About this Research Topic
Mycotoxins producing Fungi and their associated mycotoxins pose significant challenges to various industries, including agriculture, food production, and human health. Several fungal species are known to produce mycotoxins, with some of the most prominent ones being Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria. These fungi can contaminate various crops, food and feed and leading to the production of toxic mycotoxins. Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Patulin, Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEN), Fumonisins, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, Alternariol (AOH) and Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) are the most prominent mycotoxins that cause contamination in food and feed. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed can result in acute and chronic health effects, including carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, and neurotoxic effects. Proper management and control of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins are essential for ensuring food security and safeguarding public health.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring biological control strategies as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives for managing mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxin contamination. Biological control involves the use of living organisms or their products to suppress the growth, development, and toxin production of fungi. This approach offers several advantages, including reduced environmental impact, minimal residue accumulation and effect, and the potential for long-term control. Currently, researchers have been actively investigating microbial species, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, with antagonistic properties against pathogenic and mycotoxin producing fungi. Understanding the mechanisms employed by these biocontrol agents, such as the production of antimicrobial compounds and competition for resources is essential for their successful application. Moreover, advancements in biotechnological tools offer promising avenues for enhancing the efficacy and stability of biocontrol agents. Genetic engineering, gene editing, and synthetic biology techniques enable the modification and optimization of biocontrol agents to better combat mycotoxin producing fungi and detoxify mycotoxins. These biotechnological approaches have the potential to revolutionize biological control strategies and significantly improve their performance.
This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in biological control strategies to manage Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins contamination. The objective is to explore novel approaches, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and highlight practical applications that contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable management strategies.
We welcome original research, critical reviews, and mini/short reviews that fall within this area.
The following potential topics are included, but are not limited to:
1- Identification, isolation, and characterization of new microbial biocontrol agents with potential efficacy against Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins.
2- Identification and characterization of novel antifungal compounds.
3-Biological detoxification of Mycotoxins in Food and Feed.
4-Investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which biocontrol agents inhibit the growth, sporulation, and toxin production of Mycotoxins producing fungi.
5-Development and optimization of biocontrol formulations to enhance the stability and efficacy of biocontrol agents.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring biological control strategies as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives for managing mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxin contamination. Biological control involves the use of living organisms or their products to suppress the growth, development, and toxin production of fungi. This approach offers several advantages, including reduced environmental impact, minimal residue accumulation and effect, and the potential for long-term control. Currently, researchers have been actively investigating microbial species, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, with antagonistic properties against pathogenic and mycotoxin producing fungi. Understanding the mechanisms employed by these biocontrol agents, such as the production of antimicrobial compounds and competition for resources is essential for their successful application. Moreover, advancements in biotechnological tools offer promising avenues for enhancing the efficacy and stability of biocontrol agents. Genetic engineering, gene editing, and synthetic biology techniques enable the modification and optimization of biocontrol agents to better combat mycotoxin producing fungi and detoxify mycotoxins. These biotechnological approaches have the potential to revolutionize biological control strategies and significantly improve their performance.
This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in biological control strategies to manage Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins contamination. The objective is to explore novel approaches, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and highlight practical applications that contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable management strategies.
We welcome original research, critical reviews, and mini/short reviews that fall within this area.
The following potential topics are included, but are not limited to:
1- Identification, isolation, and characterization of new microbial biocontrol agents with potential efficacy against Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins.
2- Identification and characterization of novel antifungal compounds.
3-Biological detoxification of Mycotoxins in Food and Feed.
4-Investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which biocontrol agents inhibit the growth, sporulation, and toxin production of Mycotoxins producing fungi.
5-Development and optimization of biocontrol formulations to enhance the stability and efficacy of biocontrol agents.
Keywords: Biocontrol, Inhibition, Mycotoxins, Detoxification, biocontrol agents, Food safety
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
