Topics and Trends in Most Cited Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food research in the Class of 2026?

Mycotoxin research in 2024 is anchored by Aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, and point-of-care detection. Research sharply shifted toward electrochemical biosensors, aptamers, and SERS-based sensing, while enzymatic degradation and multi-toxin co-occurrence gained momentum as traditional patulin and general ROS studies declined.

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Updated July 31, 2026

At a glance

Field
Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
3,199
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, point-of-care detection, electrochemical biosensors, enzymatic degradation
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
24–77
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 3,199
7718m citations

Preparation of dual recognition adsorbents based on molecularly imprinted polymers and aptamer for highly sensitive recognition and enrichment of ochratoxin A

Lingjun Geng et al.Journal of Hazardous Materials202410.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135112

Jiashuai Sun, Yemin Guo, Xia SunShandong University of Technology, China

dual recognition adsorbentsMolecularly imprinted polymerAptamerochratoxin AMolecular imprintingaptamer-based recognitionMycotoxin detectiondual-template imprintingselective adsorptionFood safetySample preparationsolid-phase extraction
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#3 of 3,199
4418m citations

Magnetic metal-organic frameworks-based ratiometric SERS aptasensor for sensitive detection of patulin in apples

Ruiyun Zhou et al.Food Chemistry202410.1016/j.foodchem.2024.142200

Zhiming GuoJiangsu University, China

Magnetic metal-organic frameworksratiometric SERSSERS aptasensorpatulin detectionapple contaminationSurface-enhanced Raman scatteringAptamer-based sensorMycotoxin detectionFood safetyMagnetic separationratiometric sensingMOF-based sensorinternal standard methodRaman spectroscopyMagnetic nanocomposite
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#4 of 3,199
3818m citations

Highly conductive AuNPs/Co-MOF nanocomposites synergistic hybridization chain reaction enzyme-free electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of Aflatoxin B1

Tengfei Yu et al.Chemical Engineering Journal202410.1016/j.cej.2024.153596

Zhiguang SuoHenan University of Technology, China

Gold nanoparticlesCobalt metal-organic frameworkNanocompositeHybridization chain reactionElectrochemical aptasensorAflatoxin B1ultrasensitive detectionAptamerElectrochemical biosensorSignal amplificationMycotoxin detection
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#11 of 3,199
2818m citations

Electrochemistry–glucosemeter–smartphone integrated multi-mode biosensor for accurate detection of aflatoxin B1

Zhiguang Suo et al.Analytica Chimica Acta202410.1016/j.aca.2024.343398

Zhiguang Suo, Min WeiHenan University of Technology, China

Aflatoxin B1electrochemistryglucosemetersmartphone integrationBiosensorMycotoxin detectionPoint-of-care detectionPortable sensorsignal transductionElectrochemical biosensorglucose signal readoutFood safetyDual-modal detection
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#12 of 3,199
2718m citations

Integrated network toxicology, molecular docking, and in vivo experiments to elucidate molecular mechanism of aflatoxin B1 hepatotoxicity

Bingjie Ge et al.Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety202410.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116278

Xuemei ZhangYanbian University, China

Aflatoxin B1Hepatotoxicitynetwork toxicologymolecular dockingPI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwayMAPK signaling pathwayFOXO1 signaling pathwayhepatocyte apoptosisEGFRERKPIK3CGMAPK8HSP90AA1PPARAIGF1caspase3Bcl2/Bax ratioclimate change impact on mycotoxinsliver damage biomarkersenvironmental pollutant toxicity
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#13 of 3,199
2718m citations

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate AFB1-induced intestinal injury by modulating the gut microbiota and AHR activation

Jinyan Li et al.Journal of Nanobiotechnology202410.1186/s12951-024-02979-3

Yunhuan LiuNanjing Agricultural University, China

Aflatoxin B1AFB1-induced intestinal injuryLactobacillus amylovorusLactobacillus amylovorus-QC1HProbiotic-derived extracellular vesiclesgut microbiota modulationaryl hydrocarbon receptorAHR/IL-22 signallingintestinal barrier repairtight junction proteinsintestinal permeabilityIndole-3-acetic acid16S rRNA analysisgut dysbiosisPro-inflammatory cytokinesantibiotic-treated miceultracentrifugationmycotoxin exposure
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#16 of 3,199
2418m citations

Therapeutic detoxification of quercetin for aflatoxin B1-related toxicity: Roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic enzymes

Chongshan Dai et al.Environmental Pollution202410.1016/j.envpol.2024.123474

Zhihui HaoChina Agricultural University, China

quercetinAflatoxin B1therapeutic detoxificationoxidative stressinflammationmetabolic enzymesaflatoxin B1 toxicityantioxidant activityCytochrome P450glutathione S-transferaseReactive oxygen speciesHepatotoxicityPro-inflammatory cytokinesphase I metabolismphase II metabolismxenobiotic detoxification
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#18 of 3,199
2418m citations

Near-infrared spectroscopy based on colorimetric sensor array coupled with convolutional neural network detecting zearalenone in wheat

Yongqin Zhao et al.Food Chemistry X202410.1016/j.fochx.2024.101322

Hui JiangJiangsu University, China

zearalenoneWheatMycotoxin detectioncolorimetric sensor arrayporphyrin-based materialsnear-infrared spectroscopyconvolutional neural networkNon-destructive detectionolfactory signaturespartial least squares regressionsupport vector machine regressionspectral feature extractionquantitative analysis modelgrain safety evaluationspectral data analysis
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#20 of 3,199
2418m citations

Quantification of 700 mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites of fungi and plants in grain products

Michael Sulyok et al.npj Science of Food202410.1038/s41538-024-00294-7

Michael SulyokUniversity of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometryMycotoxinsecondary fungal metabolitesplant toxinsdilute and shoot approachMatrix effectspastabiscuitscrackersmuslienniatinsdeoxynivalenolergot alkaloidsCereallimits of quantificationExtraction efficiencyintermediate precisionEuropean market samples
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The 2026 cohort in Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food is defined by major agricultural fungal toxins and advanced detection and remediation technologies. Aflatoxin B1 dominates the research landscape, appearing in 36% of analyzed papers as the leading toxicological threat in food and feed commodities. Other critical fungal toxins, including zearalenone (20%), ochratoxin A (16%), and deoxynivalenol (14%), form a prominent cluster of contamination challenges addressed across agricultural supply chains. To combat these hazards, research has heavily gravitated toward rapid, on-site analytical platforms and biological mitigation strategies. Point-of-care detection (14%) and electrochemical biosensors (12%) lead analytical innovation alongside immunoassays (10%) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS, 10%). Concurrently, biological control measures are heavily emphasized, centered around enzymatic degradation (12%) and microbial detoxification of mycotoxins in food products. Additionally, studies investigating Fusarium graminearum (12%) highlight ongoing efforts to control fungal pathogenesis at the field level, bridging crop protection with downstream food safety.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals a distinct shift toward high-sensitivity biosensing, molecular recognition, and targeted biocatalytic detoxification. The most dramatic surges occurred in electrochemical biosensing platforms and Fusarium graminearum pathogen research, both expanding 6.0-fold in normalized frequency. Aptamer-based recognition and mycotoxin co-occurrence studies also surged 4.0-fold, reflecting growing awareness of synergistic toxicity from multi-toxin exposure in grain commodities. Furthermore, zearalenone research doubled (2.0-fold), driven by its prevalence in corn and cereal crops. Novel 2024 entries highlight the rise of optical sensing and enzymatic solutions, spearheaded by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS, 10% frequency), specific SERS aptasensors, and specialized toxin-degrading enzymes. In contrast, traditional chemical assay topics and broader cellular stress markers saw relative declines; patulin research fell to 0.4-fold of its previous frequency, while studies focused purely on reactive oxygen species decreased to 0.6-fold. Overall, the field is transitioning from general toxicity profiling toward rapid, multi-target diagnostics and precise, green enzymatic degradation.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/mycotoxins-in-agriculture-and-food/2026. Accessed 2026-07-31.

Methodology
Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459