Mycotoxins found in hazelnuts and how they are measured
What it found
Hazelnuts can carry many different mycotoxins, not just aflatoxins, and the review lists the fungi and detection methods involved.
The findings come from laboratory testing of hazelnut samples, not from studies in people.
What they found
Studies in people and animals
Toxicity of mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are known for cytotoxic, mutagenic, neurotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in humans and animals. Ochratoxin A has been shown to be nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and immunotoxic in several animal species.
Other findings
Many mycotoxins detected
Hazelnut samples have been found to contain at least 10 groups of mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, sterigmatocystins, trichothecenes, cyclodepsipeptides, anthraquinones, and others. These were detected in hazelnuts from many countries.
Aflatoxins and rules
Aflatoxin B1 is classified as a group 1 human carcinogen by IARC. European maximum levels for hazelnuts are 5 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10 µg/kg for total aflatoxins.
Fungi that infect hazelnuts
Many fungal species have been found on hazelnuts, with Aspergillus and Penicillium among the most common. Some infections happen in the field, while others can start during storage, processing, or marketing.
Detection methods
Many analytical methods focus on aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins, but methods that can detect many mycotoxins at once are needed. The high fat content of hazelnuts makes testing challenging.
Reducing contamination
Cold atmospheric plasma reduced total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in hazelnuts by over 70% in one study. Sensory tests showed the hazelnuts kept good qualities after treatment.
What the authors conclude
“Evidence from investigations carried out by several laboratories and research groups worldwide supports concern for the contamination of hazelnuts by mycotoxins.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that mycotoxins and fungal producers are a great public health issue.
- They call for further investigations on conditions that encourage mycotoxigenic fungi in the field, especially interactions with other parts of the hazelnut microbiome.
- They say the growing number of fungal metabolites found in kernels calls for a revision of analytical procedures that are currently limited to aflatoxins, at least in the European Union.
How it was done
Hazelnuts are eaten more worldwide, and their nutrients make them prone to fungi that produce mycotoxins. Current European rules for hazelnuts cover only aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins.
The authors gathered published data on mycotoxins found in hazelnuts, the fungal species that infect hazelnut fruit, and the analytical methods used to detect these compounds. They also reviewed control strategies used before and after harvest.
What it can’t tell you
- This is a review of laboratory tests on hazelnut samples, so it cannot show what amount of mycotoxins people actually eat or what health effects might follow.
- The studies described tested for the presence of mycotoxins, not whether they cause illness in people.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Authors work at
- University of Naples Federico II, Italy; Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Italy; BAT Center-Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro-Environmental Technology, Italy
The paper
- Title
- Mycotoxin Contamination in Hazelnut: Current Status, Analytical Strategies, and Future Prospects
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Salvatore MM, Andolfi A, Nicoletti R (2023). Mycotoxin Contamination in Hazelnut: Current Status, Analytical Strategies, and Future Prospects. Toxins. doi:10.3390/toxins15020099Free full textPubMed 36828414DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error