxins, but their limitations associated with sensitivity and specificity restrict their uses up to some extent. However, the recent progress in nanotechnology has demonstrated wide range of applications in detection, diagnosis, and management of pathogens due to the novel properties of nanomaterials. One of the applications that has emerged in the utilization of nanotechnology in agriculture is the detection of mycotoxins and management of mycotoxigenic fungi. The high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles provides improved support for the devolvement of nanosensors through the immobilization of desired biomolecules for signal amplification for the detection of mycotoxins. Among the various nanomaterials, metallic and magnetic nanoparticles are most preferably used in the fabrication of nanosensors for mycotoxin detection. This chapter provides an overview of mycotoxins including their various types and conventional methods available for the detection of mycotoxins. However, special emphasis has been made on the various nanotechnological approaches used for the detection of mycotoxins.