Risk analysis of main mycotoxins occurring in food for children: An overview

Infant exposure to ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol from the consumption of milk formula and baby cereal in Chile

Ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are mycotoxins whose exposure is associated with various adverse health effects, including cancer and renal disorders, estrogenic effects, and immunosuppressive and gastrointestinal disorders, respectively. Infants (<2 years) are the most vulnerable group to mycotoxins, representing a unique combination of restricted food consumption types, low body weight, lower ability to eliminate toxins, and more future years to accumulate toxins. This study aimed to estimate the infant́s exposure to OTA, DON, and ZEN due to the consumption of milk formula and baby cereals in Chile. Milk formula samples (n = 41) and baby cereals (n = 30) were collected and analyzed using commercial ELISA kits for OTA, DON, and ZEA determination. Exposure was assessed by the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) approach (mean and worst-case scenario, WCS) with the levels found in a modified Lower Bound (mLB) and Upper Bound (UB); ideal consumption (<6m, 7-12 m, and 13-24 m); adjusted by the weight of each group. The risk was estimated by comparing the EDI with a reference tolerable daily intake or by the margin of exposure (MOE) in the case of OTA. DON and OTA occurrence in infant formula were 34 % and 41 %, respectively. The co-occurrence between these mycotoxins was 22 %. Mycotoxin contents were below LOQ values except for OTA determined in one sample (0.29 ng/ml). No milk formulae were contaminated with ZEN. In the case of baby cereals, the occurrences were 17 % for OTA, 30 % for DON, and 7 % for ZEN, all below LOQ. Co-occurrence was seen in two samples between ZEN and OTA. According to exposure calculations, the MOE for OTA was less than 10,000 in all models for milk formula between 0 to 12 months of age and in the UB and WCS for cereal consumption. Health concerns were observed for DON in the WCS and UB for milk consumption in all ages and only in the UB WCS for cereal consumption. Considering the high consumption of milk formula in these age groups, regulation of OTA and other co-occurring mycotoxins in infant milk and food is strongly suggested.

In Vitro Digestion and Intestinal Absorption of Mycotoxins Due to Exposure from Breakfast Cereals: Implications for Children's Health

Breakfast cereals play a crucial role in children's diets, providing essential nutrients that are vital for their growth and development. Children are known to be more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of food contaminants, with mycotoxins being a common concern in cereals. This study specifically investigated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), enniatin B (ENNB), and sterigmatocystin (STG), three well-characterized mycotoxins found in cereals. The research aimed to address existing knowledge gaps by comprehensively evaluating the bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of these three mycotoxins, both individually and in combination, when consumed with breakfast cereals and milk. The in vitro gastrointestinal method revealed patterns in the bioaccessibility of AFB1, ENNB, and STG. Overall, bioaccessibility increased as the food progressed from the stomach to the intestinal compartment, with the exception of ENNB, whose behavior differed depending on the type of milk. The ranking of overall bioaccessibility in different matrices was as follows: digested cereal > cereal with semi-skimmed milk > cereal with lactose-free milk > cereal with soy beverage. Bioaccessibility percentages varied considerably, ranging from 3.1% to 86.2% for AFB1, 1.5% to 59.3% for STG, and 0.6% to 98.2% for ENNB. Overall, the inclusion of milk in the ingested mixture had a greater impact on bioaccessibility compared to consuming the mycotoxins as a single compound or in combination. During intestinal transport, ENNB and STG exhibited the highest absorption rates when ingested together. This study highlights the importance of investigating the combined ingestion and transport of these mycotoxins to comprehensively assess their absorption and potential toxicity in humans, considering their frequent co-occurrence and the possibility of simultaneous exposure.

Evaluation of Aflatoxins Occurrence and Exposure in Cereal-Based Baby Foods: An Update Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The first stages of human life, which include the fetal period, infancy, and early childhood, are the most critical for human growth and development. This is the most vulnerable phase to health challenges due to the immature immune system and rapid development. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol are secondary metabolites secreted by various fungal species, primarily Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Aflatoxins are one of the major mycotoxins produced in cereals and cereal-based foods by several species of Aspergillus, mainly Aspergillus flavus. In this context, this review provides a brief overview of the occurrence, exposure, legal regulations, and health effects of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1) in cereal-based baby foods and breast milk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Human aflatoxin exposure in utero and through breast milk, infant formulas, cereals, and cereal-based foods has been linked to various health consequences, including adverse birth outcomes, impaired growth and development, immune system suppression, and hepatic dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that especially infants and children are more susceptible to aflatoxins due to their lower body weight, lowered capacity to detoxify harmful substances, more restrictive diet, immature metabolism and elimination, and faster rates of growth and development. It is essential for both food safety and infant and child health that aflatoxins in cereal and cereal-based products are precisely detected, detoxified, and managed.

An Aptamer-Based Lateral Flow Biosensor for Low-Cost, Rapid and Instrument-Free Detection of Ochratoxin A in Food Samples

In this work, a simple and cost-efficient aptasensor strip is developed for the rapid detection of OTA in food samples. The biosensor is based on the lateral flow assay concept using an OTA-specific aptamer for biorecognition of the target analyte. The strip consists of a sample pad, a conjugate pad, a nitrocellulose membrane (NC) and an absorbent pad. The conjugate pad is loaded with the OTA-specific aptamer conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The test line of the NC membrane is loaded with a specific OTA-aptamer probe and the control line is loaded with a control probe. The assay is based on a competitive format, where the OTA present in the sample combines with the OTA aptamer-AuNP conjugate and prevents the interaction between the specific probe immobilized on the test line and the OTA aptamer-AuNP conjugates; therefore, the color intensity of the test line decreases as the concentration of OTA in the sample increases. Qualitative detection of OTA is performed visually, while quantification is performed by reflectance colorimetry using a commercial scanner and image analysis. All the parameters of the assay are investigated in detail and the analytical features are established. The visual limit of detection (LOD) of the strip is 0.05 ng mL-1, while the LOD for semi-quantitative detection using reflectance colorimetry is 0.02 ng mL-1. The lateral flow strip aptasensor is applied to the detection of OTA in wine, beer, apple juice and milk samples with recoveries in the range from 91 to 114%. The assay exhibits a satisfactory selectivity for OTA with respect to other mycotoxins and lasts 20 min. Therefore, the lateral flow strip aptasensor could be useful for the rapid, low-cost and fit-for-purpose on-site detection of OTA in food samples.

Quantitative determination of four mycotoxins in cereal by fluorescent microsphere based immunochromatographic assay

BACKGROUND

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, which have serious effects on humans and animals. In this study, we selected the monodispersed polystyrene fluorescent microspheres with good luminescence performance and strong stability as markers to conjugate with four mycotoxins antibodies for preparing fluorescent probes. We have developed a fluorescent microsphere based immunochromatographic assay (FMICA) to detect sensitively and quickly zearalenone (ZEN), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁ ), fumonisin B₁ (FB₁ ), and ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereal.

RESULTS

Under optimal experimental conditions, the procedure of this method can be completed within 10 min. The limit of detection (LOD) of FMICA for ZEN, AFB₁ , FB₁ , and OTA is 0.072, 0.093, 0.32, and 0.19 μg L^-1 , respectively. And FMICA has good specificity and no cross-reactivity with other mycotoxins. Four mycotoxins in naturally contaminated cereal samples (corn, rice, and oat) are detected by this method, and the results are highly consistent with that of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

CONCLUSION

The developed FMICA has good accuracy, high sensitivity, simplicity, convenience, rapidity, and low cost, and it could be employed for sensitive and quantitative detecting of mycotoxins in cereal on-site. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated Metabolomics and Lipidomics Analysis Reveals Lipid Metabolic Disorder in NCM460 Cells Caused by Aflatoxin B1 and Aflatoxin M1 Alone and in Combination

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are universally found as environmental pollutants. AFB1 and AFM1 are group 1 human carcinogens. Previous sufficient toxicological data show that they pose a health risk. The intestine is vital for resistance to foreign pollutants. The enterotoxic mechanisms of AFB1 and AFM1 have not been clarified at the metabolism levels. In the present study, cytotoxicity evaluations of AFB1 and AFM1 were conducted in NCM 460 cells by obtaining their half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). The toxic effects of 2.5 μM AFB1 and AFM1 were determined by comprehensive metabolomics and lipidomics analyses on NCM460 cells. A combination of AFB1 and AFM1 induced more extensive metabolic disturbances in NCM460 cells than either aflatoxin alone. AFB1 exerted a greater effect in the combination group. Metabolomics pathway analysis showed that glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and propanoate metabolism were dominant pathways that were interfered with by AFB1, AFM1, and AFB1+AFM1. Those results suggest that attention should be paid to lipid metabolism after AFB1 and AFM1 exposure. Further, lipidomics was used to explore the fluctuation of AFB1 and AFM1 in lipid metabolism. The 34 specific lipids that were differentially induced by AFB1 were mainly attributed to 14 species, of which cardiolipin (CL) and triacylglycerol (TAG) accounted for 41%. AFM1 mainly affected CL and phosphatidylglycerol, approximately 70% based on 11 specific lipids, while 30 specific lipids were found in AFB1+AFM1, mainly reflected in TAG up to 77%. This research found for the first time that the lipid metabolism disorder caused by AFB1 and AFM1 was one of the main causes contributing to enterotoxicity, which could provide new insights into the toxic mechanisms of AFB1 and AFM1 in animals and humans.

Maternal dietary exposure to mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 promotes intestinal immune alterations and microbiota modifications increasing infection susceptibility in mouse offspring

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi occurring in food that are toxic to animals and humans. Early-life mycotoxins exposure has been linked to diverse pathologies. However, how maternal exposure to mycotoxins impacts on the intestinal barrier function of progeny has not been explored. Here, exposure of pregnant and lactating C57Bl/6J female mice to aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁; 400 μg/kg body weight/day; 3 times a week) in gelatine pellets, from embryonic day (E)11.5 until weaning (postnatal day 21), led to gut immunological changes in progeny. The results showed an overall increase of lymphocyte number in intestine, a reduction of expression of epithelial genes related to microbial defence, as well as a decrease in cytokine production by intestinal type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2). While susceptibility to chemically induced colitis was not worsened, immune alterations were associated with changes in gut microbiota and with a higher vulnerability to infection by the protozoan Eimeria vermiformis at early-life. Together these results show that maternal dietary exposure to AFB₁ can dampen intestinal barrier homeostasis in offspring decreasing their capability to tackle intestinal pathogens. These data provide insights to understand AFB₁ potential harmfulness in early-life health in the context of intestinal infections.

Protective Effect of alpha-Tocopherol against Ochratoxin A in Kidney Cell Line HK-2

Food safety is a top priority for the protection of infants and young children. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an emerging concern due to its high toxicity and occurrence in a wide range of agricultural crops and their derived food products including those foods and snacks destined for infants and young children. OTA is considered as a possible human carcinogen and its main target organ is the kidney. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of α-tocopherol against oxidative stress induced by OTA using human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2). OTA showed dose-dependent increase in cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 161 nM, p<0.05) at 48 h, while treatment up to 2 mM α-tocopherol did not change cell viability. Levels of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) were decreased with α-tocopherol treatment, although the ratio of the oxidative form (GSSG) to GSH remained the same. Among several genes associated with oxidative stress, expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSR), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were significantly up-regulated by OTA treatment. CAT and GSR showed decreased expression at 0.5 - 2 mM α-tocopherol and OTA at IC₅₀ value, KIM-1 was decreased at 0.5 mM α-tocopherol and OTA at IC₅₀ value, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was decreased at 0.5 - 1 mM α-tocopherol and OTA at IC₅₀ value. In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were increased significantly by OTA while significantly decreased by α-tocopherol. The results show that α-tocopherol may alleviate potential OTA-induced renal damage and oxidative stress through reducing cytotoxicity and enhancing the antioxidant defense systems.

The Mycotoxin Patulin Inhibits the Mitochondrial Carnitine/Acylcarnitine Carrier (SLC25A20) by Interaction with Cys136 Implications for Human Health

The effect of mycotoxin patulin (4-hydroxy-4H-furo [3,2c] pyran-2 [6H] -one) on the mitochondrial carnitine/acylcarnitine carrier (CAC, SLC25A20) was investigated. Transport function was measured as [³H]-carnitine_ex/carnitine_in antiport in proteoliposomes reconstituted with the native protein extracted from rat liver mitochondria or with the recombinant CAC over-expressed in E. coli. Patulin (PAT) inhibited both the mitochondrial native and recombinant transporters. The inhibition was not reversed by physiological and sulfhydryl-reducing reagents, such as glutathione (GSH) or dithioerythritol (DTE). The IC₅₀ derived from the dose-response analysis indicated that PAT inhibition was in the range of 50 µM both on the native and on rat and human recombinant protein. The kinetics process revealed a competitive type of inhibition. A substrate protection experiment confirmed that the interaction of PAT with the protein occurred within a protein region, including the substrate-binding area. The mechanism of inhibition was identified using the site-directed mutagenesis of CAC. No inhibition was observed on Cys mutants in which only the C136 residue was mutated. Mass spectrometry studies and in silico molecular modeling analysis corroborated the outcomes derived from the biochemical assays.

A prospective study of total urinary deoxynivalenol in adolescents in Shanghai, China

There is growing interest in deoxynivalenol (DON) exposure during puberty because experimental evidence shows that DON-exposed to adolescents are more sensitive to DON and have limited detoxification ability. Nevertheless, there have been few surveys of DON exposure for adolescents in China. Furthermore, little is known about the effects of collection times on risk exposure. In the study, we estimated the risk of DON exposure for adolescents in Shanghai and explore the effects of collection time, areas, sex and BMI on intake estimates. A total of 315 adolescents aged 14-16 years, including 161 boys and 154 girls, were recruited. Urine samples were collected for three consecutive days and digested with β-glucuronidase and then purified using a DON-immunoaffinity column (IAC). Total deoxynivalenol levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in combination with a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA). DON was detected in 945 morning urine samples taken from 315 individuals for three consecutive days. The mean estimated dietary intake of DON did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of l μg/kg·bw/day, showing that exposure of adolescents in Shanghai is not of concern. However, 10-20% of probable daily intake (PDI) values exceed the TDI, indicating potential adverse effects. In addition, the DON concentration at the population level did not differ for urine samples collected at different times except for those of overweight adolescents. Therefore, assessment of exposure to DON by monitoring the morning urine of a healthy adolescent, except for overweight people, provides an appropriate estimate of exposure and related risk at the population level, but intake estimates for individuals are uncertain; these could be used to assess exposure of adolescents to DON rapidly and effectively for epidemiological investigations.

Underreported Human Exposure to Mycotoxins: The Case of South Africa

South Africa (SA) is a leading exporter of maize in Africa. The commercial maize farming sector contributes to about 85% of the overall maize produced. More than 33% of South Africa’s population live in rural settlements, and their livelihoods depend entirely on subsistence farming. The subsistence farming system promotes fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This review aims to investigate the exposure levels of the rural population of South Africa to dietary mycotoxins contrary to several reports issued concerning the safety of South African maize. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar. Maize is a staple food in South Africa and consumption rates in rural and urban communities are different, for instance, intake may be 1–2 kg/person/day and 400 g/person/day, respectively. Commercial and subsistence maize farming techniques are different. There exist differences influencing the composition of mycotoxins in food commodities from both sectors. Depending on the levels of contamination, dietary exposure of South Africans to mycotoxins is evident in the high levels of fumonisins (FBs) that have been detected in SA home-grown maize. Other potential sources of exposure to mycotoxins, such as carryover effects from animal products and processed foods, were reviewed. The combined effects between FBs and aflatoxins (AFs) have been reported in humans/animals and should not be ignored, as sporadic breakouts of aflatoxicosis have been reported in South Africa. These reports are not a true representation of the entire country as reports from the subsistence-farming rural communities show high incidence of maize contaminated with both AFs and FBs. While commercial farmers and exporters have all the resources needed to perform laboratory analyses of maize products, the greater challenge in combatting mycotoxin exposure is encountered in rural communities with predominantly subsistence farming systems, where conventional food surveillance is lacking.

Mycotoxins of Concern in Children and Infant Cereal Food at European Level: Incidence and Bioaccessibility

Cereals are of utmost importance for the nutrition of infants and children, as they provide important nutrients for their growth and development and, in addition, they are easily digestible, being the best choice for the transition from breast milk/infant formula to solid foods. It is well known that children are more susceptible than adults to toxic food contaminants, such as mycotoxins, common contaminants in cereals. Many mycotoxins are already regulated and controlled according to strict quality control standards in Europe and around the world. There are, however, some mycotoxins about which the level of knowledge is lower: the so-called emerging mycotoxins, which are not yet regulated. The current review summarizes the recent information (since 2014) published in the scientific literature on the amounts of mycotoxins in infants’ and children’s cereal-based food in Europe, as well as their behaviour during digestion (bioaccessibility). Additionally, analytical methods used for mycotoxin determination and in vitro methods used to evaluate bioaccessibility are also reported. Some studies demonstrated the co-occurrence of regulated and emerging mycotoxins in cereal products used in children’s food, which highlights the need to adopt guidelines on the simultaneous presence of more than one mycotoxin. Although very little research has been done on the bioaccessibility of mycotoxins in these food products, very interesting results correlating the fiber and lipid contents of such products with a higher or lower bioaccessibility of mycotoxins were reported. LC-MS/MS is the method of choice for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins due to its high sensibility and accuracy. In vitro static digestion models are the preferred ones for bioaccessibility evaluation due to their simplicity and accuracy.

Mycotoxin Exposure in Children through Breakfast Cereal Consumption in Chile

Mycotoxins are unavoidable contaminants produced by fungi in food, especially grains. This study aimed to measure the occurrence and levels of total aflatoxins (AFs); ochratoxin A (OTA); zearalenone (ZEN); fumonisins B1, B2, and B3 (FUM); deoxynivalenol (DON); and T-2/HT-2 toxins in the four most commonly consumed breakfast cereals in Chile and to assess mycotoxin exposure and risk in children aged 2 to 13 years due to cereal consumption. In this study, a total of 110 batches with three subsamples of the four brands were sampled in supermarkets from November 2019 to June 2021. Samples were analyzed by Veratox® ELISA (Neogen). Exposure was assessed by estimated daily intake (EDI) considering the levels found in a modified lower bound (mLB) and upper bound (UB). Risk was estimated by margin of exposure (MOE) in the case of OTA and AFs and hazard quotient (HQ) for the rest of the mycotoxins. No T2/HT2 toxins were detected. Few samples had quantifiable levels of ZEN, FUM, and DON except for brand 1, with a mean (standard deviation, SD) of 54 (20), 1552 (351), and 706 (218) ng/g, respectively. In addition, three FUM samples and one DON sample had values over the Chilean regulation. Brands 2, 3, and 4 had quantifiable levels of AFs, with mean (SD) values of 1.3 (0.1), 2.1 (0.6), and 1.9 (0.4) ng/g, respectively. Brand 3 had quantifiable levels of OTA, with a mean (SD) of 2.3 (0.4) ng/g. Estimated exposure indicated a risk of AFs in all scenarios, and of FUM for brand 1 consumption, OTA and DON for brand 3 consumption, and OTA for brand 4 consumption in the mLB worst-case scenario. In general, mycotoxin levels were below the Chilean regulatory limits, but most of them were above the EU regulation for processed cereal-based food in young children. Because the risk was higher in the 2- to 5-year-old children, we recommend special regulations for this group in Chile.

Two Faces of Fermented Foods-The Benefits and Threats of Its Consumption

In underdeveloped and developing countries, due to poverty, fermentation is one of the most widely used preservation methods. It not only allows extending the shelf life of food, but also brings other benefits, including inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, improving the organoleptic properties and product digestibility, and can be a valuable source of functional microorganisms. Today, there is a great interest in functional strains, which, in addition to typical probiotic strains, can participate in the treatment of numerous diseases, disorders of the digestive system, but also mental diseases, or stimulate our immune system. Hence, fermented foods and beverages are not only a part of the traditional diet, e.g., in Africa but also play a role in the nutrition of people around the world. The fermentation process for some products occurs spontaneously, without the use of well-defined starter cultures, under poorly controlled or uncontrolled conditions. Therefore, while this affordable technology has many advantages, it can also pose a potential health risk. The use of poor-quality ingredients, inadequate hygiene conditions in the manufacturing processes, the lack of standards for safety and hygiene controls lead to the failure food safety systems implementation, especially in low- and middle-income countries or for small-scale products (at household level, in villages and scale cottage industries). This can result in the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins in the food contributing to cases of illness or even outbreaks. Also, improper processing and storage, as by well as the conditions of sale affect the food safety. Foodborne diseases through the consumption of traditional fermented foods are not reported frequently, but this may be related, among other things, to a low percentage of people entering healthcare care or weaknesses in foodborne disease surveillance systems. In many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia, pathogens such as enterotoxigenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus have been detected in fermented foods. Therefore, this review, in addition to the positive aspects, presents the potential risk associated with the consumption of this type of products.

Mycotoxins Exposure in Cabinda, Angola—A Pilot Biomonitoring Survey of Breastmilk

Breast milk is considered the ideal form of nutrition for newborns and infants. However, it can carry over contaminants, namely mycotoxins, with biological effects to which this population is particularly vulnerable. Human biomonitoring and surveillance programs are particularly scarce in low-income countries, where food security is a more urgent priority in comparison with food safety. This pilot survey aims to assess exposure of breastfed infants to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA) in Angola, and to evaluate the main socio-demographical and food consumption determinants of lactating mothers. All 37 breast milk samples analyzed are found to be contaminated with ZEN and OTA, although none are found contaminated with AFM1. Contamination levels are lower than previously reported for ZEN but higher in the case of OTA. A significant association between ZEN levels in breast milk and the consumption of cookies by the lactating mothers is found. As for OTA, higher levels are observed in the milk from mothers with younger infants, for which high estimated daily intake (EDI) is determined. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first survey of the occurrence of mycotoxins in breast milk in Angola, so further human biomonitoring works should follow, given that mycotoxins are a global health issue that directly impact the health of populations.

Ex Vivo and In Vitro Studies Revealed Underlying Mechanisms of Immature Intestinal Inflammatory Responses Caused by Aflatoxin M1 Together with Ochratoxin A

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), which are occasionally detected in milk and commercial baby foods, could easily enter and reach the gastrointestinal tract, posing impairment to the first line of defense and causing dysfunction of the tissue. The objective of this study was to investigate the immunostimulatory roles of individual and combined AFM1 and OTA on the immature intestine. Thus, we used ELISA assays to evaluate the generation of cytokines from ex vivo CD-1 fetal mouse jejunum induced by AFM1 and OTA and explored the related regulatory pathways and pivot genes using RNA-seq analysis. It was found that OTA exhibited much stronger ability in stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 from jejunum tissues than AFM1 (OTA of 4 μM versus AFM1 of 50 μM), whereas the combination of the two toxins seemed to exert antagonistic actions. In addition, transcriptomics also showed that most gene members in the enriched pathway ‘cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction’ were more highly expressed in OTA than the AFM1 group. By means of PPI network analysis, NFKB1 and RelB were regarded as hub genes in response to OTA but not AFM1. In the human FHs 74 Int cell line, both AFM1 and OTA enhanced the content of reactive oxygen species, and the oxidative response was more apparent in OTA-treated cells in comparison with AFM1. Furthermore, OTA and AFM1 + OTA raised the protein abundance of p50/RelB, and triggered the translocation of the dimer from cytosol to nucleus. Therefore, the experimental data ex vivo and in vitro showed that OTA-induced inflammation was thought to be bound up with the up-regulation and translocation of NF-κB, though AFM1 seemed to have no obvious impact. Since it was the first attempt to uncover the appearances and inner mechanisms regarding inflammation provoked by AFM1 and OTA on immature intestinal models, further efforts are needed to understand the detailed metabolic steps of the toxin in cells and to clarify their causal relationship with the signals proposed from current research.

Efficacy of Fumonisin Esterase in Piglets as Animal Model for Fumonisin Detoxification in Humans: Pilot Study Comparing Intraoral to Intragastric Administration

Fumonisins, a group of highly prevalent and toxic mycotoxins, are suspected to be causal agents of several diseases in animals and humans. In the animal feed industry, fumonisin esterase is used as feed additive to prevent mycotoxicosis caused by fumonisins. In humans, a popular dosage form for dietary supplements, with high patient acceptance for oral intake, is capsule ingestion. Thus, fumonisin esterase provided in a capsule could be an effective strategy against fumonisin intoxication in humans. To determine the efficacy of fumonisin esterase through capsule ingestion, two modes of application were compared using piglets in a small-scale preliminary study. The enzyme was administered intraorally (in-feed analogue) or intragastrically (capsule analogue), in combination with fumonisin B1 (FB1). Biomarkers for FB1 exposure; namely FB1, hydrolysed FB1 (HFB1) and partially hydrolysed forms (pHFB1a and pHFB1b), were measured both in serum and faeces using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and toxicokinetic parameters were calculated. Additionally, the serum sphinganine/sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio, a biomarker of effect, was determined using LC-MS/MS. A significantly higher Sa/So ratio was shown in the placebo group compared to both esterase treatments, demonstrating the efficacy of the esterase. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum FB1 area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and an increase of faecal HFB1 AUC were observed after intraoral esterase administration. However, these effects were not observed with statistical significance after intragastric esterase administration with the current sample size.

Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 for Children Aged 1 to 9 Years Old in Serbia

The present study was conducted to estimate the exposure and characterize the risk for the child population of Serbia to Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from milk and milk-based food. A total of 3404 samples comprising milk and different milk-based food samples were collected from various regions of Serbia from 2017 to 2019. Evaluation of AFM1 exposure was carried out using the deterministic method, whereas risk characterization was evaluated using the margin of exposure (MOE) and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Detection rates for AFM1 in milk and milk-based food samples ranged between 2% and 79%, with the highest incidence (79%) and mean level (22.34 ± 0.018 ng kg^-1) of AFM1 being detected in pasteurized and UHT milk. According to the three consumption estimates, the values of estimated daily intake (EDI) were higher for toddlers as compared with children aged 3-9 years. Children aged 1-3 years had the highest risk of exposure to AFM1 in milk, with an estimated daily intake of 0.164 and 0.193 ng kg^-1 bw day^-1 using lower bound (LB) and upper bound (UB) exposure scenarios, respectively. Such difference could result from the higher consumption to weight in younger children. Based on the estimated daily intake (EDI) found in this study, the risk of AFM1 exposure due to consumption of milk and milk-based food was low since the MOE values obtained were >10,000. In addition, the risk of HCC cases/year/10⁵ individuals of different age groups showed that the value of HCC, using potency estimates of 0.0017 (mean), was maximum (0.00034) in the age group 1-3 years, which indicates no health risk for the evaluated groups. The present study revealed the importance of controlling and preventing AFM1 contamination in milk through continuous monitoring and regular inspection to reduce the risk of AFM1 exposure, especially in children.

Natural Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol in Cereal-Based Baby Foods for Infants from Western Poland

The study examined 110 samples of baby products based on rice, wheat, maize and multi-grains available on the western Polish market in order to detect the level of deoxynivalenol (DON) by means of HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). DON was detected in 9.09% of the infant food samples, with an average and maximum level of 107.8 ± 30 and 148 μg/kg, respectively. The highest concentration of DON was detected in food for infants: wheat-based (mean 121 ± 7.07, 4.8%), multi-grain (mean 118 ± 5.65, 4.25%) and maize-based (mean 100 ± 37.96; 35.30%). No high DON content and high estimated daily intake were observed in the analyzed products. However, in order to minimize the harmfulness associated with the presence of DON in food for infants and young children, a risk assessment should be performed based on the monitoring results.

The toxicity mechanisms of DON to humans and animals and potential biological treatment strategies

Deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitotoxin, is produced by Fusarium, belonging to the group B of the trichothecene family. DON is widely polluted, mainly polluting cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats, corn and related cereal products, which are closely related to lives of people and animals. At present, there have been articles summarizing DON induced toxicity, biological detoxification and the protective effect of natural products, but there is no systematic summary of this information. In addition to ribosome and endoplasmic reticulum, recent investigations support that mitochondrion is also organelles that DON can damage. DON can't directly act on mitochondria, but can indirectly cause mitochondrial damage and changes through other means. DON can indirectly inhibit mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial electron transport chain activity, ATP production, and mitochondrial transcription and translation. This review will provide the latest progress on mitochondria as the research object, and systematically summarizes all the toxic mechanisms of DON. Here, we discuss DON induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis and various mitochondrial toxicity. For the toxicity of DON, many methods have been derived to prevent or reduce the toxicity. Biological detoxification and the antioxidant effect of natural products are potentially effective treatments for DON toxicity.

Essential oils and their nanoformulations as green preservatives to boost food safety against mycotoxin contamination of food commodities: a review

Postharvest food spoilage due to fungal and mycotoxin contamination is a major challenge in tropical countries, leading to severe adverse effects on human health. Because of the negative effects of synthetic preservatives on both human health and the environment, it has been recommended that chemicals that have a botanical origin, with an eco-friendly nature and a favorable safety profile, should be used as green preservatives. Recently, the food industry and consumers have been shifting drastically towards green consumerism because of their increased concerns about health and the environment. Among different plant-based products, essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive components are strongly preferred as antimicrobial food preservatives. Despite having potent antimicrobial efficacy and preservation potential against fungal and mycotoxin contamination, essential oils and their bioactive components have limited practical applicability caused by their high volatility and their instability, implying the development of techniques to overcome the challenges associated with EO application. Essential oils and their bioactive components are promising alternatives to synthetic preservatives. To overcome challenges associated with EOs, nanotechnology has emerged as a novel technology in the food industries. Nanoencapsulation may boost the preservative potential of different essential oils by improving their solubility, stability, and targeted sustainable release. Nanoencapsulation of EOs is therefore currently being practiced to improve the stability and bioactivity of natural products. The present review has dealt extensively with the application of EOs and their nanoformulated products encapsulated in suitable polymeric matrices, so as to recommend them as novel green preservatives against foodborne molds and mycotoxin-induced deterioration of stored food commodities. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Whole transcriptome-based ceRNA network analysis revealed ochratoxin A-induced compromised intestinal tight junction proteins through WNT/Ca2+ signaling pathway

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread environmental pollutant that is a threat to humans and livestock and remains a global concern to public health. It has negative effects on both humans and animals that are in a continuously exposed environment. The compromised intestinal barrier caused by OTA has aroused widespread concern. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of OTA-induced tight junction (TJ) protein damage and the relevant components of the intestinal barrier through in vivo whole transcriptome analysis combined with in vitro functional verification. Bioinformatics analysis in OTA-treated Balb/c mice demonstrated that regulated TJ protein related mRNAs were perturbed, and activated the WNT/Ca2+ signaling pathway possibly regulated by key lncRNAs and miRNAs. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis revealed that lncRNA Zeb1 regulated FZD4 binding with WNT5a to release Ca2+ by targeting miR-1258-x and reduced the expression of TJ proteins, thus damaging the function of the intestinal barrier. An in vitro experiment with Caco-2 cells verified that an increase in Ca2+ level was involved in OTA-induced decreases in the expression of TJ proteins. Taken together, these results will help to identify targets in the intestinal barrier that are compromised by OTA, and will provide the basis for preventing the associated hazard and risk.

Aflatoxin Biosynthesis, Genetic Regulation, Toxicity, and Control Strategies: A Review

Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic and cancer-causing compounds, predominantly synthesized by the Aspergillus species. AFs biosynthesis is a lengthy process that requires as minimum as 30 genes grouped inside 75 kilobytes (kB) of gene clusters, which are regulated by specific transcription factors, including aflR, aflS, and some general transcription factors. This paper summarizes the status of research on characterizing structural and regulatory genes associated with AF production and their roles in aflatoxigenic fungi, particularly Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, and enhances the current understanding of AFs that adversely affect humans and animals with a great emphasis on toxicity and preventive methods.

Metabolomics analysis underlay mechanisms in the renal impairment of mice caused by combination of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are pernicious mycotoxins widely co-existing in the environment. However, nephrotoxicity and underlying mechanism induced by AFM1 coupled with OTA still remain to be explored. In this study, CD-1 mice were treated with 3.5 mg/kg b.w. AFM1, OTA, and AFM1 + OTA for 35 days, and UPLC-MS-based metabolomics method was effectuated to investigate metabolomic profiles of mice kidney. Subsequent experiments on human renal proximal tubular (HK-2) cells were performed to dig out the causal connections between distinguished differential metabolites and nephrotoxicity. Compared with DMSO vehicle group, all three toxin treatments (AFM1 and OTA alone, and in combination) significantly reduced final body weight, and remarkably elevated the concentration of serum creatinine (SCr) and caused abnormal histological phenotypes (shown by histopathological slices). OTA, AFM1 + OTA but not AFM1 reduced the relative weight index of kidney. These phenotypic results indicated that AFM1 and OTA were both toxic to the body, and it seemed that OTA exhibited a notable impairment to kidney while AFM1 had similar but limited effect compared with OTA. Further metabolomics analysis showed that when AFM1 and OTA were combined together, OTA exerted dominant effect on the alteration of metabolic processes. There were few differences in the number of changed metabolites between OTA and AFM1 + OTA group. Among the differentially expressed metabolites affected by OTA, and AFM1 + OTA, lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) were identified as the main type with significant upregulation, in which LysoPC (16:0) accounted for the most prime proportion. Western blotting results of HK-2 cells showed that single OTA and AFM1 + OTA increased the apoptotic protein expressions of Bax, caspase 3 and PARP, and decreased the expression of Bcl-2; while AFM1 only raised the expression of caspase 3. LysoPC (16:0) but not LysoPC (18:1) lifted the protein level of caspase 3 and PARP in HK-2 cells, and reduced the level of Bcl-2. Taken together, this study is the first effort trying to assess nephrotoxicity of AFM1 with OTA, and we guessed that OTA had a more pronounced toxicity to kidney in contrast to AFM1. No obvious synergism between AFM1 and OTA was found to contribute to the occurrence or development of nephropathy. LysoPC (16:0) might be the pivotal metabolite in response to single OTA and combined AFM1 + OTA engendering renal injury.

Mycotoxins Affecting Animals, Foods, Humans, and Plants: Types, Occurrence, Toxicities, Action Mechanisms, Prevention, and Detoxification Strategies-A Revisit

Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and are known to be toxic to humans and animals. Common mycotoxins include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, patulin, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, trichothecenes, Alternaria toxins, tremorgenic mycotoxins, fusarins, 3-nitropropionic acid, cyclochlorotine, sporidesmin, etc. These mycotoxins can pose several health risks to both animals and humans, including death. As several mycotoxins simultaneously occur in nature, especially in foods and feeds, the detoxification and/or total removal of mycotoxins remains challenging. Moreover, given that the volume of scientific literature regarding mycotoxins is steadily on the rise, there is need for continuous synthesis of the body of knowledge. To supplement existing information, knowledge of mycotoxins affecting animals, foods, humans, and plants, with more focus on types, toxicity, and prevention measures, including strategies employed in detoxification and removal, were revisited in this work. Our synthesis revealed that mycotoxin decontamination, control, and detoxification strategies cut across pre-and post-harvest preventive measures. In particular, pre-harvest measures can include good agricultural practices, fertilization/irrigation, crop rotation, using resistant varieties of crops, avoiding insect damage, early harvesting, maintaining adequate humidity, and removing debris from the preceding harvests. On the other hand, post-harvest measures can include processing, chemical, biological, and physical measures. Additionally, chemical-based methods and other emerging strategies for mycotoxin detoxification can involve the usage of chitosan, ozone, nanoparticles, and plant extracts.

Critical Assessment of Mycotoxins in Beverages and Their Control Measures

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi that contaminate food products such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, beverages, and other agricultural commodities. Their occurrence in the food chain, especially in beverages, can pose a serious risk to human health, due to their toxicity, even at low concentrations. Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), fumonisins (FBs), trichothecenes (TCs), zearalenone (ZEN), and the alternaria toxins including alternariol, altenuene, and alternariol methyl ether have largely been identified in fruits and their derived products, such as beverages and drinks. The presence of mycotoxins in beverages is of high concern in some cases due to their levels being higher than the limits set by regulations. This review aims to summarize the toxicity of the major mycotoxins that occur in beverages, the methods available for their detection and quantification, and the strategies for their control. In addition, some novel techniques for controlling mycotoxins in the postharvest stage are highlighted.

Case-Control Study of Nodding Syndrome in Acholiland: Urinary Multi-Mycotoxin Screening

This case-control study adds to the growing body of knowledge on the medical, nutritional, and environmental factors associated with Nodding Syndrome (NS), a seizure disorder of children and adolescents in northern Uganda. Past research described a significant association between NS and prior history of measles infection, dependence on emergency food and, at head nodding onset, subsistence on moldy maize, which has the potential to harbor mycotoxins. We used LC-MS/MS to screen for current mycotoxin loads by evaluating nine analytes in urine samples from age-and-gender matched NS cases (n = 50) and Community Controls (CC, n = 50). The presence of the three mycotoxins identified in the screening was not significantly different between the two groups, so samples were combined to generate an overall view of exposure in this community during the study. Compared against subsequently run standards, α-zearalenol (43 ± 103 µg/L in 15 samples > limit of quantitation (LOQ); 0 (0/359) µg/L), T-2 toxin (39 ± 81 µg/L in 72 samples > LOQ; 0 (0/425) µg/L) and aflatoxin M1 (4 ± 10 µg/L in 15 samples > LOQ; 0 (0/45) µg/L) were detected and calculated as the average concentration ± SD; median (min/max). Ninety-five percent of the samples had at least one urinary mycotoxin; 87% were positive for two of the three compounds detected. While mycotoxin loads at NS onset years ago are and will remain unknown, this study showed that children with and without NS currently harbor foodborne mycotoxins, including those associated with maize.

Targeting HMGB1 inhibits T-2 toxin-induced neurotoxicity via regulation of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis

T-2 toxin, a food-derived mycotoxin, has been identified as a neurotoxin. Nonetheless, T-2 toxin-induced neuroinflammation has never been revealed. As an important therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases and cancers, the role of high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) in mycotoxin-mediated neurotoxicity remains a mystery. In current study, we found that PC12 cells were sensitive to trace amounts of T-2 toxin less than 12 ng/mL, distinguished by decreased cell viability and increased release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage were observed in PC12 cells, manifested as accumulation of oxidative stress products, up-regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), leading to mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Meanwhile, we first discovered that tiny amounts of T-2 toxin triggered neuroinflammation directly, including raising the expression and translocation of NF-κB and promoting secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1β. Most interestingly, the increased of HMGB1 was detected both inside and outside the cells. Conversely, HMGB1 siRNA reduced T-2 toxin-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis and neuroinflammatory outbreak, accompanied by lessened caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, T-2 toxin-stimulated PC12 cells simultaneously displayed apoptosis and inflammation, whereas HMGB1 played a critical role in these neurotoxic processes.

Assessment of Exposure to Mycotoxins in Spanish Children through the Analysis of Their Levels in Plasma Samples

In this study, we present, for the first time in Spain, the levels of 19 mycotoxins in plasma samples from healthy and sick children (digestive, autism spectrum (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorders) (n = 79, aged 2–16). The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole) (LC-MS/MS). To detect Phase II metabolites, the samples were reanalyzed after pre-treatment with β-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase. The most prevalent mycotoxin was ochratoxin A (OTA) in all groups of children, before and after enzyme treatment. In healthy children, the incidence of OTA was 92.5% in both cases and higher than in sick children before (36.7% in digestive disorders, 50% in ASD, and 14.3% in ADHD) and also after the enzymatic treatment (76.6 % in digestive disorders, 50% in ASD, and 85.7% in ADHD). OTA levels increased in over 40% of healthy children after enzymatic treatment, and this increase in incidence and levels was also observed in all sick children. This suggests the presence of OTA conjugates in plasma. In addition, differences in OTA metabolism may be assumed. OTA levels are higher in healthy children, even after enzymatic treatment (mean OTA value for healthy children 3.29 ng/mL, 1.90 ng/mL for digestive disorders, 1.90 ng/mL for ASD, and 0.82 ng/mL for ADHD). Ochratoxin B appears only in the samples of healthy children with a low incidence (11.4%), always co-occurring with OTA. Sterigmatocystin (STER) was detected after enzymatic hydrolysis with a high incidence in all groups, especially in sick children (98.7% in healthy children and 100% in patients). This supports glucuronidation as a pathway for STER metabolism in children. Although other mycotoxins were studied (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1; T-2 and HT-2 toxins; deoxynivalenol, deepoxy-deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol; zearalenone; nivalenol; fusarenon-X; neosolaniol; and diacetoxyscirpenol), they were not detected either before or after enzymatic treatment in any of the groups of children. In conclusion, OTA and STER should be highly considered in the risk assessment of mycotoxins. Studies concerning their sources of exposure, toxicokinetics, and the relationship between plasma levels and toxic effects are of utmost importance in children.

Fumonisin B1-Induced Toxicity Was Not Exacerbated in Glutathione Peroxidase-1/Catalase Double Knock Out Mice

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) structurally resembles sphingolipids and interferes with their metabolism leading to sphingolipid dysregulation. We questioned if FB1 could exacerbate liver or kidney toxicities in glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) and catalase (Cat) knockout mice. While higher serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and sphinganine (Sa) were measured in Gpx1/Cat knockout mice (Gpx1/Cat KO) than wild type mice after 5 days of FB1 treatment, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), sphingosine-1 phosphate (So-1-P), and sphinganine-1 phosphate (Sa-1-P) were found to be relatively low. Although Sa was highly elevated in Gpx1/Cat KO mice and wild mice, lower levels of So and Sa were found in both the kidney and liver tissues of Gpx/Cat KO mice than wild type mice after FB1 treatment. Paradoxically, FB1-induced cellular apoptosis and necrosis were hastened under oxidative stress in Gpx1/Cat KO mice.

Evaluation of Mass Sensitive Micro-Array biosensors for their feasibility in multiplex detection of low molecular weight toxins using mycotoxins as model compounds

Mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species including trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisins, can co-contaminate food and feed throughout the supply chain, including cereal grains and animal feeds. There is an increasing demand to enhance global food security by improving the monitoring of mycotoxins throughout our food supply chain. For time and cost-efficient analysis, rapid tests capable of detecting multiple toxins from a single sample are ideal. Considering these current trends in mycotoxin testing, this project examined the feasibility of using both a portable and non-portable mass-based biosensor for multiplex mycotoxin detection. The biosensor was a mass sensitive microarray (MSMA) which consisted of 4 × 16 miniaturized mass sensitive transducer pixels based on solidly mounted resonator (SMR) technology. Functionalisation of individual pixels on the sensor surface using nano-spotting technology for the simultaneous and semi-quantitative detection of three regulated mycotoxins: T2-toxin (T2) zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisin B1 (FumB1) was examined. With the integration of portable and non-portable microfluidic devices for antibody and standard sample injections, competitive inhibition assays were developed followed by singleplex and multiplex calibration curves. The characteristics and performance of the MSMA were evaluated including sensitivity which was determined as the concentration causing 50% inhibition. Sensitivity of singleplex assays using the portable microfluidic device (PMD) were 1.3 ng/ml, 2.0 ng/ml and 6.8 ng/ml for T2, FumB1 and ZEN, respectively. Sensitivity of the multiplex assay again using the PMD was 6.1 ng/ml, 3.6 ng/ml and 2.4 ng/ml for T2, FumB1 and ZEN, respectively. The PMD was an easy to use and highly sensitive screening tool which has been demonstrated for the multiplex detection of three regulated mycotoxins. Analysis was in real time and results were fully digital. Since detection of analytes was by mass it was both a label-free and cost-efficient method proposed method of analysis for mycotoxins.

Early exposure to food contaminants reshapes maturation of the human brain-gut-microbiota axis

Early childhood growth and development is conditioned by the consecutive events belonging to perinatal programming. This critical window of life will be very sensitive to any event altering programming of the main body functions. Programming of gut function, which is starting right after conception, relates to a very well-established series of cellular and molecular events associating all types of cells present in this organ, including neurons, endocrine and immune cells. At birth, this machinery continues to settle with the establishment of extra connection between enteric and other systemic systems and is partially under the control of gut microbiota activity, itself being under the densification and the diversification of microorganisms’ population. As thus, any environmental factor interfering on this pre-established program may have a strong incidence on body functions. For all these reasons, pregnant women, fetuses and infants will be particularly susceptible to environmental factors and especially food contaminants. In this review, we will summarize the actual understanding of the consequences of repeated low-level exposure to major food contaminants on gut homeostasis settlement and on brain/gut axis communication considering the pivotal role played by the gut microbiota during the fetal and postnatal stages and the presumed consequences of these food toxicants on the individuals especially in relation with the risks of developing later in life non-communicable chronic diseases.

Natural pseurotins inhibit proliferation and inflammatory responses through the inactivation of STAT signaling pathways in macrophages

BACKGROUND

Natural pseurotins, secondary metabolites of fungi, commonly produced by various species such as Aspergillus flavus with suggested significant biological effects. However, little is known about effects of pseurotins on immune system functions.

METHODS

Effects of pseurotin A and D on proliferation and viability of macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated together with mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide was analyzed based on determination of nitric oxide (NO) production, expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor production. Activation of selected signaling pathways, particularly STAT and MAPK, as well as expression of cyclins were determined.

RESULTS

Natural pseurotins A and D in concentrations of up to 50 μM significantly inhibit proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophages which was not complemented by induction of cell toxicity. The inhibition of cell proliferation was accompanied by downregulation of expression of cyclins and mitochondrial respiration via inhibition of particularly STAT3 phosphorylation. Both pseurotins significantly inhibited production of NO, expression of iNOS and IL-6 production.

CONCLUSION

Our results advance the current mechanistic understanding of the pseurotin-induced inhibition of proliferation, metabolic respiration and functional responses in macrophages by linking the effect to JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Molecular docking studies and in vitro degradation of four aflatoxins (AFB1 , AFB2 , AFG1 , and AFG2 ) by a recombinant laccase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Here, molecular docking simulation was used to predict and compare interactions between a recombinant Trametes sp. C30 laccase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and four aflatoxins (AFB₁ , AFB₂ , AFG₁ , and AFG₂ ) as well as their degradation at a molecular level. The computational result of docking simulation indicates that each of the aflatoxins tested can interact with laccase with a binding ability of AFB₁ >AFG₂ >AFG₁ >AFB₂ . Simultaneously, it also demonstrated that aflatoxin B₁ ， B₂ ， G₁ ， G₂ may interact near the T1 copper center of the enzyme through H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions with amino acid residues His481 and Asn288; His481； Asn288, and Asp230; His481 and Asn288. Biological degradation test was performed in vitro in the presence of a recombinant laccase. Degradation increased as incubation time increased from 12 to 60 hr and the maximum degradation obtained for AFB₁ , AFB₂ , AFG₁ , and AFG₂ was 90.33%, 74.23%, 85.24%, and 87.58%, respectively. Maximum degradation of aflatoxins was determined with a total activity 3 U laccase at 30 °C in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 5.7 after 48-hr incubation. The experimental results are consistent with that of docking calculation on the biological degradation test of four aflatoxins by laccase. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, the degradation efficiencies of laccase for B and G series of aflatoxins were determined by computer simulation and verified by performing in vitro experiments. It can provide reference for rapid screening of aflatoxin degradation-related enzymes.

Current PCR-based methods for the detection of mycotoxigenic fungi in complex food and feed matrices

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites produced by certain types of filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. Mycotoxigenic fungi and their produced mycotoxins are considered to be an important issue in food and feed safety due to their toxic effects like carcinogenicity, immunosuppression, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity on humans and animals. To boost the safety level of food and feedstuff, detection and identification of toxins are essential at critical control points across food and feed chains. Zero-tolerance policies by the European Union and other organizations about the extreme low level of tolerance of mycotoxins contamination in food and feed matrices have led to an increasing interest to design more sensitive, specific, rapid, cost-effective, and safer to use mycotoxigenic fungi detection technologies. Hence, many mycotoxigenic fungi detection technologies have been applied to measure and control toxins contamination in food and feed substrates. PCR-based mycotoxigenic fungi detection technologies, such as conventional PCR, real-time PCR, nested PCR, reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), in situ PCR, polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR DGGE), co-operational PCR, multiplex PCR, DNA arrays, magnetic capture-hybridization (MCH)-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), would contribute to our understanding about different mycotoxigenic fungi detection approaches and will enhance our capability about mycotoxigenic fungi identification, isolation and characterization at critical control points across food and feed chains. We have assessed the principles, results, the limit of detection, and application of these PCR-based detection technologies to alleviate mycotoxins contamination problem in complex food and feed substrates. The potential application of these detection technologies can reduce mycotoxins in complex food and feed matrices.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation modulates the gut microbiota to promote butyrate production, protecting against deoxynivalenol exposure in nude mice

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most common mycotoxin in grains, and DON exposure causes gastrointestinal inflammation and systemic immunosuppression. The immunosuppression caused by DON has raised serious concerns about whether it is safe to use probiotics in immunocompromised hosts. Gut microbiota remodeling by Lactobacillus is a potential effective strategy to prevent DON exposure. The athymic nude mice were chose as the model of immunocompromised animals. We tested the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) supplementation on host protection against DON exposure and the underlying mechanisms in nude mice. DON exposure induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and impaired intestinal barrier function and microbiota, which were relieved by LGG supplementation but not LA supplementation. LGG supplementation significantly enhanced the intestinal barrier function, increased the body weight and the survival rate in nude mice that exposed to DON for two weeks. Furthermore, LGG supplementation modulated the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes and the levels of the butyrate-producing genes But and Buk to promote butyrate production. Butyrate inhibited the IRE1α/XBP1 signaling pathway to reduce DON-induced intestine injury. In conclusion, LGG supplementation modulated the gut microbiota to promote butyrate production, protecting against DON exposure in nude mice. Both LGG and butyrate show promise for use in protecting against DON exposure.

Patulin Mycotoxin in Mango and Orange Fruits, Juices, Pulps, and Jams Marketed in Pakistan

The objective of the study was to explore the incidence of patulin (PAT) mycotoxin in mango and orange fruits and derived products marketed in Pakistan. A total of 274 samples, including 70 mango fruits, 63 mango-based products (juices, pulp, and jam), 77 orange fruits, and 64 orange-based products, were collected. PAT was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector (276 nm). Linear detector response was observed (R2 > 0.99), the limit of detection (LOD) was 5 µg/kg and recovery percentage was 97.4%. The incidence of PAT in mango samples was 61.7%, and the concentration ranged from Collapse

Key Words

• food safety
• fruit-derived products
• mango
• orange
• patulin
• regulatory limits

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MESH Headings

• Beverages
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Citrus sinensis
• Food Contamination
• Food Microbiology
• Fruit/microbiology
• Malus
• Mangifera/microbiology
• Pakistan
• Patulin/analysis
• Patulin/toxicity

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Affiliation(s)

Shabbir Hussain Food Toxicology Laboratory, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (S.H.); (N.K.); (S.W.-u.-H.) Central Analytical Facility Division, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), P. O. Nilore, Islamabad 45650, Pakistan
Muhammad Rafique Asi Food Toxicology Laboratory, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (S.H.); (N.K.); (S.W.-u.-H.)
Mazhar Iqbal Health Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
Nisha Khalid Food Toxicology Laboratory, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (S.H.); (N.K.); (S.W.-u.-H.)
Syed Wajih-ul-Hassan Food Toxicology Laboratory, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College (NIAB-C), Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (S.H.); (N.K.); (S.W.-u.-H.)
Agustín Ariño Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón—IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Facultad de Veterinaria, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;

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Toxicological and Medical Aspects of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins Entering the Feed and Food Chain

Due to Earth's changing climate, the ongoing and foreseeable spreading of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species has increased the possibility of mycotoxin contamination in the feed and food production chain. These harmful mycotoxins have aroused serious health and economic problems since their first appearance. The most potent Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, gliotoxin, fumonisins, sterigmatocystin, and patulin. Some of them can be found in dairy products, mainly in milk and cheese, as well as in fresh and especially in dried fruits and vegetables, in nut products, typically in groundnuts, in oil seeds, in coffee beans, in different grain products, like rice, wheat, barley, rye, and frequently in maize and, furthermore, even in the liver of livestock fed by mycotoxin-contaminated forage. Though the mycotoxins present in the feed and food chain are well documented, the human physiological effects of mycotoxin exposure are not yet fully understood. It is known that mycotoxins have nephrotoxic, genotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic properties and, as a consequence, these toxins may cause liver carcinomas, renal dysfunctions, and also immunosuppressed states. The deleterious physiological effects of mycotoxins on humans are still a first-priority question. In food production and also in the case of acute and chronic poisoning, there are possibilities to set suitable food safety measures into operation to minimize the effects of mycotoxin contaminations. On the other hand, preventive actions are always better, due to the multivariate nature of mycotoxin exposures. In this review, the occurrence and toxicological features of major Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins are summarized and, furthermore, the possibilities of treatments in the medical practice to heal the deleterious consequences of acute and/or chronic exposures are presented.

Investigation of age-related differences in toxicokinetic processes of deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside in weaned piglets

Age-related differences in toxicokinetic processes of deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON3G) were studied. DON3G [55.7 µg/kg bodyweight (BW)] and an equimolar dose of DON (36 µg/kg BW) were administered to weaned piglets (4 weeks old) by single intravenous and oral administration in a double two-way cross-over design. Systemic and portal blood was sampled at different time points pre- and post-administration and plasma concentrations of DON, DON3G and their metabolites were quantified using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) methods. Data were processed using tailor-made compartmental toxicokinetic (TK) models to accurately estimate TK parameters. Results were statistically compared to data obtained in a previous study on 11-week-old pigs using identical experimental conditions. Significant age-related differences in intestinal and systemic exposure to both DON and DON3G were noted. Most remarkably, a significant difference was found for the absorbed fraction of DON3G, after presystemic hydrolysis to DON, in weaned piglets compared to 11-week-old piglets (83% vs 16%, respectively), assumed to be mainly attributed to the higher intestinal permeability of weaned piglets. Other differences in TK parameters could be assigned to a higher water/fat body ratio and longer gastrointestinal transit time of weaned piglets. Results may further refine current risk assessment concerning DON and DON3G in animals. Additionally, since piglets possibly serve as a human paediatric surrogate model, results may be extrapolated to human infants.

Health risk assessment of Patulin intake through apples and apple-based foods sold in Qatar

This is the first report on assessing the non-carcinogenic health risk associated with Patulin exposure in Qatar. The concentrations of Patulin, as determined in previous studies, in apples, apple juice, and apple-based baby foods sold in Qatar and nearby countries were used to conduct the health risk assessment (HRA). The risk related to Patulin intake by different age groups was calculated using the USEPA risk assessment models. The intake levels (ILs) of various age groups was compared with the international standards. The highest IL in Qatar was for babies between 5-12 months old through ingesting contaminated apple-based baby foods, yet those levels were below the tolerable daily intake of Patulin set by the EU at 0.4 μg/kg BW/d. The results showed that the intake of Patulin in Qatar is lower than that in Tunisia and Iran based on the HRA analysis. The risk caused by chronic exposure to Patulin through ingesting raw apples and apple juice separately was below “1,” indicating that the overall population is not likely to be at risk of Patulin exposure. However, various uncertainties should be considered when adopting these results, mainly the low number of samples and additive exposure to other mycotoxins from different sources.