MycoKey · Project

Smart Detection and Prediction Tools to Keep Mycotoxins Out of Your Grain Supply Chain

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Imagine invisible molds growing on wheat, corn, and barley that produce poisons you can't see, smell, or taste — but they can make people and animals sick, and they cost the grain industry billions in rejected shipments. MycoKey built a toolkit to fight back: rapid test strips that work like pregnancy tests but for grain contamination, a smartphone-friendly app that predicts contamination risk based on weather and location, and better ways to handle batches that are already affected. Think of it as a complete early-warning and response system for the food and feed industry, tested across Europe and China.

By the numbers

EUR 4,953,160

EU funding for mycotoxin management research

consortium partners across the project

countries represented in the consortium

major mycotoxin types addressed (aflatoxins, DON, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, fumonisins)

cereal crops covered (maize, wheat, barley)

demonstrated tools and devices delivered

total project deliverables produced

SME partners in the consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Mycotoxin contamination in cereals (maize, wheat, barley) causes massive economic losses through rejected shipments, regulatory penalties, and unsafe animal feed. Current lab-based testing is slow and expensive, meaning contaminated batches often move through the supply chain before results arrive. Companies need fast, affordable, on-site detection combined with predictive tools to prevent contamination before it happens.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered 8 demonstrated tools including: rapid dust sampling devices for shipment loading/unloading, multiple immunoassay test strips for on-site detection of 5 major mycotoxins in wheat/barley/maize, DNA aptamer-based strip tests for nuts and maize, a prototype decision support system (DSS-maize) predicting contamination risk, real-time climate monitoring tools, and geographical maps of toxigenic fungi distribution. Total of 30 deliverables across the 33-partner consortium.

Audience

Who needs this

Grain traders and commodity brokers handling cereal shipmentsFeed mills and animal nutrition companiesFood safety testing laboratoriesCereal processing companies (flour mills, breakfast cereal manufacturers)Agricultural cooperatives managing grain storage facilities

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Grain Trading & Commodities

mid-size

Target: Grain trading companies handling cereal imports/exports

If you are a grain trader dealing with rejected shipments due to mycotoxin contamination — this project developed a rapid dust sampling device validated in the field for use during loading and unloading of shipments. Combined with multiplex dipstick immunoassays that detect multiple mycotoxins simultaneously in wheat, barley, and maize, you can screen incoming grain on-site in minutes instead of waiting days for lab results. The project covered 5 major mycotoxin types across 14 countries.

Animal Feed Manufacturing

any

Target: Feed mills and animal nutrition companies

If you are a feed manufacturer worried about mycotoxin-contaminated cereals entering your production line — this project built DNA aptamer-based strip tests and fluorescence polarization immunoassays that detect aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins, and ochratoxin A in your raw materials. The project also explored alternative safe ways to use contaminated batches, potentially turning waste into usable product. With 33 partners across the consortium, the tools were tested across diverse supply chain conditions.

Precision Agriculture & Crop Management

any

Target: Agricultural cooperatives and large-scale cereal farms

If you manage maize, wheat, or barley production and need to predict contamination risk before harvest — this project delivered DSS-maize, a prototype decision support system that jointly predicts 4 major mycotoxins in maize based on weather and field data. Combined with remote real-time climate monitoring tools and geographical maps of toxigenic fungi distribution, you can make data-driven decisions about when to harvest and how to store grain to minimize contamination.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to implement these mycotoxin detection tools?

The project developed multiple rapid test formats (dipstick immunoassays, DNA aptamer strips, fluorescence polarization assays) designed specifically for cost-effective on-site application. Based on available project data, specific pricing per test is not published, but the explicit design goal was affordability compared to traditional laboratory analysis. Contact the consortium for licensing terms and unit economics.

Can these tools work at industrial scale in a real supply chain?

The dust sampling device was validated in the field during actual loading and unloading of shipments and during food/feed storage. The immunoassays were validated in-house on real wheat, barley, and maize samples. However, the decision support system (DSS-maize) is described as a prototype, suggesting it needs further scaling before full commercial deployment.

Who owns the IP and how can I license these technologies?

The project was coordinated by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italy's national research council) with 33 partners across 14 countries. IP ownership likely follows EU Horizon 2020 rules where each partner owns the results they generate. For licensing specific tools like the dipstick assays or DSS-maize, you would need to contact the relevant partner through the coordinator.

Do these tools meet EU food safety regulations?

The project was explicitly designed to provide input for legislation and support EU regulatory compliance for mycotoxin limits in food and feed. The immunoassays target regulated mycotoxins (aflatoxins, DON, zearalenone, fumonisins, ochratoxin A) at levels relevant to EU maximum limits. Based on available project data, formal regulatory certification of individual test kits is not confirmed.

How quickly can I get results compared to lab testing?

The rapid test strips (dipstick immunoassays and DNA aptamer tests) are designed for on-site, real-time use — meaning results in minutes rather than the days required for laboratory analysis. The dust sampling method works during active loading/unloading operations, enabling immediate screening decisions without stopping operations.

Can the prediction system integrate with my existing farm management software?

DSS-maize is a prototype decision support system that predicts 4 major mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, DON, zearalenone) in maize. The project also developed an ICT tool called MycoKey App designed to provide forecasting and decision support. Based on available project data, integration APIs or compatibility with specific farm management platforms are not detailed.

What kind of support is available for implementation?

The consortium of 33 partners includes 4 SMEs and 8 universities across 14 countries, with particular strength in Europe and China. The project ran for over 4 years (2016-2020) and produced 30 deliverables. Post-project support would depend on individual partner availability, but the coordinator (CNR, Italy) can direct inquiries to the relevant technology developers.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a large-scale consortium with 33 partners spanning 14 countries, giving it broad geographic credibility but a low industry ratio at just 3%. The partnership is research-heavy (8 universities, 8 research institutes) with only 4 SMEs and limited direct industry involvement. For a business buyer, this means the science is robust and well-validated across multiple institutions, but commercialization will likely require additional industry partnerships to bring these tools to market. The inclusion of 11 Chinese institutions (mentioned in the objective) is notable for companies operating in or trading with China, where mycotoxin contamination is a significant issue. The coordinator, Italy's National Research Council (CNR), is a credible and well-resourced public research body.

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHECoordinator · IT
INSTITUTE OF PLANT PROTECTION CHINESE ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURE SCIENCESparticipant · CN
INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE-DEZVOLTARE PENTRU BIORESURSE ALIMENTAREparticipant · RO
EIDGENOESSISCHES DEPARTEMENT FUER WIRTSCHAFT, BILDUNG UND FORSCHUNGparticipant · CH
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTUREparticipant · NG
UNIVERSITEIT GENTparticipant · BE
SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITYparticipant · CN
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
LESAFFRE INTERNATIONALparticipant · FR
TURKIYE BILIMSEL VE TEKNOLOJIK ARASTIRMA KURUMUparticipant · TR
JIANGSU ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES*JAASparticipant · CN
UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIAparticipant · ES
Zhejiang Universityparticipant · CN
UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE RIO CUARTOparticipant · AR
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE - UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADEparticipant · RS
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciencesparticipant · CN
UNIVERSITA CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUOREparticipant · IT
STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCHparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Italy — contact via CORDIS project page or MycoKey website

Order a report on this consortium See CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to connect with the MycoKey team about licensing their rapid detection kits or decision support system? SciTransfer can arrange an introduction and help you evaluate which tools fit your supply chain. Contact us for a free one-page technology brief.

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