The MyToolbox EU-China Partnership-Progress and Future Directions in Mycotoxin Research and Management.

John Leslie,Alexandra Malachová,Songxue Wang,Hans Van Egmond,Michele Suman,Birgit Poschmaier,Monique De Nijs,Rudolf Krska,Zhen Jin,Gerd Schatzmayr,Ferenc Bagi,Jing Zhou

doi:10.3390/toxins12110712

Abstract

Affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors along the chain are required to efficiently reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination of crops, feeds and foods. Developing new tools and enhancing existing ones was the mission of MyToolBox—a four-year EU-project that included important Chinese partners and joint research efforts. To identify future directions in mycotoxin research and management in China and their role in China–EU relations, a unique stakeholder workshop including group discussions was organized in Beijing. Six related topics: biocontrol, forecasting, sampling and analysis, silo management, detoxification, and the development of safe use options for contaminated materials were covered. The discussions clearly identified a critical need for smart, integrated strategies to address mycotoxin issues to attain safer food and feed, and to minimize losses and export rejections. Managing data on when, where and the size of mycotoxin contamination events and identifying the institution(s) to manage them are complex issues in China. Studies of microbes and novel, genetically-altered enzymes to limit pre-harvest contamination and to manage post-harvest product detoxification and alternate uses of contaminated materials are in the early stages in China. Further efforts are needed to increase the visibility of mycotoxin problems beyond the scientific and research communities.

Highlights

IntroductionUp to 80% of food items of plant origin worldwide are estimated to be contaminated with mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, at levels above the limit of detection (LOD) [1]
Up to 80% of food items of plant origin worldwide are estimated to be contaminated with mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, at levels above the limit of detection (LOD) [1].Mycotoxins threaten the health and productivity of humans and domesticated animals through dietary exposure at both acute and sub-acute contamination levels in the diet [2,3]
Hot, dry conditions that exacerbate plant stress will increase the contamination of food and feed with carcinogenic aflatoxins [5]

Summary

Introduction

Up to 80% of food items of plant origin worldwide are estimated to be contaminated with mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, at levels above the limit of detection (LOD) [1]. Mycotoxins threaten the health and productivity of humans and domesticated animals through dietary exposure at both acute and sub-acute contamination levels in the diet [2,3]. Hot, dry conditions that exacerbate plant stress will increase the contamination of food and feed with carcinogenic aflatoxins [5]. Cumulative exposure to mycotoxins can be reduced by careful management of these natural toxins across the food and feed production chains. Mitigation strategies developed in Europe, China and other parts of the world have helped to reduce the absolute number of highly contaminated batches of raw food and feedstuffs in Europe [1]

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Conclusion