Nutritional Modulation of Epigenetic Changes Induced by Mycotoxins: A Biochemical Perspective for At-Risk Populations in Africa

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, are widespread contaminants of staple foods in Sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to acute toxicity and chronic diseases such as cancer, stunting, and immune dysfunction. Recent evidence has illuminated their capacity to induce epigenetic changes, including alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA expression, without modifying the DNA sequence. These disruptions, particularly when combined with nutritional deficiencies, can have long-lasting effects on gene regulation and disease susceptibility. This review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed studies published between 2007 and 2025, exploring how key nutrients modulate the epigenetic toxicity of common mycotoxins like aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and fumonisin B1. A systematic literature search identified studies evaluating the biochemical and epigenetic responses to mycotoxin exposure and the mitigating roles of dietary factors such as folate, vitamin B12, choline, polyphenols, selenium, and short-chain fatty acids. These nutrients support critical pathways, including one-carbon metabolism, antioxidant defense, and gut microbiota modulation, which intersect with epigenetic regulation. Findings highlight that methyl donors can restore DNA methylation balance, antioxidants can prevent oxidative stress-induced histone and DNA damage, and fiber-rich diets promote microbial metabolites that act as epigenetic modulators. Additionally, exposure to multiple mycotoxins exerts synergistic effects that amplify epigenetic damage, especially in nutritionally vulnerable populations. This review also discusses emerging intersections between mycotoxins and biochemical domains such as neuroepigenetics, mitochondrial signaling, and microbiome-host interactions. Nutritional interventions ranging from diet diversification to bioactive-rich functional foods and probiotic supplementation emerge as promising, culturally adaptable strategies for mitigating these epigenetic threats. An integrative framework is proposed, linking food safety, public health policy, and personalized nutrition to strengthen resilience in affected communities. In conclusion, nutrition-sensitive interventions targeting epigenetic mechanisms offer a feasible and impactful approach to reducing the long-term health burden of mycotoxins in Africa. Future research should focus on biomarker discovery, field-based dietary trials, and AI-driven predictive models to inform context-specific mitigation strategies.