Table 12.

Detection challenges.

	Issue	Challenges	Impacts
Sensitivity	Mycotoxins are often present at very low concentrations in food, making it challenging to detect them reliably. Analytical methods must be sensitive enough to identify trace amounts of mycotoxins to ensure accurate safety assessments [122].	Some mycotoxins have low natural abundance or are masked by matrix effects, which can interfere with detection. Analytical methods must be optimized to enhance sensitivity while minimizing false negatives.	Low sensitivity can result in underestimating contamination levels, potentially leading to unsafe food products reaching consumers.
Specificity	The specificity of detection methods is crucial to differentiate between mycotoxins and other compounds with similar chemical properties. Cross-reactivity with other substances can lead to false positives or inaccurate quantification [123].	Some methods, like immunoassays, may lack specificity and produce cross-reactivity with structurally similar compounds. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that methods can accurately target the specific mycotoxin of interest.	Lack of specificity can compromise the accuracy of results and lead to unnecessary regulatory actions or misinformed safety assessments.
Cost	Advanced analytical techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), can be expensive due to equipment, reagents, and maintenance costs. This can limit their accessibility, especially in resource-limited settings [124].	High costs can restrict the frequency of testing and the number of samples analyzed, potentially leading to gaps in monitoring and an increased risk of undetected mycotoxin contamination.	Costs may limit the implementation of comprehensive testing programs, especially in developing regions with scarce resources.