Mycotoxin management in the cereal supply chain: Advanced detection, detoxification, and smart packaging strategies

Mycotoxins remain a persistent threat to the safety and quality of cereal grains and other agricultural products, and their impact on human health continues to raise global concerns. In many situations, the practices traditionally used to control these toxins are no longer sufficiently effective. They can be costly, difficult to implement on a large scale, and, in some cases, create environmental drawbacks. As cereal products move through the supply chain, the need for faster and more sensitive detection tools, more reliable detoxification options, and practical postharvest preventive measures has become increasingly clear. This review scrutinizes recent advances in biotechnology- and nanotechnology-based approaches, focusing on their superior environmental sustainability compared to classical methods. Specifically, it evaluates how nanoparticle-assisted biosensors and advanced spectroscopic techniques significantly enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of mycotoxin monitoring systems. Biological and nanocatalytic detoxification methods, which provide milder and more environmentally friendly modes of action, are also discussed. In addition, advances in active and smart packaging are considered, especially their potential to limit fungal growth and prevent recontamination during storage and distribution. Taken together, these developments suggest that combining high-performance analytical tools with emerging bio-nano solutions could support more effective and sustainable mycotoxin management throughout the cereal supply chain.