Current analytical methods for mycotoxin detection in foods and feeds: a comparative review

Mycotoxins are potent toxins that accumulate in the food chain and pose a great risk for acute and chronic health complications. Therefore, there are various methods developed and in use for their qualitative and quantitative analysis. Current approaches for mycotoxin detection consist of three phases. The first is sampling. It is a crucial step because the contamination of natural products is often non-homogenous. Therefore, the use of standardized protocols is important to avoid false negative results. The next phase is sample preparation, which includes grinding, extraction, and purification. The most commonly used extraction methods are solid–liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS.