Mycotoxins—Biomonitoring and Exposure

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 388

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Health and Physiology, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Kaposvár, Hungary
Interests: mycotoxicosis; fusariotoxins; multitoxic effects; liver; kidney; phospholipids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Interests: biological monitoring; clinical toxicology; nutrition; lipid metabolisim; oxidative stress; dose-response relationship

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feed due to climate change raises significant concerns, as these toxins constitute serious hazards for humans and animals. Exposure can lead to acute poisoning or chronic health issues, which manifest as immune deficiency, gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal disturbances, and different cell-function disorders that might ultimately lead to cancer. However, the sensitivity of an individual depends on factors like the mycotoxin molecular structure, exposure dose and duration, species, and investigated systems/organs. Despite progress in detection methods, gaps remain in understanding exposure pathways and long-term health impacts. This Special Issue spotlights recent advancements in mycotoxin biomonitoring and exposure assessments for humans and farm animals, focusing on risk assessment strategies and public health implications. It aims to promote collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to minimize mycotoxin-related risks and enhance food safety. We invite experts to submit their original research (in vivo and in vitro), case studies, and reviews on topics like mycotoxin biomonitoring, human and animal exposure, emerging mycotoxins, and the One-Health approach.

Prof. Dr. András Szabó
Dr. Omeralfaroug Ali
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mycotoxin contamination
  • toxicology
  • biomarkers
  • risk assessment
  • control strategies
  • food safety
  • one-health approach

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 309 KiB  
Article
Biomonitoring Pilot Surveys of Zearalenone in Breastmilk and the Urine of Children in Central Portugal
by Sofia Duarte, Inês Duarte, Myrella Duarte, Ana Paiva, Ricardo Cabeças, Liliana J. G. Silva, André M. P. T. Pereira, Celeste Lino and Angelina Pena
Toxins 2025, 17(4), 162; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17040162 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 312
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin that acts primarily as an endocrine disruptor. Biomonitoring studies are needed to assess exposure and risk, particularly among vulnerable groups. This study reports two pilot biomonitoring surveys of ZEA in 38 lactating mothers and 42 children (5–12 years [...] Read more.
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin that acts primarily as an endocrine disruptor. Biomonitoring studies are needed to assess exposure and risk, particularly among vulnerable groups. This study reports two pilot biomonitoring surveys of ZEA in 38 lactating mothers and 42 children (5–12 years old). Both were associated with a questionnaire to collect data on the sociodemographics and eating habits of the participants. About 76% of urine samples were contaminated (188.12 ± 235.99 ng/mL), with the hazard quotient reaching 2.36 in the worst-case scenario for younger children. Of the analyzed breastmilk samples, 55.26% were contaminated (158.26 ± 77.50). A statistically significant association between ZEA contamination of breastmilk and the maternal consumption of wholemeal bread, cereal flakes, sausages, smoked meat and pork was found, suggesting that these foods are determinants of higher exposure. The hazard quotient in the worst-case scenario for breastfed babies under 16 weeks was estimated as 0.61. Results confirm frequent exposure to this endocrine disruptor among these two vulnerable groups in central Portugal, showing the need for further studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mycotoxins—Biomonitoring and Exposure)
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