Application of microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” for the detection of mycotoxins in foods

Abstract Background Various foods are susceptible to contamination and adulteration with mycotoxins, presenting serious health risks to humans. Microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” devices could integrate and miniaturize versatile functions from sample preparation to detection, showing great potential in rapid, accurate, and high-throughput detection of mycotoxins. Scope and approach This review focuses on the application of microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” platforms to detect mycotoxins in foods. Fabrication processes and major components of microfluidic devices, as well as separation and detection methods integrated with “lab-on-a-chip” systems are summarized and discussed. Finally, challenges and future research directions in the development of microfluidic devices to detect mycotoxins are highlighted. Key findings and conclusions Microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” devices have a great potential for accurate and high-throughput detection of mycotoxins in agricultural and food products.