1
|
Esperança VJR, Moreira PIO, Chávez DWH, Freitas-Silva O. Evaluation of the safety and quality of Brazil nuts ( Bertholletia excelsa) using the tools of dna sequencing technology and aflatoxin profile. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1357778. [PMID: 38665301 PMCID: PMC11044678 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1357778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Brazil nuts (BNs) result from sustainable extraction and are widely exploited in the Amazon region. Due to the production characteristics in the forest and the nutritional characteristics of these nuts, the occurrence of fungal contamination and the presence of aflatoxins are extensively discussed in the literature as a great aspect of interest and concern. This study aims to evaluate the microbial profile through DNA sequencing and amplification of 16S and ITS genes for bacterial and fungal analysis, respectively, and the presence of mycotoxins using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) from different fractions of the nuts processed. Methods The BN samples, harvest A (HA) and harvest B (HB), from two different harvests were collected in an extractive cooperative in the Amazon region for microbiological analysis (from DNA extraction and amplification of 16S genes, bacteria analysis, and ITS for fungi) and mycotoxins (aflatoxins AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) using HPLC-FD/KobraCell®. Results and discussion The samples showed a very different microbiome and aflatoxin profile. Genera such as Rothia (HA) and Cronobacter (HB) were abundant during the analysis of bacteria; as for fungi, the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria were also considered prevalent in these samples. Soil microorganisms, including those pathogenic and related to inadequate hygienic-sanitary production practices, as well as aflatoxins, were found in the samples. However, they were within the established limits permitted by Brazilian legislation. Nuts have a diverse microbiota and are not restricted to fungi of the genus Aspergillus. The microbiological and toxicological profile can vary significantly within the same nut in the same extraction region and can be exacerbated by global climate changes. Therefore, it is necessary to advance sanitary educational actions by applying good production practices and inspection programs to ensure the sustainability and quality of the BN production chain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor J. R. Esperança
- Food and Nutrition Graduate Program, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (PPGAN/UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula I. O. Moreira
- Food and Nutrition Graduate Program, Federal University of State of Rio de Janeiro (PPGAN/UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Davy W. H. Chávez
- Post Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Otniel Freitas-Silva
- Embrapa Food Technology, Office of Research and Development (Sector: Operational Units – Plan V), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ali S, Battaglini Franco B, Theodoro Rezende V, Gabriel Dionisio Freire L, Lima de Paiva E, Clara Fogacio Haikal M, Leme Guerra E, Eliana Rosim R, Gustavo Tonin F, Savioli Ferraz I, Antonio Del Ciampo L, Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira C. Exposure assessment of children to dietary mycotoxins: A pilot study conducted in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Food Res Int 2024; 180:114087. [PMID: 38395556 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to mycotoxins through food is a major health concern, especially for youngsters. This study performed a preliminary investigation on children's exposure to dietary mycotoxins in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Sampling procedures were conducted between August and December 2022, to collect foods (N = 213) available for consumption in the households of children (N = 67), including preschoolers (aged 3-6 years, n = 21), schoolers (aged 7-10 years, n = 15), and adolescents (aged 11-17 years, n = 31) cared in the Vila Lobato Community Social Medical Center of Ribeirão Preto. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to determine concentrations of the mycotoxins in foods. Mycotoxins measured in all foods comprised aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Higher incidence and levels were found for FBs, ZEN, and DON in several commonly consumed foods. Furthermore, 32.86 % foods had two to four quantifiable mycotoxins in various combinations. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) values were lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for AFs, FBs, and ZEN, but higher than the TDI (1.0 µg/kg bw/day) for DON, hence indicating a health risk for all children age groups. Preschoolers and adolescents were exposed to DON through wheat products (EDIs: 2.696 ± 7.372 and 1.484 ± 2.395 µg/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively), while schoolers were exposed through wheat products (EDI: 1.595 ± 1.748 µg/kg bw/day) and rice (EDI: 1.391 ± 1.876 µg/kg bw/day). The results indicate that wheat-based foods and rice may be risky to children, implying the need for stringent measures to avoid DON contamination in these products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sher Ali
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil.
| | - Bruna Battaglini Franco
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Theodoro Rezende
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP) -Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Gabriel Dionisio Freire
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Esther Lima de Paiva
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Clara Fogacio Haikal
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Eloiza Leme Guerra
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Roice Eliana Rosim
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Fernando Gustavo Tonin
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Ivan Savioli Ferraz
- Department of Puericulture and Pediatrics, Medical School at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP)-Ribeirão Preto, 14051-200, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Antonio Del Ciampo
- Department of Puericulture and Pediatrics, Medical School at Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (USP)-Ribeirão Preto, 14051-200, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Augusto Fernandes de Oliveira
- Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo (USP)-Fernando Costa Campus, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|