The aim of this unique project is to prevent and reduce consumer's health risk derived from mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. This will be achieved through:
1) development of molecular diagnostic methods for an early detection of toxigeic Fusarium species and ochratoxigenic fungi in plant products,
2)new and more sensitive immunological tests for detection of mycotoxins (beauvericin, enniatins and ochratoxin A) in food,
3) biochemical and molecular studies to characterize gen/s responsible for ochratoxin A synthesis,
4) isolation and characterization of mycoviruses in toxigenic fungi and their role in reducing toxin production. This multidisciplinary project will assure food safety by detecting and preventing micotoxin risk exposure (key action 1). It will also provide support to health and environmental policy-making and public information.