Exploring the potential of applying infrared vibrational (micro)spectroscopy in ergot alkaloids determination: Techniques, current status, and challenges

Ergot alkaloids (EA) are toxins produced mainly by Claviceps fungi and are considered as one of the most important groups of mycotoxins. Rapid and reliable detection techniques are urgently required by producers, importers and market regulators. As a promising alternative to conventional wet chemistry, infrared (IR)-based techniques are non-destructive, rapid and cost-effective. However, very limited studies on the qualitative or quantitative analysis of ergot or EA in food or feed based on IR vibrational spectroscopy have been reported so far. Being a secondary technique, the accuracy of IR method heavily depends on the robustness of chemometrics models. This paper aims to offer a brief overview of the EA issue in food and feed, conventional detection methods, theoretical principles of IR-based techniques and commonly used chemometrics for spectral data processing. In addition, the current application status of IR spectroscopy in ergot research is also considered.