Analysis of Fusarium toxins in feed

Diversity of Mycotoxins and Other Secondary Metabolites Recovered from Blood Oranges Infected by Colletotrichum, Alternaria, and Penicillium Species

This study identified secondary metabolites produced by Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Penicillium digitatum in fruits of two blood orange cultivars before harvest. Analysis was performed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Three types of fruits were selected, asymptomatic, symptomatic showing necrotic lesions caused by hail, and mummified. Extracts from peel and juice were analyzed separately. Penicillium digitatum was the prevalent species recovered from mummified and hail-injured fruits. Among 47 secondary metabolites identified, 16, 18, and 13 were of A. alternata, C. gloeosporioides, and P. digitatum, respectively. Consistently with isolations, indicating the presence of these fungi also in asymptomatic fruits, the metabolic profiles of the peel of hail-injured and asymptomatic fruits did not differ substantially. Major differences were found in the profiles of juice from hail-injured and mummified fruits, such as a significant higher presence of 5,4-dihydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxy-6C-methylflavone and Atrovenetin, particularly in the juice of mummified fruits of the Tarocco Lempso cultivar. Moreover, the mycotoxins patulin and Rubratoxin B were detected exclusively in mummified fruits. Patulin was detected in both the juice and peel, with a higher relative abundance in the juice, while Rubratoxin B was detected only in the juice. These findings provide basic information for evaluating and preventing the risk of contamination by mycotoxins in the citrus fresh fruit supply chain and juice industry.

Deoxynivalenol: Mechanisms of action and its effects on various terrestrial and aquatic species

Deoxynivalenol, a type B trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species of fungi, is a ubiquitious contaminant of cereal grains worldwide. Chronic, low dose consumption of feeds contaminated with DON is associated with a wide range of symptoms in terrestrial and aquatic species including decreased feed intake and feed refusal, reduced weight gain, and altered nutritional efficiency. Acute, high dose exposure to DON may be associated with more severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The toxicity of DON is partly related to its ability to disrupt eukaryotic protein synthesis via binding to the peptidyl transferase site of the ribosome. Moreover, DON exerts its effects at the cellular level by activating mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) through a process known as the ribotoxic stress response (RSR). The outcome of DON-associated MAPK activation is dose and duration dependent; acute low dose exposure results in immunostimulation characterized by the upregulation of cytokines, chemokines and other proinflammatory-related proteins, whereas longer term exposure to higher doses generally results in apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and immunosuppression. The order of decreasing sensitivity to DON is considered to be: swine > rats > mice > poultry ≈ ruminants. However, studies conducted within the past 10 years have demonstrated that some species of fish, such as rainbow trout, are highly sensitive to DON. The aims of this review are to explore the effects of DON on terrestrial and aquatic species as well as its mechanisms of action, metabolism, and interaction with other Fusarium mycotoxins. Notably, a considerable emphasis is placed on reviewing the effects of DON on different species of fish.

Identification of type B trichothecenes and zearalenone in Chilean cereals by planar chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and HPTLC coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) methods were described for the simultaneous determination of zearalenone (ZEA); type B trichothecenes (TCT-B); nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) along with its acetylated derivatives: 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON). The extract samples were cleaned-up with Bond Elut Mycotoxin^® solid-phase extraction cartridges. Then, separation was performed on HPTLC silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates using toluene, ethyl acetate and formic acid (1:8:1 v/v/v) as mobile phase. Derivatisation was then performed with 10% aluminium trichloride in 50% methanol. Mycotoxin standards and spiked cereals grains were identified by UV spots at 366 nm, with retention factors (R_F) of 0.20 (NIV), 0.39 (DON), 0.45 (15-ADON), 0.50 (3-ADON) and 0.60 (ZEA). Some parameters of validation were determined. Calibration data (n = 5) fitted a linear regression model with determination coefficients, R² > 0.99. The recovery was determined in triplicate at two levels, ranging from 84.3 ± 2.2% to 114.2 ± 11.7%. Detection limits ranged from 80 to 120 μg kg^-1 and quantification limits ranged from 120.0 to 200 μg kg^-1. The analysis by HPTLC/electrospray (ESI)-MS in negative mode confirmed the presence of TCT-B and ZEA standards in Chilean cereals with mass signals at m/z 355, 371, 337, and 317 for DON, NIV, 3-ADON and 15-ADON, and ZEA, respectively.

Citrinin Determination in Food and Food Supplements by LC-MS/MS: Development and Use of Reference Materials in an International Collaborative Study

The development of incurred reference materials containing citrinin (CIT) and their successful application in a method validation study (MVS) in order to harmonize CIT determination in food and food supplements are demonstrated. CIT-contaminated materials made of red yeast rice (RYR), wheat flour, and Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBL), as well as food supplements made of red yeast rice (FS-RYR) and Ginkgo biloba leaves (FS-GBL), were manufactured in-house via fungal cultivation on collected raw materials. The homogeneity and stability from randomly selected containers were verified according to the ISO 13528. CIT was found to be homogenously distributed and stable in all contaminated materials, with no significant degradation during the timescale of the MVS when storage was performed up to +4 °C. Next, an MVS was organized with eighteen international laboratories using the provided standard operating procedure and 12 test materials, including three RYRs (blank, <50 µg/kg, <2000 µg/kg), two wheat flours (blank, <50 µg/kg), two GBL powders (blank, <50 µg/kg), three FS-RYRs (blank, <50 µg/kg, <2000 µg/kg), and two FS-GBLs (blank, <50 µg/kg). The results of seven CIT-incurred materials showed acceptable within-laboratory precision (RSDr) varying from 6.4% to 14.6% and between-laboratory precision (RSDR) varying from 10.2% to 37.3%. Evidenced by HorRat values < 2.0, the results of the collaborative trial demonstrated that the applied analytical method could be standardized. Furthermore, the appropriateness of producing CIT reference materials is an important step towards food and feed quality control systems and the organization of proficiency tests.

Fumonisin B1 exposure adversely affects porcine oocyte maturation in vitro by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress

Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), as the most toxic fumonisin, is a common Fusarium mycotoxin contaminant of feed stuff and food, posing a potential health hazard to animals and humans. FB₁ has been reported to cause hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity and embryotoxicity; however, little information is available on whether FB₁ has toxic effects on mammalian oocytes. Herein, we adopted porcine oocytes as models to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of FB₁ on mammalian oocytes during in vitro maturation. Porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were exposed to 0, 20, 30 and 40 μM FB₁ for 44 h during in vitro maturation, and the results reported that first polar body (PB1) extrusion was significantly inhibited when the FB₁ concentration reached 30 (P < 0.01) or 40 μM (P < 0.001). Further cell cycle analysis revealed that meiotic progression was disrupted, with a larger proportion of the 30 μM FB₁-treated oocytes being arrested at the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage (P < 0.01). After being treated with 30 μM FB₁ for 28 h, the percentage of oocytes with aberrant spindle assembly was observably increased (P < 0.01), and the distribution of actin filaments on the plasma membrane was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Furthermore, an observably higher rate of abnormal mitochondrial distribution (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (P < 0.05) were observed in FB₁-exposed oocytes. In addition, ROS generation in FB₁-treated oocytes was rapidly increased (P < 0.05), while the transcriptional levels of antioxidant-related genes (CAT, SOD2 and GSH-Px) were sharply decreased compared with those in the control group. Additionally, the incidence of early apoptosis in FB₁-treated oocytes was also significantly increased (P < 0.05), suggesting that FB₁ exposure induced oxidative stress and further triggered apoptosis in porcine oocytes. Thus, these results suggested that FB₁ adversely affected oocyte maturation by disturbing cell cycle progression, destroying cytoskeletal dynamics and damaging mitochondrial function, which eventually induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in porcine oocytes.

Betulinic Acid Ameliorates the T-2 Toxin-Triggered Intestinal Impairment in Mice by Inhibiting Inflammation and Mucosal Barrier Dysfunction through the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

T-2 toxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium, is widely distributed in crops and animal feed and frequently induces intestinal damage. Betulinic acid (BA), a plant-derived pentacyclic lupane-type triterpene, possesses potential immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological properties. The current study aimed to explore the protective effect and molecular mechanisms of BA on intestinal mucosal impairment provoked by acute exposure to T-2 toxin. Mice were intragastrically administered BA (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg) daily for 2 weeks and then injected intraperitoneally with T-2 toxin (4 mg/kg) once to induce an intestinal impairment. BA pretreatment inhibited the loss of antioxidant capacity in the intestine of T-2 toxin-treated mice by elevating the levels of CAT, GSH-PX and GSH and reducing the accumulation of MDA. In addition, BA pretreatment alleviated the T-2 toxin-triggered intestinal immune barrier dysregulation by increasing the SIgA level in the intestine at dosages of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, increasing IgG and IgM levels in serum at dosages of 0.5 and 1 mg/kg and restoring the intestinal C3 and C4 levels at a dosage of 1 mg/kg. BA administration at a dosage of 1 mg/kg also improved the intestinal chemical barrier by decreasing the serum level of DAO. Moreover, BA pretreatment improved the intestinal physical barrier via boosting the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin mRNAs and restoring the morphology of intestinal villi that was altered by T-2 toxin. Furthermore, treatment with 1 mg/kg BA downregulated the expression of p-NF-κB and p-IκB-α proteins in the intestine, while all doses of BA suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNAs and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine expression of IL-10 mRNA in the intestine of T-2 toxin-exposed mice. BA was proposed to exert a protective effect on intestinal mucosal disruption in T-2 toxin-stimulated mice by enhancing the intestinal antioxidant capacity, inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and repairing intestinal mucosal barrier functions, which may be associated with BA-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

T-2 and HT-2 toxins in feed and food from Southern Italy, determined by LC-MS/MS after immunoaffinity clean-up

A method to determine T-2 and HT-2 toxins, both in feed and food, is described. The method is based on sample clean-up by immunoaffinity columns, followed by triple quadrupole LC-MS/MS determination. It was in-house validated in compliance with the European Union legislation, in the concentration range 5.0-750 µg kg^-1 and accredited according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, for the scope of official control of feed and food. The method was applied to monitor the contamination levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in 105 feed samples, both raw materials and compound feed and 17 cereals and derived products for human consumption, collected in Southern Italy between 2015 and 2019. T-2 toxin was quantified in 32 feed (30.5%) and in 2 food samples (11.8%). HT-2 toxin was quantified in 65 feed (61.9%) and in 3 food (17.6%) samples.

Mycotoxins, invisible danger of feedstuff with toxic effect on animals

Mycotoxins are low-molecular weight compounds produced mainly by fungi, with Fusarium and Aspergillus origin. Secondary, metabolites, are mostly found on plants. However, the contamination of the feed and forage has been also reported. Because of their pharmacological activity, mycotoxins can be used as chemical warfare agents, drugs or growth promotants. Additionally, mycotoxins are found as one of the most dangerous genotoxic factors which cause the damage of DNA and lead to disease development. This review includes the knowledge of mycotoxins as both, an invisible danger of forage and as food additives. Special emphasis shall be given on mycotoxins with proven cancerogenic activity; including aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. Factors such as species, mechanisms/modes of action, metabolism, and defense mechanisms were taken into account. The main concern was focused on zearalenone characterization, because of its estrogenic activity, caused by structural similarity to estrogens, naturally occurring in cells. By binding to estrogenic receptors, toxins are, accumulated in organisms and long-term exposure may cause the disturbances, especially in the reproductive system. The next part of this paper contains the description of main strategies of toxins determination. Finally, in the review, several potential methods for the dioxins neutralization were discussed.

Rapid determination of fumonisin (FB1) by syringe SPE coupled with solid-phase fluorescence spectrometry

Fumonisin B₁ is the most prevalent member of a family of toxins, known as fumonisins, which occurs mainly in maize, wheat and other cereals. Due to its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic in all animal species, very strict regulations have been imposed on the levels of fumonisin B₁ in cereal and cereal-based foods worldwide. In this work, a rapid determination method of fumonisin B₁ by membrane solid phase extraction coupled with solid-phase fluorescence analysis is developed. A rhodamine based fluorescent probe was used for derivatization with fumonisin B₁. After derivatization and extraction by nylon membrane, the enriched fumonisin B₁ can be detected directly on the membrane without further elution process that is placed in a designed spectra collection device. The established method showed a linear relationship in concentration range of 0.5-5.0 μg/L, with the R² = 0.991, and a limit of detection of 0.119 μg/L. Method accuracy was further confirmed using LC-MS method by comparing the detection results of 3 corn powder samples spiked with FB₁, that demonstrated equivalent results. The results of this study indicated that the proposed method was simple, sensitive, reliable and suitable for trace fumonisins B₁ quantitation in corn-based feeds.

QTL mapping and successful introgression of the spring wheat-derived QTL Fhb1 for Fusarium head blight resistance in three European triticale populations

KEY MESSAGE

The spring wheat-derived QTL Fhb1 was successfully introgressed into triticale and resulted in significantly improved FHB resistance in the three triticale mapping populations. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major problem in cereal production particularly because of mycotoxin contaminations. Here we characterized the resistance to FHB in triticale breeding material harboring resistance factors from bread wheat. A highly FHB-resistant experimental line which derives from a triticale × wheat cross was crossed to several modern triticale cultivars. Three populations of recombinant inbred lines were generated and evaluated in field experiments for FHB resistance using spray inoculations during four seasons and were genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing and SSR markers. FHB severity was assessed in the field by visual scorings and on the harvested grain samples using digital picture analysis for quantifying the whitened kernel surface (WKS). Four QTLs with major effects on FHB resistance were identified, mapping to chromosomes 2B, 3B, 5R, and 7A. Those QTLs were detectable with both Fusarium severity traits. Measuring of WKS allows easy and fast grain symptom quantification and appears as an effective scoring tool for FHB resistance. The QTL on 3B collocated with Fhb1, and the QTL on 5R with the dwarfing gene Ddw1. This is the first report demonstrating the successful introgression of Fhb1 into triticale. It comprises a significant step forward for enhancing FHB resistance in this crop.

Effects of T-2 toxin on digestive enzyme activity, intestinal histopathology and growth in shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

T-2 toxin (T-2), a naturally occurring mycotoxin that often accumulates in aquatic animals via contaminated feed, is toxic to animals, including humans. In this study, six groups of shrimp (n = 30 shrimps/group) were given T-2 in feed at concentrations of 0–12.2 mg/kg for 20 days. T-2 accumulation, intestinal histopathology, digestive enzyme activities and subsequent effects on shrimp are reported. Compared to the control, T-2 significantly reduced weight gain, specific growth rate, and survival. The histopathology of shrimp intestine showed concentration-dependent degenerative and necrotic changes in response to dietary T-2. Progressive damage to the microstructures of shrimp intestine occurred with increasing dietary T-2 concentrations, with initial inflammation of the mucosal tissue at T-2 concentrations of 0.5 and 1.2 mg/kg, progressing to disappearance of intestinal villi and degeneration and necrosis of the submucosa at 12.2 mg/kg. Intestinal amylase and protease activities increased at low T-2 concentrations but showed significant inhibition at high concentrations; however, the opposite trend occurred for lipase activity. Collectively, these results indicate that digestive enzyme activities and mucosal structures are markedly affected by exposure to T-2, and these may have contributed to the lower survival rate of shrimp.

Influence of Two Garlic-Derived Compounds, Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTS) and Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate (PTSO), on Growth and Mycotoxin Production by Fusarium Species In Vitro and in Stored Cereals

Two garlic-derived compounds, Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTS) and Propyl Propane Thiosulfinate (PTSO), were examined for their efficacy against mycotoxigenic Fusarium species (F. graminearum, F. langsethiae, F. verticillioides). The objectives were to assess the inhibitory effect of these compounds on growth and mycotoxin production in vitro, and in situ in artificially inoculated wheat, oats and maize with one isolate of each respectively, at different water activity (a_w) conditions when stored for up to 20 days at 25 °C. In vitro, 200 ppm of either PTS or PTSO reduced fungal growth by 50-100% and mycotoxin production by >90% depending on species, mycotoxin and a_w conditions on milled wheat, oats and maize respectively. PTS was generally more effective than PTSO. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) were decreased by 50% with 80 ppm PTSO. One-hundred ppm of PTS reduced DON and ZEN production in wheat stored at 0.93 a_w for 20 days, although contamination was still above the legislative limits. Contrasting effects on T-2/HT-2 toxin contamination of oats was found depending on a_w, with PTS stimulating production under marginal conditions (0.93 a_w), but at 0.95 a_w effective control was achieved with 100 ppm. Treatment of stored maize inoculated with F. verticilliodies resulted in a stimulation of total fumonsins in most treatments. The potential use of such compounds for mycotoxin control in stored commodities is discussed.

Lack of Toxic Interaction Between Fusariotoxins in Broiler Chickens Fed throughout Their Life at the Highest Level Tolerated in the European Union

Fusarium mycotoxins (FUS) occur frequently in poultry diets, and regulatory limits are laid down in several countries. However, the limits were established for exposure to a single mycotoxin, whereas multiple contamination is more realistic, and different studies have demonstrated that it is not possible to predict interactions between mycotoxins. The purpose of this study was thus to compare the toxic effect of deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FB) and zearalenone (ZON), alone and in combination on broiler chickens, at the maximum tolerated level established by the EU for poultry feed. Experimental corn-soybean diets incorporated ground cultured toxigenic Fusarium strains. One feed was formulated for chickens 0 to 10 days old and another for chickens 11 to 35 days old. The control diets were mycotoxin free, the DON diets contained 5 mg DON/kg, the FB diet contained 20 mg FB1 + FB2/kg, and the ZON diet contained 0.5 mg ZON/kg. The DONFBZON diet contained 5, 20, and 0.5 mg/kg of DON, FB1 + FB2, and ZON, respectively. Diets were distributed ad libitum to 70 broilers (male Ross PM3) separated into five groups of 14 chickens each reared in individual cages from one to 35 days of age. On day 35, after a starvation period of 8 h, a blood sample was collected, and all the animals were killed and autopsied. No difference between groups that could be attributed to FUS was observed in performances, the relative weight of organs, biochemistry, histopathology, intestinal morphometry, variables of oxidative damage, and markers of testicle toxicity. A significant increase in sphinganine and in the sphinganine to sphingosine ratio was observed in broilers fed FB. Taken together, these results suggest that the regulatory guidelines established for single contamination of broiler chickens fed with DON, FB, and ZON can also be used in the case of multiple contamination with these toxins.

Effects of T-2 toxin on histopathology, fatty acid and water distribution of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) muscle

T-2 toxin (T-2), one of the naturally occurring mycotoxins, often accumulates in aquatic animals from contaminated feed. Shrimp (n = 30 per group) were fed with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.5, 4.5 and 13.5 mg kg^-1) of T-2 for 20 days. Changes in histopathology, fatty acid and water distribution of shrimp muscle were analyzed. Histopathology of shrimp muscle showed dose-dependent marked degenerative and necrotic changes on exposure to dietary T-2. The T-2 significantly (P < 0.05) affected the muscle fatty acid composition. ∑SFA, ∑MUFA and ∑PUFA initially decreased and then increased slowly in the high-dosed groups. C16:0, C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 were the main saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), respectively. Also, T-2 significantly affected water distribution in shrimp muscle. High doses of T-2 reduced free water content, resulting in a reduction in the water holding capacity and hence changes to the shrimp muscle quality. Collectively, these results illustrated that T-2 significantly affects the fatty acid and water distribution, and also muscle histopathology, all of which would result in a reduction in the quality and nutritional value of shrimp.

Fumonisins and their analogues in contaminated corn and its processed foods - a review

One of the food security problems faced worldwide is the occurrence of mycotoxins in grains and their foods. Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins which are prevalent in corn (Zea mays L.) and its based foods. Their intake and exposure have been epidemiologically and inconclusively associated with oesophageal cancer and neural tube defects in humans, and other harmful health effects in animals. The toxic effects of FBs can be acute or chronic and these metabolites bioaccumulate mainly in liver and kidney tissues. Among FBs, fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) is the most relevant moiety although the 'hidden' forms produced after food thermal processes are becoming relevant. Corn is the grain most susceptible to Fusarium and FBs contamination and the mould growth is affected both by abiotic and biotic factors during grain maturation and storage. Mould counts are mainly affected by the grain water activity, the environmental temperature during grain maturation and insect damage. The abiotic factors affected by climatic change patterns have increased their incidence in other regions of the world. Among FBs, the hidden forms are the most difficult to detect and quantify. Single or combined physical, chemical and biological methods are emerging to significantly reduce FBs in processed foods and therefore diminish their toxicological effects.

Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in Dairy Cattle Feeds from the Gauteng Province of South Africa: A Pilot Study Using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS

The indispensable nature of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in agricultural systems is of worldwide concern, hence the need for surveillance studies to preserve public health. Thirteen dairy farms were surveyed and 40 dairy feeds of varying nature collected and analyzed for mycotoxins. Estimated levels of aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA), citrinin (CIT), zearalenone (ZEN), α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β-zearalenol (β-ZEL), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (ADONs), HT-2 toxin (HT-2), and beauvericin (BEA) were established using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Highest frequencies (40/40) were found for AFG₂ (range: <LOQ—116.1 ppb), α-ZEL (range: 0.98–13.24 ppb), and β-ZEL (range: 0.73–4.71 ppb), followed by AFB₂ at 37/40 (range: <LOQ—23.88 ppb), BEA at 36/40 (range: <LOQ—55.99 ppb), HT-2 at 35/40 (range: <LOQ—312.95 ppb), and FB₁ at 34/40 (range: <LOQ—1389.62 ppb). Apart from samples exceeding regulatory limits for total AFs in dairy feeds due to the high amounts of AFG₂ and AFB₂, levels of other mycotoxins were regarded as safe for dairy production in South Africa. This is the first-time the natural occurrence of the cold climate HT-2 in South African feeds was documented. Persistent co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins across samples, however, may elicit synergistic and/or additive effects in hosts, hence raising concerns about their impacts and how such interactions may affect the dairy livestock sector.

Risks to human and animal health related to the presence of moniliformin in food and feed

Moniliformin (MON) is a mycotoxin with low molecular weight primarily produced by Fusarium fungi and occurring predominantly in cereal grains. Following a request of the European Commission, the CONTAM Panel assessed the risk of MON to human and animal health related to its presence in food and feed. The limited information available on toxicity and on toxicokinetics in experimental and farm animals indicated haematotoxicity and cardiotoxicity as major adverse health effects of MON. MON causes chromosome aberrations in vitro but no in vivo genotoxicity data and no carcinogenicity data were identified. Due to the limitations in the available toxicity data, human acute or chronic health‐based guidance values (HBGV) could not be established. The margin of exposure (MOE) between the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) of 6.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) for cardiotoxicity from a subacute study in rats and the acute upper bound (UB) dietary exposure estimates ranged between 4,000 and 73,000. The MOE between the lowest benchmark dose lower confidence limit (for a 5% response ‐ BMDL₀₅) of 0.20 mg MON/kg bw per day for haematological hazards from a 28‐day study in pigs and the chronic dietary human exposure estimates ranged between 370 and 5,000,000 for chronic dietary exposures. These MOEs indicate a low risk for human health but were associated with high uncertainty. The toxicity data available for poultry, pigs, and mink indicated a low or even negligible risk for these animals from exposure to MON in feed at the estimated exposure levels under current feeding practices. Assuming similar or lower sensitivity as for pigs, the CONTAM Panel considered a low or even negligible risk for the other animal species for which no toxicity data suitable for hazard characterisation were identified. Additional toxicity studies are needed and depending on their outcome, the collection of more occurrence data on MON in food and feed is recommended to enable a comprehensive human risk assessment.

Effect of T-2 toxin-injected shrimp muscle extracts on mouse macrophage cells (RAW264.7)

Following intramuscular injections of 0.1 mL, 3 mg kg^-1BW^-1(1/10 LD₅₀) T-2 toxin (T-2), the tissue concentration of T-2 in shrimp was quantitatively detected using LC-MS/MS. The biological half-time (t_1/2) of T-2 in blood was 40.47 ± 0.24 min. The highest number of intramuscular T-2 shrimp could tolerate when given at blood t_1/2 intervals was 4. The shrimps which were injected 5 T-2 died. The T-2 toxin highest accumulation was 0.471 ± 0.012 ng g^-1BW^-1. The effect of toxic shrimp muscle subjected to different processing conditions (high pressure, trifluoroacetic acid, acid and alkali digestions, artificial digestive juice [to simulate exposure to gastric and intestinal juices]) on mouse macrophage cells (RAW267.4) were evaluated by the MTT assay. The inhibition ratio of 2% muscle extract on RAW267.4 was 85.70 ± 2.63%. The immunocytotoxicity of muscle extracts to RAW264.7 was highest in muscle extracts subjected to physical and chemical digestion (high pressure > NaOH > trifluoroacetic acid > 0.02 M HCl > 0.2 M HCl > controls), and also artificial digestion (artificial intestinal juice > artificial gastric juice > N type intestinal juice > N type gastric liquid > controls). Results showed that high-pressure and artificial intestinal juice were most effective in the release of modified T-2 to free T-2 thus enhancing toxicity. These results can be interpreted as measurement of T-2 in food being of little value because of enhanced toxicity of T-2-contaminated food as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract.

Cytotoxicity of T-2 and modified T-2 toxins: induction of JAK/STAT pathway in RAW264.7 cells by hepatopancreas and muscle extracts of shrimp fed with T-2 toxin

T-2 can be biotransformed in animal tissues to modified T-2s (mT-2s). Food contaminated with T-2 and/or mT-2s is a hazard to both animals and humans, including the immune system. In this study, Litopenaeus vannamei were fed T-2 orally for 20 d, and hepatopancreas and muscle extracts, T-2, and T-2-glucuronide (T-2-GluA) were added to RAW264.7 in vitro and their effects on the JAK/STAT pathway were examined. STAT2 mRNA gene expression induced by hepatopancreas and muscle extracts was markedly higher compared with that of T-2 or T-2-GluA group. SCOSs, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA gene expressions induced by hepatopancreas extract were greater than those induced by muscle extract. Muscle extract significantly activated STAT3 phosphorylation but inhibited STAT1 phosphorylation. Activation of the JAK/STAT pathway by hepatopancreas mT-2s was significantly higher than that by muscle extracts. Muscle and hepatopancreas extracts and T-2 also significantly induced IL-6 mRNA gene expression. With reference to phosphorylation levels, significant activation of JAK1 and STAT2 occurred with T-2 and JAK3 by muscle extract, JAK2 by hepatopancreas extract and STAT1 by T-2-GluA. This study showed that both T-2 and mT-2s are cytotoxic but the activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in RAW264.7 cells by T-2 was greater than that by mT-2s in hepatopancreas and muscle extracts from T-2-fed Litopenaeus vannamei.

Towards the development of innovative multi-mycotoxin reference materials as promising metrological tool for emerging and regulated mycotoxin analyses

The interest in LC-MS/MS multi-mycotoxin methods unveiled an urgent need for multi-mycotoxin reference material. A multi-fusariotoxin, including deoxynivalenol (DON); zearalenone (ZEN); T-2 toxin (T-2); HT-2 toxin (HT-2); enniatin A, A1, B, and B1 (ENNs); and beauvericin (BEA), contaminated wheat flour was obtained by inoculation Fusarium spp. strains. The candidate material has successfully passed the homogeneity test and submitted to an international interlaboratory study achieved by 19 laboratories from 11 countries using their routine analytical method. The dispersion of the results for ZEN and BEA did not allow the derivation of reliable consensus values, while the assignment was only possible for DON, HT-2, T-2, and ENN A. No link was found between the methods used by the participants and the results. Significant changes in dry matter contents (≥±1.4 % of the initial dry matter) and significant changes in ergosterol contents (≥±10 %) did not occur. Using the mycotoxin contents in wheat flour stored at -80 °C as reference values, statistically significant decreases were observed only for T-2 contents at +24 °C, in contrast to the storage at -20 and +4 °C. For the other involved toxins, the candidate material was found to be stable at -20, +4, or +24 °C. Based on the T-2 decreases, a shelf life of 6 years was derived from isochronous study when the material is kept at -20 °C. At room temperature (e.g., +24 °C) or higher, this time validity drastically decreases down to 6 months. The development of this metrological tool is an important step towards food and feed quality control using multi-mycotoxin analyses. In vivo animal experiments using multi-mycotoxin-contaminated feeds dealing with the carryover or mitigation could further benefit from the methodology of this work.

Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals harvested from Hungarian fields

The Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and T-2 frequently contaminate grain crops in Middle and Eastern Europe. In this survey, 116 cereal samples (maize, wheat, barley and oat) were examined for DON, ZEN and T-2 mycotoxins. Samples were collected from different areas in two Hungarian regions (North and South Transdanubia). The method of analysis was indirect competitive ELISA. Maize was the most contaminated grain regarding DON (86%), ZEN (41%) and T-2 (55%) toxins. The average results of the deoxynivalenol and zearalenone tests of maize proved to be significantly higher than those of barley or oat. DON was the most represented Fusarium mycotoxin followed by T-2 and ZEN. The examination of these mycotoxins would be necessary at a larger scale as to re-evaluate permissible levels, so increase of the monitoring programme would be advisable for the future.

Natural incidence of zearalenone in Croatian pig feed, urine and meat in 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of zearalenone (ZEN) in different feed materials and feedstuffs for pigs, as well as in pig urine and pig meat following contaminated feed consumption. In total, 253 feed material and feedstuff samples were collected from Croatian pig farms. The results revealed the presence of ZEN in significant concentrations, the maximal being found in maize (5522 µg/kg), wheat (3366 µg/kg) and pig fattening feed (1949 µg/kg). In farms in which high feed contamination and pig hyperestrogenism were observed, samples of pig urine (n=30) and meat (n=30) were retrieved as well. The mean ZEN concentrations in pig urine and pig meat were 206±20.6 µg/L and 0.62±0.14 µg/kg, respectively. Despite high contamination of feedstuffs responsible for farmed pigs' intoxication, ZEN levels determined in pig meat were shown to be of little significance for human safety.

Zearalenone and its metabolites in urine and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Tunisia

Zearalenone (ZON) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species. The exposure risk to humans and animals is the consumption of contaminated food and animal feeds. It has been reported that ZON and some of its metabolites promote the development of hormone-dependent tumors. The aim of this case-control study was to estimate exposure to ZON and its five metabolites (α-zearalenol [α-ZOL], β-zearalenol [β-ZOL], α-zearalanol [zeranol, α-ZAL], β-zearalanol [teranol, β-ZAL] and zearalanone [ZAN]) by measuring urinary concentrations of these compounds, and to evaluate the risk of breast cancer related to this exposure. Chemical analyses were carried out by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). Statistical analyses were performed in order to determine the association between exposure to these compounds and the development of breast cancer. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression to estimate the magnitude of the associations. The obtained results (adjusted OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.10-2.77) suggest a potential role of α-ZAL in the risk of developing breast cancer.

Production of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol in the presence of different disinfectants

The aim of the work was to examine the effect of different disinfectants on production trichothecenes (especially of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol). Lipophilicity, chemical structure, the presence of bioactive groups and functional groups in their structure modifies biological activity and toxic potency of trichothecenes. For this reason, limits have been established designating maximum levels of mycotoxins in cereals while maintaining proper growing practices. Appropriate nutritive media were prepared with different concentration of tested disinfectants (Desanal A  plus, ProCura spray and Guaa-Pool) and were inoculated using  Fusarium strains. The density of  Fusarium was 105 spores per mililitre. Nutrient media was cultivated at 15 °C and 25 °C for seven days. The strains of Fusarium graminearum CCM F-683 and Fusarium species (isolated from barley) produced quantities of deoxynivalenol. Fusarium poae CCM F-584 and Fusarium species (isolated from malthouse air) produced quantities of T-2 toxin. Desanal A plus prevented Fusarium growth and production of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol at the concentration 10%. It is an alkaline disinfectant on the basis of active chlorine and the surfactant that contains ˂5% of NaClO. ProCura spray at the concentration 0.6% proved to be very effective. This disinfectant contains 35% of propan-1-ol and 25% of propan-2-ol.  Guaa-Pool at the concentration 0.004% proved to be very effective. It is a polymeric disinfectant with anion surface-acting agent and it contains ˂0.9% of polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride and ˂0.2% of alkyl (C12-C16) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. Lower contentration of  disinfectants that  not prevented growth of Fusarium caused higher production  of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol. The contents of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using commercially produced kits (Agra Quant® Deoxynivalenol Test kit and Agra Quant® T-2 toxin Test kit). The experiment showed that the variability in the production of T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol depended on the Fusarium strain used, concentration of disinfectants and temperature of cultivation.

Occurrence and stability of masked fumonisins in corn silage samples

Corn plants contaminated with Fusarium verticilloides were harvested at two dates and ensiled in laboratory silos. The stability of Fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1, FB2) was studied and the effects of inoculant use (Lactobacillus buchneri) and of the ensiling time were assessed. The occurrence of masked fumonisins was also investigated. After the extraction of the free forms (FB1, FB2), the residue was subjected to an alkaline hydrolysis resulting in the release of derivates subsequently detected by LC-HESI-MS/MS. The ensiling time has shown to be a significant factor for the evolution of free FB1 and FB2 at the 2nd harvest date. Moreover, the use of inoculant had a significant effect on the stability of hidden and total FB1 at the two harvest dates. Samples previously ensiled and exposed to aerobic conditions for 7days have shown higher fumonisin levels than those not exposed to air. Our results showed that 65% and 39% of the total FB1 and FB2 contents in silage were due to hidden fumonisins.

Aptamer-based microcantilever array biosensor for detection of fumonisin B-1

An aptamer-based microcantilever array sensor was developed for the detection of FB1 with a LOD of 33 ng mL⁻¹.

Validation of a UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of zearalenone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol and zearalanone in human urine

Humans can be exposed to mycotoxins through the diet. Evaluation of exposure levels to mycotoxins can be performed by direct determination in urine. The present work proposes a sensitive ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of zearalenone (ZON) and its five metabolites (α-zearalenol [α-ZOL], β-zearalenol [β-ZOL], α-zearalanol [zeranol, α-ZAL], β-zearalanol [teranol, β-ZAL] and zearalanone [ZAN]) in human urine samples. The method involves the enzymatic hydrolysis of the samples, extraction of the analytes using liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with ethyl acetate/formic acid (99:1 v/v) and a cleanup step using hexane, prior to their quantification by UHPLC-MS/MS, using an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface in the negative mode. Zearalenone-d6 (ZON-d6) was used as surrogate. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.03 to 0.3ngmL(-1) and from 0.1 to 1.0ngmL(-1), respectively. The method was validated using matrix-matched calibration and a spike recovery assay. Recovery rates for spiked samples ranged from 96% to 104%, with relative standard deviations lower than 8.5%. This method was satisfactorily applied to 42 urine samples from Tunisian women for the determination of zearalenone and its five metabolites.

Fusarial toxins: secondary metabolites of Fusarium fungi

Exposure to mycotoxins occurs worldwide, even though there are geographic and climatic differences in the amounts produced and occurrence of these substances.Mycotoxins are secondary chemical metabolites of different fungi. They are natural contaminants of cereals, so their presence is often inevitable. Among many genera that produce mycotoxins, Fusarium fungi are the most widespread in cereal-growing areas of the planet. Fusarium fungi produce a diversity of mycotoxin types, whose distributions are also diverse. What is produced and where it is produced is influenced primarily by environmental conditions, and crop production and storage methods. The amount of toxin produced depends on physical (viz., moisture, relative humidity, temperature, and mechanical damage), chemical (viz., carbon dioxide,oxygen, composition of substrate, insecticides and fungicides), and biological factors (viz., plant variety, stress, insects, spore load, etc.). Moisture and temperature have a major influence on mold growth rate and mycotoxin production.Among the most toxic and prevalent fusaria) toxins are the following: zearalenone,fumonisins, moniliformin and trichothecenes (T-2/HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol,diacetoxyscirpenol, nivalenol). Zearalenone (ZEA; ZON, F-2 toxin) isaphy to estrogenic compound, primarily a field contaminant, which exhibits estrogenic activity and has been implicated in numerous mycotoxicoses of farm animals,especially pigs. Recently, evidence suggests that ZEA has potential to stimulate the growth of human breast cancer cells. Fumonisins are also cancer-promoting metabolites,of which Fumonisin 8 I (FBI) is the most important. Moniliformin (MON) isalso highly toxic to both animals and humans. Trichothecenes are classified as gastrointestinal toxins, dermatotoxins, immunotoxins, hematotoxins, and gene toxins.T-2 and HT-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS, anguidine) are the most toxic mycotoxins among the trichothecene group. Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) and nivalenol although less toxic are important because they frequently occur at levels high enough to cause adverse effects.The presence of mycotoxins in the animal diet can produce significant production losses. Any considerable presence of mycotoxins, in major dietary components,confirms the need to adopt a continuous prevention and control program. Such programs are usually based on several common approaches to minimize mycotoxin contamination in the food chain. Major strategies include preventing fungal growth and therefore mycotoxin formation, reducing or eliminating mycotoxins from contaminated feedstuffs, or diverting contaminated products to low risk uses. Because of the complexity of their chemical structures, mycotoxins also present a major analytical challenge. They are also found in a vast array of feed matrices. Analysis is essential for determining the extent of mycotoxin contamination, for risk analysis, confirming the diagnosis of a mycotoxicosis and for monitoring mycotoxin mitigation strategies.For the future, adequately controlling the mycotoxin problem in the livestock economy will depend on implementing appropriate agricultural management policies,as well as augmenting production and storage systems and analysis methods.Only such policies offer the opportunity to bring solid and long-lasting economical results to the livestock industry that is afflicted with the mycotoxin problem.

Using commercial immunoassay kits for mycotoxins: ‘joys and sorrows’?

Rapid test methods are widely used for measuring mycotoxins in a variety of matrices. This review presents an overview of the current commercially available immunoassay rapid test formats. Enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), lateral flow tests, flow through immunoassay, fluorescent polarisation immunoassay, and immunoaffinity columns coupled with fluorometric assay are common formats in the current market. The two existing evaluation programs for commercial testing kits by United State Department of Agricultural Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (USDA-GIPSA) and AOAC Research Institute are introduced. The strengths and weaknesses of these test kits are discussed with regard to the application scope, variance, specificity and cross reactivity, accuracy and precision, and measurement range. Generally speaking, the current commercially available testing kits meet research and industrial needs as ‘fit-for-purpose’. Furthermore, quality assurance concerns and future perspectives are elaborated for broader application of commercial test kits in research, industry and regulatory applications. It is expected that new commercial kits based on advanced technologies such as electrochemical affinity biosensors, molecularly imprinted polymers, surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, aptamer-based biosensors and dynamic light scattering might be available to users in the future. Meanwhile, harmonisation of testing kit evaluation, incorporation of more quality assurance into the testing kit utilisation scheme, and a larger variety of kits available at lower cost will expand the usage of testing kits for food safety testing worldwide.

Incidence and levels of deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone contaminants in animal feeds used in Korea in 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and levels of deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins B₁ and B₂ (FBs), and zearalenone (ZEN) contaminants in animal feeds used in Korea in 2012. Contamination with DON was observed in 91.33% and 53.33% in compound feeds and feed ingredients, respectively. Among compound feeds, poultry layer feed (laying) exhibited the highest contaminant level of 1.492 mg/kg. FBs contaminants were present in compound feeds and feed ingredients at 93.33% and 83.33%, respectively. Most poultry broiler (early) feeds were highly contaminated with FBs, and one of these feeds detected the level as 12.823 mg/kg as the highest level. The levels of ZEN in compound feeds and feed ingredients were 71.33% and 47%, respectively. Ninety-eight percent of compound feeds for cattle were contaminated with ZEN, and the highest contamination level of 0.405 mg/kg was observed in cattle fatting feeds.