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Climate change is primarily manifested by elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels and is projected to provide suitable cultivation grounds for pests and pathogens in the otherwise unsuitable regions. The impacts of climate change have been predicted in many parts of the world, which could threaten global food safety and food security. The aim of the present work was therefore to examine the interacting effects of water activity (a w ) (0.92, 0.95, 0.98 a w ), CO 2 (400, 800, 1200 ppm) and temperature (30, 35 °C and 30, 33 °C for Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum , respectively) on fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised isolates of F. verticillioides and F. graminearum isolated from maize. To determine fungal growth, the colony diameters were measured on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The mycotoxins produced were quantified using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QTOF-MS) combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system. For F. verticillioides , the optimum conditions for growth of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), and fumonisin B 2 (FB 2 ) were 30 °C + 0.98 a w + 400 ppm CO 2 . These conditions were also optimum for F. graminearum growth, and zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) production. Since 30 °C and 400 ppm CO 2 were the baseline treatments, it was hence concluded that the elevated temperature and CO 2 levels tested did not seem to significantly impact fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised Fusarium isolates. To the best of our knowledge thus far, the present work described for the first time the effects of simulated climate change conditions on fungal growth and mycotoxin production of acclimatised isolates of F. verticillioides and F. graminearum .

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical compounds produced by certain genera, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, as by-products of their metabolism (secondary metabolites). They are plant pathogens able to cause infection pre-, during, and postharvest. The most important and economically-relevant mycotoxins of great concern to humans, plants, and animals are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, and trichothecenes. The present review aimed to compile updated management strategies of mycotoxins in foods and feeds, including control and detoxification techniques. Generally, the strategies are divided into physical, chemical, and biological, and can be implemented during pre-, harvest, and post-harvest. Physical controls pre-harvest includes the development and planting of resistant varieties; during harvest include control of field infections, timely harvest, sufficient drainage, and physical barriers; and post-harvest include storage of harvested commodities under conditions that would prevent and exclude the growth and mycotoxin production by mycotoxigenic fungi. Chemical controls generally involve the use of chemically synthesised fungicides which are often associated with long-term effects on the environment. When compared with chemical and physical controls, biological controls are generally more unique, productive, and environmentally friendly, and when implemented appropriately in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, can collectively control the growth and proliferation of mycotoxigenic, and reduce the incidence of mycotoxin production and contamination in foods and feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]