Mycotoxin Research最新文献

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly toxic mycotoxin commonly found in oilseeds and nuts, poses serious public health and economic risks. Türkiye's climatic conditions are conducive to AFB1 contamination, particularly in sesame- and nut-based foods. This study investigated the presence of AFB1 in 100 widely consumed samples of tahini, tahini halva, hazelnut paste, and peanut paste. AFB1 was detected in 67% of the samples, with exceedances of the European Commission (EC) limit (2 µg/kg) notably high in tahini halva (80%) and peanut paste (60%); in contrast none of the hazelnut paste samples surpassed the legal threshold. The findings indicated that no samples of hazelnut paste exceeded the legal limits set by the EC. However, 4 tahini (13.33%), 24 tahini halva (80%), and 12 peanut paste (60%) samples exceeded the EC limits. Dietary exposure estimates were calculated based on lower bound (LB), middle bound (MB), and upper bound (UB) contamination scenarios. Margin of exposure (MOE) values for tahini halva were consistently below the safety threshold of 10,000, suggesting a possible health concern. The estimated annual incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to AFB1 exposure ranged from 0.000888 to 0.00219 cases per 100,000 adults, remaining below European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) reference risk levels. These findings underscore the need for targeted surveillance and stricter regulatory controls on sesame-based products, particularly tahini halva, within national food safety frameworks.

The presence of mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A (OTA) and deoxynivalenol (DON), in tortillas raises potential food safety concerns, particularly in regions where these products constitute a dietary staple. In the present study, the natural occurrence and concentrations of OTA and DON were determined in commercially available tortillas in Turkey. A total of 84 tortilla samples were analysed using an in-house validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. OTA was detected in 25% of the samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.079 to 0.93 µg/kg, all of which remained below the European Union maximum level (EU ML) of 3 µg/kg. DON was found in 10.7% of the samples, with concentrations between 13.1 and 158 µg/kg, also within the EU ML of 400 µg/kg. Co-occurrence of OTA and DON was observed in three samples. These findings highlight considered variability among products, likely attributable to differences in raw material quality, environmental conditions, and post-harvest handling practices. This variability underscores the need for enhanced regulatory surveillance, improved storage conditions, and the implementation of optimised processing technologies. Furthermore, the estimated dietary exposure levels for both OTA and DON were found to pose no significant health risks under current consumption patterns.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has a crucial role in the livelihoods and nutrition of many rural households in Ethiopia. Mycotoxin contamination is a major challenge affecting the quality and safety of stored grains. The objective of this study was to evaluate farmers' knowledge and management of sorghum mycotoxin contamination in Dejen District, North East Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess farmers' knowledge and management of mycotoxin contamination in stored sorghum. Data were collected by using semi-structured questionnaires. Bi-variate and multi-variate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with farmers' knowledge and management practices. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS version 23. The study revealed that a significant proportion of farmers in the study area lack adequate knowledge (29%) and practices (40.57%) to mitigate mycotoxin contamination. In stored grain, only 6% of the farmers had information about fungi, yeasts, and their growth in foods and their harmful effects. Similarly, 2% of the respondents knew that molds are harmful to humans and animals. Only 5% of the farmers applied preventive measures to reduce mycotoxin contamination in stored grains. The results of this study showed that village location and educational status were significant predictors of knowledge, while age, village location, and educational status were significant predictors of management skills. Village location (Layamba: AOR 0.082, 95% CI 0.012-0.572) and educational status (secondary education: AOR 5.075, 95% CI 1.511-21.537) significantly predicted knowledge. Age (22-35 years: AOR 3.414, 95% CI 1.352-8.620), village (Ambayamit: AOR 0.149, 95% CI 0.028-0.796), and education (secondary: AOR 14.105, 95% CI 2.905-68.475) influenced management practices. Targeted interventions addressing geographic and educational disparities are essential to enhance awareness and practices, ensuring food safety. Targeted interventions actions are needed to improve farmers' awareness and management practices. Policy interventions are needed to address knowledge and practice gaps in mycotoxin contamination management. These interventions should target specific groups based on age, geographic location, and education status to mitigate mycotoxin contamination and improve food safety.

Abtract: Rice is a significant source of both nutritional and economic sustenance in Nigeria, but contamination by fungi and their toxic metabolites in addition to naturally occurring phytotoxins may pose significant challenges to grain quality and consumer health. This study assessed the safety of 80 rice samples retailed in open markets in two Nigerian states by identifying fungal contaminants using phenotypic and molecular techniques and quantifying the secondary metabolites present in the grains through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 101 distinct colonies were recovered and identified as nine species belonging to six genera: Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Monascus, Penicillium and Talaromyces. At least one third (30.4%) of the identified species were Aspergillus flavus, while A. montevidensis, Cladosporium halotolerans, Monascus purpureus, Talaromyces islandicus and T. purpureogenus recorded the least incidences of 4.3%. Sixteen mycotoxins and 48 other secondary metabolites including diverse fungal and lichen metabolites, plant toxins and phytoestrogenic phenols were detected in the rice samples. Moniliformin (MON) and beauvericin were the most common mycotoxins, present in 43% of samples, with MON reaching a maximum concentration of 19,391 µg/kg. Aflatoxins contaminated 18% of samples, generally below Nigeria's 10 µg/kg regulatory limit but in one case exceeding the European Union's threshold of 4 µg/kg. This study emphasizes the need to expand chemical contaminant monitoring in foods beyond the regular aflatoxin detection to include a wider spectrum of secondary metabolites and also to comprehensively review and enhance grain handling and retail practices in local/open markets to protect consumer health.

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a carcinogenic mycotoxin produced by certain filamentous fungi that contaminate agricultural crops. Conventional decontamination methods are still widely used to ensure food safety; however, novel technologies for AFB₁ decontamination, while promising, aim to be efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. This article provides an overview of conventional and novel technologies used over the past decade to achieve AFB₁ decontamination rates of 75% or higher, as well as patents related to aflatoxin decontamination. The results highlight various methods and their effectiveness in decontaminating AFB₁ in rice, barley, maize, peanuts, millet, nuts, sorghum, wheat bran, pistachios, edible oils, dairy products, and certain culture media. Novel technologies include sorbents, cold atmospheric plasma, essential oils, phenolic compounds, and plant extracts, as well as magnetic materials and nanoparticles for AFB₁ decontamination. Limitations associated with conventional methods have driven the search for novel approaches that, while showing great potential, often lack detailed explanations of their mechanisms of action and practical demonstrations on an industrial scale. Cold atmospheric plasma combined with high voltage is believed to hold significant promise for effectively reducing AFB₁ in food while minimizing food residues. The new AFB₁ decontamination methods described in this review can serve as valuable resources for researchers and industry stakeholders; however, further studies are needed to ensure global food safety.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a stable and highly toxic toxin that causes multi-organ toxicity with sustained ingestion, most typically in the duck liver. Previous research has shown that AFB1 can bring about endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in animals, and ERS is strongly associated with lipid metabolism. However, the relationship between AFB1-induced duck liver toxicity and ERS and lipid metabolism is currently unclear. Great attention has been paid to the prevention and treatment of AFB1 because of its great harm. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol, is notable for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies have shown curcumin to be protective against afb1-induced avian multi-organ toxicity. However, the effects of curcumin on the liver of ducks exposed to AFB1 are largely unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether AFB1 exposure induces ERS and lipid metabolism disorders in duck liver, while exploring the positive role of curcumin in it. One-day-old ducks (n = 80) were randomly divided in four groups: control group, AFB1 group (0.1 mg / kg.bw AFB1), Cur group (400 mg/kg curcumin), and AFB1 + Cur group (0.1 mg/kg.bw AFB1 + 400 mg/kg curcumin), and blood and liver were collected for the study after 21 days of continuous administration. Our research has found that AFB1 exposure significantly increases the levels of liver function indicators ALP, AST, and ALT in ducks' serum (P < 0.05). Duck liver undergoes fatty degeneration under the influence of AFB1. Under the effect of curcumin, AFB1-induced structural damage in duck liver was somewhat controlled. Further experimental results showed that AFB1 treatment significantly increased the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (P < 0.001), and activated the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Meanwhile, AFB1 inhibited the LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway and disrupted lipid metabolic homeostasis. And curcumin treatment effectively reversed these changes. Overall, our results suggest that curcumin attenuates AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in ducks by inhibiting ERS and lipid metabolism disorders.

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by certain molds, especially Aspergillus species, which are commonly found in nature. These toxins can contaminate animal feed and lead to aflatoxicosis in various livestock species. It has been proposed that using bentonite could help alleviate the symptoms of aflatoxicosis. Recent research, however, has highlighted the importance of the activation process in enhancing bentonite's inhibitory activity against aflatoxicosis. To further investigate this, 40 mice were randomly divided into four dietary groups: a control diet, an aflatoxins-contaminated diet (2 mg/kg), an aflatoxins-contaminated diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg diet and inactive bentonite (5 g/kg diet), and an aflatoxins-contaminated diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg diet and activated bentonite (5 g/kg diet) for 4 weeks. The results demonstrated that bentonite activation improved its specific surface area and total pore volume. Additionally, aflatoxins significantly negatively impacted various parameters such as average daily weight gain, food intake, liver enzymes, serum redox potential, morphometric characteristics of the jejunum, and induced hepatic inflammation. The study found that the dietary addition of both non-activated and activated bentonite significantly improved these parameters. However, activated bentonite displayed greater potency in alleviating the symptoms of aflatoxicosis compared to non-activated bentonite. As a result, it is recommended to use activated bentonite when dealing with aflatoxin contamination in animal diets.

Mycotoxins are a major food safety concern due to their impact on human health and the economy. Traditional methods for managing mycotoxin contamination in food are insufficient, particularly when faced with the challenges of co-occurring, modified, and emerging mycotoxins. This review investigates the potential of microbiological decontamination techniques with an emphasis on recent developments in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Investigating mycotoxin-degrading microbes, including their metabolic pathways and enzymatic mechanisms, is key to developing effective strategies against mycotoxin contamination. Advanced technologies like next-generation sequencing, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), and nanotechnology enable the engineering, optimization, and validation of crucial decontamination parameters. Furthermore, AI algorithms can predict mycotoxin presence, identify ideal microbial agents, and optimize control conditions. This interdisciplinary approach offers transformative potential for improving mycotoxin decontamination and mitigating its risks in food and feed. The convergence of emerging technologies, such as advancements in molecular biology, nanotechnology, and AI, with microbiological decontamination methods holds immense promise for developing more sustainable and effective approaches to address mycotoxin contamination in the future. This review explores the future of mycotoxin decontamination, emphasizing the need for innovative agricultural practices to ensure food safety and security.

This study evaluated aqueous Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract in drinking water as a mitigation strategy against Aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity in broilers, focusing on performance, haematology, serum biochemistry, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cellular stress markers, and liver histology. Two hundred and forty (240) day-old chicks (mixed sex), of the Cobb 500 breed were divided into four groups: control (CONT), AFB1-exposed (AFLB1), and two treatment groups (VE1AF and VE2AF) receiving 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 and Vernonia amygdalina aqueous extract at 1 g/L and 2 g/L, respectively. At 42 days, VE1AF and VE2AF chickens showed higher (P < 0.05) final weights and weight gains than CONT and AFLB1 groups. The red blood cells, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, and white blood cell counts were higher (P < 0.05) in CONT, VE1AF, and VE2AF groups compared to AFLB1. Mean cell volume, and mean cell haemaoglobin were higher (P < 0.05) in AFLB1 and VE2AF. Serum analysis revealed lower (P < 0.05) total protein, globulin, and albumin in AFLB1, which were restored by the extract. The tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and interferon-γ, were elevated (P < 0.05) in AFLB1 but reduced in VE1AF and VE2AF. The heat shock protein 70, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and adiponectin levels were higher (P < 0.05) in AFLB1, but were normalized by the extract in VE1AF and VE2AF. Leptin and triiodothyronine levels were significantly (P < 0.05) better in VE1AF and VE2AF, compared to AFLB1. Liver histology showed reduced inflammation in VE1AF and VE2AF, with near-normal hepatic architecture. In conclusion, Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract effectively counteracts AFB1 toxicity, enhancing overall health and performance in broiler chickens.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEN) are the most prevalent mycotoxins in production, posing a serious threat to human and animal health. Therefore, it is very urgent to find a safe and efficient method for the biodegradation of these mycotoxins. Our previous study demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis ZJ-2019-1 moderately degrades both mycotoxins in vitro and ZEN in female gilts. In this study, we assessed the effect of B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1 on AFB1 and ZEN degradation in naturally moldy corn gluten meal in a gastrointestinal environment while also evaluating the cytotoxicity of degradation products using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The efficacy of B. subtilis in degrading mycotoxins was further evaluated by orally administering 5 mg/kg AFB1 and 50 mg/kg ZEN to mice, followed by treatment with B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1 for 15 d. The results showed that B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1 moderately degraded both AFB1 and ZEN present in naturally moldy corn gluten meal in simulated small intestinal fluids, with degradation rates reaching 14.71% for AFB1 and 19.53% for ZEN respectively. Following degradation by B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1, the toxicity of resulting products from both AFB1 and ZEN decreased by 11.68-46.41% and 42.62-59.25%, respectively. Moreover, oral administration of B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1 exhibited remarkable detoxification effects on AFB1 and ZEN in mice, as evidenced by significant restoration of abnormal serum biochemical indices (including aspartate aminotransferase/alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, etc.) and alleviation of liver, intestine, and uterine damage caused by mycotoxins in mice. These findings indicate that B. subtilis ZJ-2019-1 possesses the ability to moderately degrade both AFB1 and ZEN, making it a promising candidate for biodegrading multi-mycotoxin contaminants in food and feed.