Electromagnetic radiations and their effect on filamentous fungi and mycotoxins: recent advances and perspectives

This review shows an update of the researches carried out in the last three years on foods to decontaminate them from mycetes and mycotoxins by means of electromagnetic radiations. Both ionizing (X-rays and & gamma;-rays) and nonionizing (radiofrequencies, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet radiation) radiations have been taken into consideration for this purpose. Their effectiveness confirmed to depend on parameters such as the state and the family of the targeted fungal species, the chemical structure of mycotoxins, the dose of radiation applied, and the structural characteristics of foods. Among the electromagnetic radiations, the ionizing radiations seem to be the most effective in inactivating conidia and in reducing mycotoxins. X-rays proved more performing than any other radiation against mycetes, whereas fungal toxic molecules proved more susceptible to & gamma;-rays.