The Status of Fusarium Mycotoxins in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Emerging Trends and Post-Harvest Mitigation Strategies towards Food Control.

fungi are common plant pathogens causing several plant diseases. The presence of these molds in plants exposes crops to toxic secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. The most studied mycotoxins include fumonisins, zearalenone, and trichothecenes. Studies have highlighted the economic impact of mycotoxins produced by . These arrays of toxins have been implicated as the causal agents of wide varieties of toxic health effects in humans and animals ranging from acute to chronic. Global surveillance of mycotoxins has recorded significant progress in its control; however, little attention has been paid to mycotoxins in sub-Saharan Africa, thus translating to limited occurrence data. In addition, legislative regulation is virtually non-existent. The emergence of modified mycotoxins, which may contribute to additional toxic effects, worsens an already precarious situation. This review highlights the status of mycotoxins in sub-Saharan Africa, the possible food processing mitigation strategies, as well as future perspectives.