Mycological Safety in Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) Drinks: Cultivation, Contaminants, and Compliance Strategies

In recent times, the safety of nutritional food drinks such as tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L., Cyperaceae) drinks has been a major concern to food scientists. This chapter focuses on the growing safety concerns associated with tiger nut drinks (TNDs), especially from a mycological standpoint, and also seeks to provide insights into sustainable cultivation, harvesting, and processing techniques for this popular beverage in parts of the Global South. This chapter discusses fungal contaminants of tiger nuts and TNDs and highlights factors promoting the contamination and the associated health risks. The chapter also scrutinizes analytical methods for the mycological assessment of tiger nuts and TNDs including molecular and culture-based microbiological analysis and physicochemical analysis for detecting mycotoxins. Regulatory standards and guidelines at both international and regional levels concerning mycotoxin levels in food and general mycological safety along with processes for compliance and enforcement are examined. This chapter provides sustainable mitigation strategies to reduce mycological risks from food and food drinks, with an emphasis on implementing Good Manufacturing Practices in the production of tiger nut-based drinks. Case studies and analyses presented in this chapter reveal that fungi such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, and Cladosporium species have been detected in tiger nuts and TNDs and some of these fungi are known to produce both harmful and beneficial mycotoxins. The chapter concludes by evaluating potential future advancements, emphasizing innovative developments in mycological safety research and new technologies aimed at enhancing the safety profile of TDNs. The chapter provides a useful foundation for informed decision-making and ongoing food industry development and transformation in the Global South through the expanded understanding of food mycological safety.