Research on Infection and Toxin Producing Mechanism of Postharvest penicillium in Citrus

Citrus fruits are the largest fruit crop in China. Post-harvest green mold is one of the major diseases that affect the quality and safety of citrus fruits, as it poses a risk of mycotoxins contamination. Current research primarily focuses on the infection mechanism of Penicillium digitatum, while other important Penicillium play a significant role in citrus infection and toxin production. The mycotoxins produced can pose a serious threat to food safety. In this review, we provide an overview of the infection and toxin producing mechanisms of the main green mold fungi affecting citrus post-harvest, analyze the current research trends and directions in the field of citrus green mold disease, aiming to reduce the risk of fungal toxin contamination and promote quality improvement and efficiency in the citrus industry, providing new research perspectives for enhancing citrus quality and supporting industry development.