Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally important cereal crop, is often threatened by aflatoxin contamination, compromising seed quality, nutritional value, and food safety. This study investigated the distribution of macro- and microelements in inner and outer seed fractions of maize with varying aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels to identify potential elemental markers of contamination. Macro- and microelements were quantified using ICP-OES and ICP-QMS, and principal component and correlation analyses were applied to explore interelement relationships and sample separation. The inner fraction was enriched in metabolically active elements such as K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Ni, while the outer fraction contained higher Na, Ca, Cr, and Co, supporting structural integrity and defense. Strong positive correlations were observed between Mn and Zn in the inner fraction (r = 0.818), as well as between Cr and Zn (r = 0.82) and Co and Zn (r = 0.797) in the outer fraction, whereas Na and Zn showed a negative correlation in the inner fraction (r = −0.739). Na exhibited a nonlinear relationship with AFB1, suggesting complex regulatory mechanisms. Increasing AFB1 concentrations affected elemental composition, with dynamic changes in Cr, Mn, Zn, and Co and reductions in K, reflecting adaptive responses at low toxin levels and disrupted metal homeostasis at higher contamination. Strong associations of Mn, Zn, and Cr with AFB1 indicate their potential as contamination markers. These findings highlight compartment-specific mineral dynamics and their relevance for seed resilience and food safety.

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), the causal agent of black rot, has a significant impact on cabbage production worldwide. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effect of preventive foliar treatments with Bacillus velezensis strain RD-FC 88 on the primary and secondary metabolism of Xcc-infected cabbage cv. Futoški plants. Special attention was given to measuring metabolites’ changes, aiming to determine the influence of the applied biocontrol treatment on the development of plant immune response and resistance to pathogen. This study reports the first comprehensive biochemical and physiological analysis of the interaction between host plant, biocontrol strain and pathogen, thus providing novel insight into black rot management. Pathogen inoculation caused a significant decrease in the majority of measured metabolites, including most free amino acids (Gln, Ala, BCAA), phenolics, and glucosinolates. Preventive application of B. velezensis strain in Xcc-infected plants restored the levels of aromatic amino acids, Asp, Glu, Leu, Val, and Ala to control values. A similar pattern was observed in aliphatic glucosinolates sinigrin and glucoiberin, as well as for the indolic glucosinolate 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin. Additionally, increased accumulation of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and kaempferol derivatives was also observed in the plants treated with the biocontrol strain and subsequently infected with Xcc, compared to plants solely infected with Xcc. The obtained results imply that the RD-FC 88 strain holds potential as an efficient priming agent, capable of stimulating cabbage cv. Futoški defense responses and enhancing its resistance to Xcc.

Mycotoxigenic fungi contaminate cereals, nuts, fruits, and other food commodities, threatening human and animal health. This review focuses on Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium verticillioides, and Alternaria alternata as representative mycotoxigenic fungi because of their importance as food contaminants and their production of major food-relevant mycotoxins. Some methods detect fungal presence or toxigenic potential, whereas others directly quantify toxins. Fungal identification or detection of biosynthetic genes indicates presence or toxin-producing potential, respectively, but neither replaces direct mycotoxin measurement. The diversity of targets, toxins, and food matrices remains a challenge for accurate and practical analysis. Particular attention is given to immunodiagnostic approaches, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), as well as complementary formats such as lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs), and immunosensors, for laboratory and on-site food safety monitoring. The advantages and limitations of these approaches, with emphasis on sensitivity, specificity, matrix effects, and sample preparation, are discussed. Future aspects will focus on integrated, matrix-validated workflows combining robust sample preparation, multiplex recognition, portable readout, and appropriate quality controls to enable faster and more reliable monitoring of fungal contamination and mycotoxins throughout the food and feed chain.