New findings in metabolomics in food mycology

Abstract

In the domain of food, fungi exhibit a dual role: while some enhance flavour and texture of food, others cause spoilage and contamination, posing risks to human health through mycotoxins. Fungi leave their unique chemical signature on the foods they colonise through the synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. Metabolomics, focusing on the study of small molecules present in biological systems, provides insights into fungal metabolic processes and their impact on food quality and safety. This review explores the recent advancements in metabolomics for food mycology, highlighting its applications in understanding fungal interactions with food substrates. Moreover, future directions in this area are discussed.