Measuring human mycotoxins exposure using biomarkers – a review

Mycotoxins are secondary toxic compounds produced by fungi of the Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium species during secondary metabolism and they pose a major threat to humans and animals. Estimation of mycotoxin exposure by measuring contamination of food coupled with dietary intake questionnaires has been improved by the availability of biomarkers of exposure, which allow more accurate and objective exposure measurements. Biomarker assessment in biological fluids has greatly contributed to elucidating the mechanism of health impairments attributable to these toxic compounds and to studying their pharmacokinetics. The analytical methods for the determination of single mycotoxin exposure biomarkers include enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-fluorescent detection and Gas chromatography (GC)-electron capture, and HPLC mass spectrometry. Recent advances in liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have revolutionised mycotoxin biomarker assessment through the analysis of multiple mycotoxins in one sample injection. Despite these current developments, efforts still need to be made towards further improvements in sampling procedures, inter-laboratory quality assurance and development of internal standards to ensure appropriate detection of biomarkers.

Citation

Eze, U. (2026). Measuring human mycotoxins exposure using biomarkers – a review. Dialogic STEM Journal, 1(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.66845/dstem.2026.00005

Publisher

Dialogic Academic Presses

Journal

Dialogic STEM Journal

URI

https://chesterrep.openrepository.com/handle/10034/630079

DOI

10.66845/dstem.2026.00005

Type

Article

Description

EISSN

3141-2122

Additional Links

https://www.dapresses.com/journal/dialogic-stem-journal/article/measuring-human-mycotoxins-exposure-using-biomarkers-a-review