The Problem of Mycotoxins and Approaches to Its Solution

Mycotoxins are characterized by wide structural diversity and variety of origins.
Various physical and chemical methods are tried for neutralization of mycotoxins.
Enzymatic treatment looks like nature-like and efficient method of detoxification.
Recombinant and fusion enzymes catalyze the detoxification of mixed mycotoxins.
Relevance. Mycotoxins are easily produced by widely spread fungi and possess serious danger for life and wellbeing of humans, as well as farm animals and can be used for sabotage and terrorist acts.
The purpose of the work is analysis of the main up-to-date trends in mycotoxin detoxification, paying special attention to biological (enzymatic) methods.
The source base of the research is mainly English–language scientific literature available via the global Internet network, as well as the authors' own published experimental studies.
The research method is analytical.
Results. The current information on the structures of mycotoxins produced by microscopic fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, and the objects for their accumulation is summarized. The main investigated methods of physical and chemical effects on mycotoxins in media of various chemical composition are noted. The use of enzymes for the detoxification of mycotoxins is analyzed in more detail. Special attention is paid to individual enzymes capable of catalyzing the conversion of structurally diverse mycotoxins in their mixtures. It is indicated that in order to increase the effectiveness of neutralizing the toxic effects of mycotoxins, it is possible to successfully use different enzymes genetically combined into one molecule (creating fusion proteins) or using a mixture of enzymes.
There is a great potential in the use of enzymes that catalyze the detoxification of mycotoxins, possesing different mechanisms of action, at pH values below neutral.
Conclusions. For detoxification of the same mycotoxins, there are at least several different enzymes that can catalyze reactions with them. Among them are fusion proteins, oxidoreductases (glucose oxidase, peroxidase, laccase). The use of computer models and the application of molecular modeling methods will allow us to obtain enzyme preparations for detoxification of mycotoxins at different pH values.

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