Detecting the Undetectable: DIY sample preparation and infrared spectroscopy for portable mycotoxin analysis

Sufficient and safe food is a fundamental human right, yet guaranteeing food safety remains a global challenge. This is due to factors such as climate change, transport and storage conditions, and economic stability. Therefore, food safety tests are essential and act as the “eyes and ears” of our food system: they reveal whether food is safe to eat and help authorities, producers, and traders make informed decisions.
This PhD research focused on detecting mycotoxins. These are harmful substances produced by molds that can contaminate crops and food products. Completely preventing mycotoxin contamination is nearly impossible, so reliable monitoring is crucial. While laboratory tests are powerful, they require expert operators and are centralized. Therefore, this research explored portable testing methods that bring food analysis closer to the source without sacrificing on chemical identification power.
By combining simple sample preparation with improved infrared sensing, this research made it possible to detect very small amounts of mycotoxins directly in foods. These innovations help move food safety testing out of the lab and into real world settings, supporting faster decisions and safer foods.