The application of the nanotechnology in the elimination of phycotoxins and mycotoxins and implementation of mass spectrometry for their detection

Abstract

Phycotoxins and mycotoxins are contaminants in the food chain that present a risk to public health. Marine toxins cause acute poisoning, while mycotoxins are characterized by long-term toxic effects, although acute poisoning is also possible. The optimization of new methods for faster detection and quantification of toxins, as well as the identification of emerging and modified forms are a key task for the prevention of human and animal poisoning. Moreover, it is necessary to develop new strategies to ameliorate food quality by reducing the presence of contaminants. The present doctoral thesis was focus on these fields. In this sense, toxin extraction procedures and mass spectrometry analysis methods have been developed, improving those currently implanted and creating new ones for the detection of mycotoxins and phycotoxins. On the other hand, a new detoxification approach for treating food, feed and water contaminated with mycotoxins and phycotoxins was developed using magnetic nanostructured materials.