Early-Warning Biosensing of Aflatoxin Contamination: From Fungal Colonization to Toxin Synthesis.

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination in agricultural products poses a critical global food safety threat, demanding an urgent paradigm shift from conventional postcontamination quantification to proactive early warning strategies. This comprehensive review critically examines the revolutionary transition toward biomarker-driven biosensing platforms that enable the interception of aflatoxigenesis before toxin accumulation. By systematically analyzing stage-specific biomarkers─including fungal spores/volatile organic compounds, regulatory genes, metabolic proteins, and critical biosynthetic precursors─we elucidate how temporal biosensing creates crucial intervention windows. The review further evaluates advances in nanomaterial-enhanced transducers, multiplexed detection platforms, and AI-integrated sensor arrays while addressing persistent challenges in bioreceptor specificity and field deployment. Future progress hinges on the development of quantitative biomarker-toxin correlation models, advancing point-of-care devices, and implementing integrated monitoring networks. Distinct from existing reviews, this work presents a novel chronobiology-aligned framework for aflatoxin contamination by integrating biomarker discovery with biosensing innovation to enable proactive risk management and strengthen global food security.