Innovative Biological Control Strategies Against Postharvest Fungal Pathogens and Mycotoxin Contamination

Postharvest losses due to fungal infections remain a critical global issue, affecting food safety, economic value, and international trade. Fungal genera such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria are major contributors to the rapid spoilage of agricultural commodities. They also produce mycotoxins, highly toxic secondary metabolites with serious health risks for both humans and animals. The contamination of food products with these compounds is tightly regulated worldwide and requires effective, sustainable mitigation strategies. Traditional control measures, mainly relying on synthetic fungicides, are facing growing limitations. These include the emergence of resistant fungal strains, harmful residues, environmental risks, and increasing consumer demand for chemical-free food. As a result, biological control has emerged as a promising and eco-friendly alternative. Beneficial microorganisms, microbial metabolites, enzymes, and natural volatiles offer effective strategies to inhibit fungal growth, suppress mycotoxin production, and degrade existing toxins. Mycotoxin biodegradation specifically involves converting harmful compounds into less toxic or non-toxic forms through microbial or enzymatic action, offering a safe and sustainable solution for food safety.This Research Topic aims to bring together the latest advances in biological control strategies targeting postharvest fungal pathogens and mycotoxins. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that span microbiology, biochemistry, omics technologies, and analytical chemistry to uncover novel mechanisms and practical applications of biocontrol. Studies that demonstrate real-world efficacy, develop advanced analytical tools for monitoring biocontrol activity, and integrate multi-level interventions will be of particular interest.1- Application of antagonistic microbes, enzymes, and metabolites to control postharvest fungi and degrade mycotoxins.2- Applying multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics ) to understand biocontrol mechanisms.3- Advanced analytics to detect mycotoxins, their degradation products, and bioactive compounds.4- Developing stable, effective biocontrol formulations for practical postharvest use. Topic editors: Dr. Tanvir Ahmad, Prof. Yang LIU, Sonia Chadha Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73085/innovative-biological-control-strategies-against-postharvest-fungal-pathogens-and-mycotoxin-contamination