Chapter 21 - Biosurfactants as biocontrol agents against mycotoxigenic fungi

Abstract

The contamination of foodstuffs and agricultural commodities by mycotoxinproducing fungi is a challenging problem. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites synthesized by several filamentous fungi that exhibit carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic activities even at low concentrations. Besides their toxicity, mycotoxins are also responsible for substantial losses in crop yield and quality. Accordingly, several chemical and physical treatments have been evaluated to reduce their presence in food and feed. However, most of these strategies exhibit limitations, including low efficiency and a negative impact on food quality parameters, human health and the environment. Consequently, more effective and environmentally friendly treatments to reduce the presence of mycotoxins are needed. The use of microbial biosurfactants as biocontrol agents to manage mycotoxins contamination in crops has been demonstrated in a few cases, being a safe and green alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides. This chapter will review the latest advances in this field.