Mycotoxigenic fungi in oilseeds: Occurrence, risk and sustainable management strategies-A comprehensive review

Abstract

Oilseeds are commercially significant commodities that account for a substantial share of worldwide edible oil production, international trade and food security. Nevertheless, mycotoxigenic fungal contamination is one of the major constraints that impacts oilseed quality, safety and marketability, leading to significant yield and economic losses estimated at 5–25 %. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that infect oilseeds during cultivation, harvesting, processing and storage. Among the most significant fungal contaminants, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Alternaria are associated primarily with groundnut, sunflower, sesame and Brassica, where they produce aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and Alternaria toxins. Owing to their hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties in human and animal populations, these contaminants pose major health challenges. Advanced analytical techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) facilitate the sensitive detection and quantification of multiple mycotoxins in complex oilseed matrices, enabling precise real-time monitoring. Recently, various management strategies for the prevention and detoxification of mycotoxins via physical methods such as sorting, irradiation and refining, chemical methods involving ozone and organic acids and biological strategies based on microbial and enzymatic degradation have been developed worldwide. This review focuses on climate-resilient management strategies, viz., rapid onsite detection technologies, predictive risk assessment tools and sustainable biological interventions to reduce mycotoxins and ensure a safe oilseed production system.