Mycotoxin Research最新文献

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.

Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens and pose significant risks to food safety and public health worldwide. Aflatoxins include Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), Aflatoxin G2 (AFG2), and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). AFB1 is particularly notorious for its carcinogenicity, classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Chronic exposure to aflatoxins through contaminated food and feed can lead to liver cancer, immunosuppression, growth impairment, and other systemic health issues. Efforts to mitigate aflatoxin contamination have traditionally relied on chemical treatments, physical separation methods, and biological degradation. However, these approaches often pose challenges related to safety, efficacy, and impact on food quality. Recently, cold plasma treatment has emerged as a promising alternative. Cold plasma generates reactive oxygen species, which effectively degrade aflatoxins on food surfaces without compromising nutritional integrity or safety. This review consolidates current research and advancements in aflatoxin detoxification, highlighting the potential of cold plasma technology to revolutionize food safety practices. By exploring the mechanisms of aflatoxin toxicity, evaluating existing detoxification methods, and discussing the principles and applications of cold plasma treatment.

A viable strategy for addressing the aflatoxin issue using two enterosorbents prepared from marigold petals and guava leaves was validated. The enterosorbents were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain information about the surface functional groups, microstructure, multi-elemental composition, degree of crystallinity, and phase analysis. The potential of the enterosorbents in decreasing aflatoxin uptake and bioavailability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions (including the replication of chemical and enzymatic factors) was estimated using the isotherm models of Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich. Under the simulated gastric and intestinal conditions, marigold removed almost all the mycotoxin at doses of 0.25 and 0.125% (w/w); however, guava leaves efficiently adsorbed the toxin when using doses up to 0.5 and 0.25% (w/w), respectively. Equilibrium adsorption data followed preferentially the Freundlich model, the values of the Freundlich constant (K_F) for marigold were 37.3 and 7.1 times higher than those of guava leaves, respectively. Additionally, the n value was > 1, indicative that adsorption was mainly dominated by physical mechanisms. Overall, this research provides insights into the practical application of natural enterosorbents offering a promising approach for AFB₁ removal.

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) are poisons that contaminate poorly stored staple foods in resource-limited settings. Antenatal AFB₁ and FB₁ exposure may cause anaemia. We aimed to determine the associations of urinary aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and FB₁, biomarkers of AFB₁ and FB₁ exposure, respectively, with erythrocyte parameters and anaemia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 68 HIV-infected and 61 HIV-uninfected pregnant women ≥ 20 weeks gestational age in Harare, Zimbabwe. AFM₁ and FB₁ were measured in urine via competitive ELISA, and levels were grouped into tertiles. The erythrocyte parameters assessed were haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), and red blood cell distribution width. Associations of urinary AFM₁ and FB₁ with erythrocyte parameters, and anaemia were assessed in a multiple regression controlled for potential confounders. The presence of FB₁ in urine decreased Hb levels in all women (β= -0.98, 95% CI: -1.94, 0.02) and HIV-uninfected (β= -1.99, 95% CI: -3.71, -0.26). FB₁ tertile 3 decreased Hb levels (β= -0.88, 95% CI: -1.74, 0.01) and HCT levels (β= -2.65, 95% CI: -5.26, 0.03) in HIV-infected. AFM₁ tertile 2 decreased RBC levels in HIV-infected (β= -0.34, 95% CI: -0.71, -0.03). The presence of FB₁ in urine increased anaemia risk in HIV-uninfected (OR: 10.68 95% CI: 1.02, 112.34). AFM₁ tertile 2 increased macrocytic anaemia risk in HIV-infected (OR: 13.72, 95% CI: 0.92, 203.55). There is need to ensure food safety through monitoring and nutritional interventions to improve maternal-infant health outcomes.

This study examined the effects of fumonisins (FBs) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), alone or in combination, on the productivity and health of laying hens, as well as the transfer of aflatoxins (AFs) to chicken food products. The efficacy and safety of mycotoxin detoxifiers (bentonite and fumonisin esterase) to mitigate these effects were also assessed. Laying hens (400) were divided into 20 groups and fed a control, moderate (54.6 µg/kg feed) or high (546 µg/kg feed) AFB1 or FBs (7.9 mg/kg feed) added diets, either alone or in combination, with the mycotoxin detoxifiers added in selected diets. Productivity was evaluated by feed intake, egg weight, egg production, and feed conversion ratio whereas health was assessed by organ weights, blood biochemistry, and mortality. Aflatoxins residues in plasma, liver, muscle, and eggs were determined using UHPLC-MS/MS methods. A diet with AFB1 at a concentration of 546 µg/kg feed decreased egg production and various AFB1-contaminated diets increased serum uric acid levels and weights of liver, spleen, heart, and gizzard. Interactions between AFB1 and FBs significantly impacted spleen, heart, and gizzard weights as well as AFB1 residues in eggs. Maximum AFB1 residues of 0.64 µg/kg and aflatoxin M1 (below limits of quantification) were observed in liver, plasma, and eggs of layers fed diets with AFB1. The mycotoxin detoxifiers reduced effects of AFB1 and FBs on egg production, organ weights, blood biochemistry, and AFB1 residues in tissues. This study highlights the importance of mycotoxin detoxifiers as a mitigation strategy against mycotoxins in poultry production.