Postharvest treatment of mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products

 

 

Robert V Parsons and Stefan Cenkowski*

Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

 

 

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review summarises current knowledge on the status of postharvest treatment approaches for mitigating mycotoxins, focusing on detoxification or decontamination methods that inactivate mycotoxin compounds by removing, binding, modifying or otherwise destroying them.

Findings: There is no singular solution for mitigating mycotoxins. Rather, there is a diverse array of potential treatment options available that have been recently investigated. The effectiveness of individual methods can vary, based on circumstances and the specific mycotoxin(s) involved.

Directions for future research: A number of research areas have recently increased in prominence, indicating potential for the future. These include: optical recognition technologies for rapid separation and removal of contaminated products; biological binding of mycotoxins using whole microorganisms and potential increased biological sourcing of polymers from biomass as physical absorbents; biological destruction approaches through metabolic degradation and consumption; and selective enzymatic degradation approaches to modify mycotoxins to inactive forms.

 

Keywords: mycotoxin; contamination; treatment; decontaminate; detoxify

 

Stewart Postharvest Review 2008, 6:2

Published online 01 December 2008

doi: 10.2212/spr.2008.6.2