Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) are among the most harmful fungal secondary metabolites imposing serious health risks on both household animals and humans. The more frequent occurrence of aflatoxins in the feed and food chain is clearly foreseeable as a consequence of the extreme weather conditions recorded most recently worldwide. Furthermore, production parameters, such as unadjusted variety use and improper cultural practices, can also increase the incidence of contamination. In current aflatoxin control measures, emphasis is put on prevention including a plethora of pre-harvest methods, introduced to control Aspergillus infestations and to avoid the deleterious effects of aflatoxins on public health. Nevertheless, the continuous evaluation and improvement of post-harvest methods to combat these hazardous secondary metabolites are also required. Already in-use and emerging physical methods, such as pulsed electric fields and other nonthermal treatments as well as interventions with chemical agents such as acids, enzymes, gases, and absorbents in animal husbandry have been demonstrated as effective in reducing mycotoxins in feed and food. Although most of them have no disadvantageous effect either on nutritional properties or food safety, further research is needed to ensure the expected efficacy. Nevertheless, we can envisage the rapid spread of these easy-to-use, cost-effective, and safe post-harvest tools during storage and food processing.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are widely known deleterious secondary metabolites produced by various molds
AFs are produced by several Aspergillus species [4], among which Aspergillus flavus, A
The AFB1 decomposing effect of sodium bisulfite, an effective reducing agent relies on the formation of sulfonate derivate [91], which can be significantly enhanced by concomitant heat treatment and the addition of ozone and hydrogen peroxide. Using this technique at 25 ◦ C, a 28% mycotoxin reduction was achieved in AFB1-contaminated dried fig fruits, which efficiency was increased further up to 65% when 0.2% H2 O2 was added 10 min before sodium-bisulfite treatment, and 48 and 68% AFB1 reduction was documented when 45 and 65 ◦ C heat treatment was employed for 1 h after the addition of reducing agent [92]
Summary
Mycotoxins are widely known deleterious secondary metabolites produced by various molds. AFs are transferred into different body parts of animals and humans after consumption and absorption from the gut, and they can even be modified chemically, giving rise to an array of further dangerous derivatives. These harmful compounds such as AFM1 will be eventually excreted and appear even in milk [15]. Recent research activities seem to be shifted towards reducing the AF contents already present in feeds and foods, and several biological, physical, and chemical methods have been tested and evaluated in the mitigation of AFs in this way (Table 1). Traditional and novel technologies and practices for AF mitigation in feed and food are summarized and discussed in this review, paying a special attention to the physical (sorting, dehulling, heating, irradiation, and cold plasma treatment) and chemical (e.g., acidification, ozonation) detoxification methods available in feed and food processing with an emphasis on the most promising novel and innovative approaches and technologies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
