➤ Research Overview

At the AU FOOD Department, our research focuses on understanding risks associated with natural toxins (mycotoxins and cyanotoxins) and emerging contaminants in novel foods. Using advanced LC-MS/MS methods and in vitro models, we investigate toxic effects of contaminants and their mixtures on human health. This interdisciplinary approach bridges food toxicology and human health.

➤ Lab Members

Name	Position	Research Focus	Contact	Link
Dr. Mohamed Fathi Abdallah	Principal Investigator	Natural toxins, LC-MS/MS, In vitro toxicology	mfa [at] food.au.dk	AU Profile

➤ Research Lines

A) Natural Toxins in Food

Detection and occurrence of mycotoxins and cyanotoxins in food products using LC-MS/MS and targeted/non-targeted analytical approaches.

Related publications:

WR Van Hassel, MF Abdallah, MG Velasquez, C Miles, I Samdal, J Masquelier, A Rajkovic (2024). Experimental accumulation and depuration kinetics and natural occurrence of microcystin-LR in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Environmental Pollution, 123715. [Link]
C Van Camp, W Van Hassel, MF Abdallah, J Masquelier (2023). Simultaneous detection and quantification of aflatoxin M1, eight microcystin congeners and nodularin in dairy milk by LC-MS/MS. Chemosensors, 11(10), 511. (Open Access) [Link] [Download PDF]
L De Colli, K De Ruyck, MF Abdallah, J Finnan, E Mullins, S Kildea, J Spink, C Elliott, M Danaher (2021). Natural co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in unprocessed oats grown in Ireland with various production systems. Toxins, 13(3), 188. (Open Access) [Link] [Download PDF]
MF Abdallah*, K Audenaert, L Lust, S Landschoot, B Bekaert, G Haesaert, M De Boevre, S De Saeger (2020). Risk characterization and quantification of mycotoxins and their producing fungi in sugarcane juice. Food Control, 108, 106811. [Link]
MF Abdallah, G Girgin, T Baydar, R Krska, M Sulyok (2017). Occurrence of multiple mycotoxins and other fungal metabolites in animal feed and maize samples from Egypt using LC-MS/MS. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 97(13), 4419–4428. [Link]
MF Abdallah, R Krska, M Sulyok (2016). Mycotoxin contamination in sugarcane grass and juice: first report on detection of multiple mycotoxins and exposure assessment for aflatoxins B1 and G1 in humans. Toxins, 8(11), 343. (Open Access) [Link] [Download PDF]

A) Mixture Toxicology, Risk Assessment & Human Health

Investigation of combined toxic effects of food contaminants using in vitro models and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).

Related publications:

M Suman, M Oboeuf, MF Abdallah, C Hazel, E Varga, A Mally, A Medina, M Molero, A Sansom, KJ Korzeniowski (2025). Framework on risk prioritisation of mycotoxins in food: a case study in two wheat-based products. World Mycotoxin Journal. [Link]
C Dongye, X Chen, Y Zhao, H Li, MF Abdallah, T Li, X Chen (2025). Protective effects of octyl gallate against deoxynivalenol-induced colon inflammation: insights from proteomic and metabolomic analyses. Environment & Health, 4c00250. [Link]
MF Abdallah*, JM Recote, C Van Camp, WHR Van Hassel, L Pedroni, L Dellafiora, J Masquelier, A Rajkovic (2024). Potential (co-)contamination of dairy milk with AFM1 and MC-LR. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 114907. [Link]
X Chen, MF Abdallah, C Grootaert, F Van Nieuwerburgh, A Rajkovic (2023). Combined toxicity of aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 in HepG2 cells. Environment International, 107945. (Open Access) [Link] [Download PDF]
X Chen, MF Abdallah, C Grootaert, A Rajkovic (2022). Bioenergetic status of intestinal and hepatic cells after short-term exposure to fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(13), 6945. (Open Access) [Link] [Download PDF]

➤ Current Projects

Our research activities are supported by competitive national and international funding sources. We are grateful to these foundations and programs for their support.

Status	Project	Funding Agency	Total Fund	Period	Role
Running	ToxiFOOD		DKK 13.88 M	2026 – 2031	PI

➤ Secured Funds

(2026-2031) Novo Nordisk Foundation - ECRUIT Grant for International Recruitment 2025 (Assistant Prof level) for the project "ToxiFOOD". Role: Principal Investigator. Total budget: DKK 13.88 Million (= € 1.86 Million). (Not started)
(2024) UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology (Action Kangaroo) for the project "Optimizing a one-plate method for a high throughput toxicity Screening". Role: Principal Researcher. Total budget: €5,000. (Discountined in 03/2025 due to starting a new position at Aarhus Uni, DK)
(2023-2026) Postdoctoral Fellowship, F.R.S-FNRS mandate, Belgium. Host institute: University of Mons, Belgium. Total budget: €215,000. (Discountined in 03/2025 due to starting a new position at Aarhus Uni, DK)
(2020-2023) Postdoctoral Fellowship-Special Research Fund Ghent University, Belgium. Research grant number BOF20/PDO/032. Total budget: €205,000. (Completed)
(2021) VLIRUOS Global Minds Grant from Ghent Uni for "AF-CYSTIN-milk" project to assess the incidence of aflatoxin M1 and microcystin-LR in dairy milk and their potential in vitro toxic interaction. Role: Principal Researcher. Total budget: €12,000. (Completed)
(2018) VLIRUOS Global Minds Grant from Ghent Uni for "MYCOSUGAR" project to investigate mycotoxin occurrence in sugarcane. Role: Principal Researcher. Total budget: €12,000. (Completed)

AU FOOD TOX Research Group