Detection of mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi in cereal grains using vibrational spectroscopic techniques: a review

Abstract

Nutrition-rich cereal grains and oil seeds are the major sources of food and feed for human and livestock, respectively. Infected by fungi and contaminated with mycotoxins are serious problems worldwide for cereals and oil seeds before and after harvest. The growth and development activities of fungi consume seed nutrients and destroy seed structures, leading to dramatic declines of crop yield and quality. In addition, the toxic secondary metabolites produced by these fungi pose a well-known threat to both human and animals. The existence of fungi and mycotoxins has been a redoubtable problem worldwide for decades but tends to be a severe food safety issue in developing countries and regions, such as China and Africa. Detection of fungal infection at an early stage and of mycotoxin contaminants, even at a small amount, is of great significance to prevent harmful toxins from entering the food supply chains worldwide. This review focuses on the recent advancements in utilising infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging to detect fungal infections and mycotoxin contaminants in cereals and oil seeds worldwide, with an emphasis on recent progress in China. Brief introduction of principles, and corresponding shortcomings, as well as latest advances of each technique, are also being presented herein.

Research advancements in optical imaging and spectroscopic techniques for nondestructive detection of mold infection and mycotoxins in cereal grains and nuts

“…It was estimated that about 25% of the world's food crops are infected by mycotoxigenic molds, out of which cereal grains and nuts are affected the most (Nations, 2015). To detect the molds nondestructively and rapidly, many researchers investigated and reported the application of NIR and Fourier transform near infrared (FTNIR) spectroscopy for detection of pathogenic molds and mycotoxins (Jia et al., 2020). The research methodologies and outcomes are summarized in Table 3.…”

Aflatoxins in Cereals and Cereal-Based Products: Occurrence, Toxicity, Impact on Human Health, and Their Detoxification and Management Strategies

“…Near-infrared spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy, and multispectral and hyperspectral imaging are some commonly used techniques that allow the inexpensive and rapid detection of AFs in cereal grains such as wheat, maize, corn, sorghum, rice, etc. [ 140 , 141 , 142 ]. For instance, Liu et al [ 143 ] applied surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with the QuEChERS sample pre-treatment technique for the trace-level detection of aflatoxin B1 in wheat and corn with high sensitivity and strong specificity.…”

Occurrence of mycotoxins in pulses

“…NIRS is classified as an optical detection method among the rapid detection techniques. Optical methodologies for detecting mycotoxins in cereals and other commodities have been extensively investigated, as shown by reviews on this topic (Jia et al., 2020; Fox & Manley, 2013; Mishra et al., 2021; Tao et al., 2018). These reviews indicate an interest in further developing this type of technology to be applied at the industrial level for real‐time monitoring (e.g., online detection).…”