Novel Strategies to Mitigate Mycotoxin Contamination in Raw Medicinal Plant Materials

Abstract

Present article elucidates the published literature regarding microbial contamination of raw medicinal plant materials and decontamination/detoxification strategies of mycotoxins due to their harmful impacts on human health. Mycotoxins extant a great concern to raw medicinal plants due to their inimical health and socio-economic collision. To overcome the fiscal losses and health issues associated with mycotoxin contagion of raw medicinal plants, several novel innovative techniques have been used to remove the mycotoxin without affecting the people health, product quality and their nutritional potential. Thus, mitigation of mycotoxins can be attained by several physical, chemical and biological approaches, using Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus and other lactic acid bacteria, Actinomycetes, yeasts, molds and other relevant methods including the use of enzymes and phytochemicals. A wide range of phytochemicals accompanied with plant essential oils have been found effective against several mycotoxigenic fungi in contaminated raw medicinal plants. These green preservatives are safe, bio-degradable and eco-friendly in nature. Now a days, detoxification by nanoparticles is one of the promising approaches has been adopted due to its high disinfection effects, and these perspectives are influential against mycotoxin contamination via an irreversible process. The aim of this review is to systematically understand the problem of mycological assessment, mycotoxin contamination and their mitigation in raw medicinal plants by using effective botanicals.