Mycotoxins in maize: from field pathology to animal and human health threats (review)

Abstract

Maize is highly susceptible to contamination by toxigenic micromycetes. Mycotoxins accumulate in commercial grain and pose a serious threat to public food safety, causing toxicosis in both humans and animals. This study aims to systematize current scientific data on the transition of hazardous mycotoxins from a field pathology in maize to a real health threat, as well as to critically analyze the efficacy of existing laboratory diagnostic methods. The thoroughly examines the pathogenetic potential of key fusariotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins), Aspergillus aflatoxins, and alternariol. A comparative analysis of detection methods for these ecotoxicants was performed. The results show that enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is the most effective and cost-efficient method for the quantitative determination of the secondary metabolites themselves, whereas PCR diagnostics serves as a complementary tool that enables early detection of phytopathogens under field conditions. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the fact that the mycotoxin problem is considered not in isolation, but as an end-to-end transformation of field phytopathology into a direct threat to consumer health. The proposed integrated approach allows for the consolidation of agronomic, veterinary, and medical aspects within a single "farm-to-fork" food chain. Protecting the population from mycotoxin exposure requires interdisciplinary control that links field monitoring, grain storage conditions, and rapid sanitary-hygienic expertise.