Silent Saboteurs: Decoding Mycotoxins—From Chemistry and Prevalence to Health Risks, Detection, Management and Emerging Frontiers

Abstract

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi, pose significant threats to global food safety, public health, and agricultural sustainability. This review summarizes the classification, biosynthesis, chemistry, and mechanisms of action of these compounds, and highlights their global prevalence and the serious health consequences of both acute and chronic exposure. Despite decades of research, substantial gaps remain in effective surveillance, prevention, and risk management. Traditional control and detection strategies, although valuable, are often limited by their sensitivity, high costs, and inadequate field applicability. Addressing these gaps, this review emphasizes the potential of emerging technologies, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with advanced sensing platforms, to revolutionize mycotoxin detection. These innovations offer enhanced precision, real-time monitoring, and predictive modelling capabilities, paving the way for proactive food safety systems. By critically evaluating current knowledge and exploring future-oriented solutions, this review highlights the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate molecular insights, biotechnological advancements, and digital technologies. Finally, we emphasize that adopting these novel strategies is essential to overcoming the silent yet profound global impact of mycotoxins.