Hybrid nanomaterials for detection, detoxification, and management mycotoxins

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination still poses a threat to economic, human, and animal health. These mycotoxins often coexist within a single food and feed sample matrix, thus there is a growing need to develop multifunctional systems for detection through multiplexing (multiple detection of more than one mycotoxin) technology, effective detoxifying agents, and management strategies toward sustainable agricultural ergonomics. The use of nanotechnology in mycotoxicology using hybrid nanomaterials is gaining interest due to smart agricultural systems. These hybrid nanomaterials occupy a unique niche between regular nanomaterials and nanocomposites, making them higher-order functional materials that offer opportunities for multiplexing, efficient decontamination, and managing mycotoxin in an effective sustainable manner. The three main types of hybrid nanomaterials (primary, secondary, and tertiary) are discussed in this chapter for mycotoxin detection, detoxification, and management. The utilization of hybrid nanomaterials in mycotoxicology is still in its infancy. However, a lot of work has been devoted to the development of sensors for mycotoxin detection. There is a need to exploit the properties of hybrid nanomaterials for the development of mycotoxin binders for the detoxification of mycotoxins in the gastrointestinal tract to limit the adverse toxicity of mycotoxins to key organs in the body. Hybrid nanomaterials are of prime importance for a synergistic approach in tackling the problems in mycotoxicology in the 21st century.