o:9796 Alternaria Mycotoxins in Wheat: A Review of Their Occurrence and Significance en Abstract: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide and represents a major component of human and animal nutrition. However, wheat grains are susceptible to contamination by various fungal species capable of producing toxic secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins. Among these contaminants, Alternaria mycotoxins have gained increasing attention due to their widespread occurrence in cereals and their potential implications for food safety. Species belonging to the genus Alternaria, particularly Alternaria alternata, A. tenuissima, and A. infectoria, are commonly associated with wheat production and are capable of producing several biologically active metabolites, including alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA), tentoxin (TEN), and altenuene (ALT). The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge regarding the occurrence, toxicological significance, and food safety implications of Alternaria mycotoxins in wheat. Available studies indicate that contamination of wheat with Alternaria toxins is a global phenomenon, with TeA, AOH, and AME being the most frequently detected compounds. The occurrence and concentration of these toxins are influenced by numerous factors, including climatic conditions, geographical location, agronomic practices, fungal species composition, and post-harvest handling. Recent findings suggest that climate change may further contribute to the prevalence and distribution of Alternaria species and their associated toxins. Toxicological investigations have demonstrated that several Alternaria metabolites possess cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and potentially carcinogenic properties. In particular, AOH and AME have been identified as compounds of concern due to their ability to induce DNA damage and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, important knowledge gaps remain regarding chronic dietary exposure, mixture toxicity, and long-term health effects. Furthermore, the lack of harmonized regulatory limits for most Alternaria toxins represents a significant challenge for food safety management. Overall, the available evidence indicates that Alternaria mycotoxins constitute an emerging food safety concern in wheat production systems. Continued monitoring, improved analytical methodologies, comprehensive toxicological studies, and multidisciplinary research efforts are essential for enhancing risk assessment and supporting the development of effective regulatory and mitigation strategies. Keywords: Alternaria mycotoxins; wheat; alternariol; alternariol monomethyl ether; tenuazonic acid; food safety; occurrence; toxicology. 2026-06-11T08:40:38.974Z 44 yes 46 Nikola Puvača Fakultet za ekonomiju i inženjerski menadžment u Novom Sadu 0000-0002-5500-7010 Miloš Marić person Vojislava Bursić person Tijana Stojanović person Gorica Vuković person 2026 application/pdf 449928 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:9796 no yes 16 70 92000002 2026-03-09 Journal of Agronomy, Technology and Engineering Management 9 2 1950 1959 2026