Occurrence, identification, and decontamination of potential mycotoxins in fruits and fruit by-products

The incidence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and patulin in fruits and processed fruit products has been ever more challenging and gained additional focus on ecofriendly mitigation strategies. The onset of these toxins is due to several factors involving insect attacks, agricultural practices, and climate change. Acute and chronic health hazards are clinically proven after consuming contaminated foodstuffs, even at lower concentrations of mycotoxins. Synergistic, masked, and substantial occurrence in fruit matrices increase their complexity in detection and detoxification; apparently, this article reviewed the available information on the occurrence of mycotoxins in several fruits and their products, focused on the conventional and advanced methods of identification, quantification, and decontamination techniques. Strengthening and implementing stringent international and national guidelines are required for impactful, tangible measures in the future. Nevertheless, controlling the mycotoxins in fruits will certainly be challenging for scientists. Therefore, more impactful technologies are still needed to eliminate the toxins at the threshold level of the food chain and ensure sustainable global food safety.