Mycotoxins in Tomatoes and Tomato Products in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

Mycotoxins refer to toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi that pose significant health risks through contaminated food consumption. In Nigeria, favorable tropical conditions contribute to widespread fungal proliferation, raising concerns over mycotoxin contamination beyond staple crops to include commonly consumed vegetables like tomatoes. Therefore, the present review was to enrich the data bank of information on mycotoxins  incidence, types, and levels in tomatoes and tomato products in Nigeria adopting the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta–analyses (PRISMA) instruction for documenting meta-analyses and systematic reviews and evaluating the risk factors for mycotoxin contamination and health risks associated with mycotoxin exposure from tomato consumption exposure. Data relating to mycotoxins in tomatoes and tomato products in Nigeria and related works were gathered from various search engines, including Google Scholar, ResearchGate, African Journals Online, and Scopus. Thirty one (31) pooled data studies were extracted using the developed systematic review method, which was utilized to analyze the extent of research on mycotoxins in tomato and tomato products in Nigeria. This systematic review synthesizes existing research on fungal species involved, types and levels of mycotoxins detected, and risk factors associated with tomato contamination across Nigerian regions. Key mycotoxins identified include aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, and trichothecenes, all linked to serious health effects such as carcinogenicity, immunosuppression, and endocrine disruption. Despite documented contamination in other commodities, tomatoes have received limited focused study, revealing critical knowledge gaps in surveillance, risk assessment, and regulation. Climate, poor agricultural and storage practices, and contamination during handling contribute to mycotoxin proliferation in tomatoes. Addressing these challenges through targeted research and improved monitoring is essential for mitigating public health risks and enhancing food safety in Nigeria.