Mycotoxins producing fungi and their associated mycotoxins pose significant challenges to various industries - including agriculture, food production, and human health. These fungi can contaminate various crops, food and feed that leads to the production of toxic mycotoxins. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed can result in acute and chronic health effects, including carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, and neurotoxic effects. Proper management and control of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins are essential for ensuring food security and safeguarding public health.

Recently, biological control strategies have garnered interest as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for managing mycotoxin-producing fungi and mycotoxin contamination. These strategies use living organisms or their products to suppress fungal growth and toxin production, offering advantages like reduced environmental impact, minimal residue buildup, and long-term control potential. Understanding how these biocontrol agents work, through antimicrobial production and resource competition, is crucial for effective application.

Advancements in biotechnological tools, such as genetic engineering, gene editing, and synthetic biology, are enhancing the efficacy and stability of biocontrol agents. These approaches could revolutionize biological control strategies and improve their performance significantly.
This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in biological control strategies to manage Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins contamination. The objective is to explore novel approaches, elucidate underlying mechanisms, and highlight practical applications that contribute to the development of efficient and sustainable management strategies.

The following potential topics are included, but are not limited to:

1- Identification, isolation, and characterization of new microbial biocontrol agents with potential efficacy against Mycotoxins producing fungi and mycotoxins.

2- Identification and characterization of novel antifungal compounds.

3-Biological detoxification of Mycotoxins in Food and Feed.

4-Investigation of the underlying mechanisms by which biocontrol agents inhibit the growth, sporulation, and toxin production of Mycotoxins producing fungi.

5-Development and optimization of biocontrol formulations to enhance the stability and efficacy of biocontrol agents.

6- Mycotoxin production from species Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, or Alternaria

7 – Studies on Aflatoxins, Ochratoxins, Patulin, Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEN), Fumonisins, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin or Alternariol (AOH)

We welcome original research, critical reviews, and mini/short reviews that fall within this area.

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Frontiers in Fungal Biology

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