Innovative Strategies to Decontaminate Ochratoxin A in Food and Feed

Ochratoxins (OTs) are mainly produced by species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is most abundant and toxic to humans and animals, with significant economic losses. This primary concern occurred due to commonly contaminated food and feed commodities. Pre harvest approaches can prevent the growth of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production. However, avoiding fungal infection and growth in food and feed is difficult. Therefore, different strategies are practiced to decontaminate OTA. Conventional methods practiced so far are ineffective, time-consuming, laborious, and may alter the sensory quality of the commodity. Therefore, new strategies, approaches, and technologies are essential to control, reduce, eliminate, or degrade OTA, and ensure food safety. This chapter provides insights into the use of several technologies for OTA decontamination. Technologies including irradiation, cold plasma, pulsed light, ultrasound, physical adsorption, ozone, and microbiological methods have been discussed.