Effect of chemical and environmental factors on Aspergillus ochraceus growth and toxigenesis in green coffee

Food-Borne Biotoxin Neutralization in Vivo by Nanobodies: Current Status and Prospects

Food-borne biotoxins from microbes, plants, or animals contaminate unclean, spoiled, and rotten foods, posing significant health risks. Neutralizing such toxins is vital for human health, especially after food poisoning. Nanobodies (Nbs), a type of single-domain antibodies derived from the genetic cloning of a variable domain of heavy chain antibodies (VHHs) in camels, offer unique advantages in toxin neutralization. Their small size, high stability, and precise binding enable effective neutralization. The use of Nbs in neutralizing food-borne biotoxins offers numerous benefits, and their genetic malleability allows tailored optimization for diverse toxins. As nanotechnology continues to evolve and improve, Nbs are poised to become increasingly efficient and safer tools for toxin neutralization, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding human health and environmental safety. This review not only highlights the efficacy of these agents in neutralizing toxins but also proposes innovative solutions to address their current challenges. It lays a solid foundation for their further development in this crucial field and propels their commercial application, thereby contributing significantly to advancements in this domain.

Fungal Diversity and Evaluation of Ochratoxin A Content of Coffee from Three Cameroonian Regions

The present study had the objective to assess the ochratoxin A content of coffee through chromatographic analysis and design a method using PCR-DGGE to analyze at the same moment the totality of fungal flora present in the coffee samples in order to determine their geographic origin. 96 samples of coffee were collected from the west region (Bafoussam and Dschang), centre region (Bafia), and east region (Batouri) of Cameroon during two years (2017 and 2018). Two treatments (dry and wet routes) were evaluated at three different steps of coffee processing (parchment coffee, green coffee, and husk coffee). The characterization of the fungal profile was done with PCR-DGGE and sequencing. The levels of OTA were assessed using HPLC analysis. The results indicated that the toxinogenic mycoflora associated with coffee beans was mainly Aspergillus niger, A. carbonarius, and A. ochraceus. PCR-DGGE data revealed that each sampling site is characterized by a specific fungal profile. Despite the influence of the treatment on the fungal population of coffee, bands common to samples coming from the same site were observed. These bands could therefore constitute potential biological markers to trace back to the origin of coffee. OTA was detected in most of the coffee samples analyzed and only few samples contented OTA at levels higher than the maximum tolerable limit for food intended for human consumption. The OTA content of coffee was significantly influenced by the sampling step and the sampling period.

Differentiation and quantification of the ochratoxin A producers Aspergillus ochraceus and Aspergillus westerdijkiae using PCR-DGGE

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin which is produced in tropical zones mainly by Aspergillus carbonarius, A. niger, A. ochraceus, and A. westerdijkiae. A. ochraceus and A. westerdijkiae species are phenotypically and genomically very close but A. westerdijkiae produce OTA at a very higher level than A. ochraceus. These species have been differentiated recently. The DNA primer pairs which were drawn so far are not specific and a genomic region of the same size is amplified for both species or they are too specific, and in this case, the DNA of a single species is amplified. To help preventing OTA contamination of foodstuffs, the PCR-DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis) method was used to discriminate between A. ochraceus and A. westerdijkiae DNA fragments of the same size but with different sequences and thus faster access to a diagnosis of the toxigenic potential of the fungal microflora. The proposed methodology was able to differentiate A. westerdijkiae from A. ochraceus with only one primer pairs in a single run. A calibration based on initial DNA content was obtained from image analysis of the DGGE gels and a method of quantification of the two strains was proposed.

Fungal contamination in green coffee beans samples: A public health concern

Studies on the microbiology of coffee cherries and beans have shown that the predominant toxigenic fungal genera (Aspergillus and Penicillium) are natural coffee contaminants. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of fungi in Coffea arabica L. (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora L. var. robusta (Robusta coffee) green coffee samples obtained from different sources at the pre-roasting stage. Twenty-eight green coffee samples from different countries of origin (Brazil, Timor, Honduras, Angola, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, India, and Uganda) were evaluated. The fungal load in the contaminated samples ranged from 0 to 12330 colony forming units (CFU)/g, of which approximately 67% presented contamination levels below 1500 CFU/g, while 11% exhibited intermediate contamination levels between 1500 and 3000 CFU/g. Contamination levels higher than 3000 CFU/g were found in 22% of contaminated coffee samples. Fifteen different fungi were isolated by culture-based methods and Aspergillus species belonging to different sections (complexes). The predominant Aspergillus section detected was Nigri (39%), followed by Aspergillus section Circumdati (29%). Molecular analysis detected the presence of Aspergillus sections Fumigati and Circumdati. The% coffee samples where Aspergillus species were identified by culture-based methods were 96%. Data demonstrated that green coffee beans samples were contaminated with toxigenic fungal species. Since mycotoxins may be resistant to the roasting process, this suggests possible exposure to mycotoxins through consumption of coffee. Further studies need to be conducted to provide information on critical points of coffee processing, such that fungal contamination may be reduced or eliminated and thus exposure to fungi and mycotoxins through coffee handling and consumption be prevented.

Capacidad antifúngica de sobrenadantes libres de células obtenidos de la fermentación de un sustrato de “panela” con gránulos de kefir de agua

<p>El kefir de agua (KA) es una bebida fermentada medianamente ácida elaborada con soluciones azucaradas y fermentada por un consorcio de microorganismos, principalmente bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) y levaduras (LEV), embebidas en un polisacárido llamado gránulo de KA. La presencia de hongos y sus toxinas es un problema de la producción de alimentos, como Aspergillus ochraceus y sus micotoxinas especialmente en café y vino. Entre algunas alternativas que se han evaluado para su inhibición se incluyen las bacterias ácido lácticas y productos fermentados en general.</p><p>El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue evaluar la capacidad del KA en inhibir o retrasar el crecimiento de <em>A. ochraceus</em>. Se emplearon 8 sobrenadantes libres de células (SLC) obtenidos de diferentes fermentaciones de panela con gránulos de KA y con diferentes concentraciones de ácidos orgánicos (láctico y acético). Se hicieron fermentaciones con gránulos de KA en solución de panela por periodos de 32,5 h, a 25, 30 y 37 °C. Se determinaron la cinética de acidificación; el incremento de biomasa y se hizo el recuento de los grupos de microorganismos que componen el gránulo. A 25 °C se determinó el mayor aumento de biomasa (92%). La temperatura de fermentación afectó el recuento de los microorganismos que conforman el gránulo, principalmente las BAL, disminuyendo su cantidad a la máxima temperatura de fermentación (37 °C) (6,4x107UFC ml-1), comparado con la mínima temperatura (25 ºC) (4,0x106 UFC ml-1). El fermento que presentó mayor actividad antifúngica fue el SLC5 (pH: 3,2; temperatura de fermentación: 30 °C). El poder inhibitorio se atribuyó a los ácidos orgánicos producidos durante la fermentación, aunque no se puede descartar que hayan actuado otras sustancias no cuantificadas.</p><p>Se pudo comprobar que el KA puede fermentar y aumentar su biomasa en un sustrato como el agua de panela y que sus SLC tienen la capacidad de reducir el crecimiento de <em>A. ochraceus</em>.</p>

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination of coffee beans in Benguet province, Philippines

Coffee remains an important agricultural product in Benguet province, Philippines, but is highly susceptible to fungal and mycotoxin contamination in various stages of growth and processing and in different local climates. In this study, pre- and post-harvest coffee bean samples from temperate and warm farming areas were assessed for their fungal and mycotoxin contaminants. One hundred eighty-five fungal isolates belonging to six genera were isolated representing 88.1% of mycotoxigenic fungi. The predominant species belonged to the genus Aspergillus, which are known producers of mycotoxins. Coffee beans from the post-harvest temperate group were found to have the highest percentage mycotoxigenic contamination of 98.4%, suggesting that the risk for fungal contamination is high after drying. Determination of the mycotoxins indicated 28.6% contamination. Ochratoxin A was found to be highest in dried whole cherries which contained 97.3 μg kg(-1), whilst sterigmatocystin was also highest in dried whole cherries at 193.7 μg kg(-1). These results indicate that there are risks of fungal and mycotoxin contamination of Benguet coffee at the post-harvest stage.

Influence of post-harvest processing on ochratoxin A content in cocoa and on consumer exposure in Cameroon

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that contaminates several foodstuffs, including cocoa. It has nephrotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic properties in humans. The effect of post-harvest processing and storage on the OTA contamination of cocoa was studied over three successive cocoa seasons (2005, 2006 and 2007) in Cameroon. The type of fermentation (box or heap) did not significantly influence bean OTA content, which varied from undetectable (<0.03 ng/g) to 0.25 ng/g, remaining below 2 ng/g (the defined standard for cocoa beans). However, pod damage and late pod opening were aggravating factors for OTA contamination of cocoa. If pods were not intact (intentionally or naturally damaged), OTA was found in samples with contents of up to 75.5 ng/g before processing and 32.2 ng/g after 4 months' storage. This contamination exceeded the levels tolerated for export. In addition, some of the cocoa produced is processed locally and consumed as chocolate, cocoa powder, chocolate filled sweets, cocoa-based drinks and cocoa butter. In Cameroon, the average daily consumption of cocoa by-products is estimated at 0.75 g/d for adults and 1 g/d for children. Consequently, for maximum OTA contamination of cocoa beans, the maximum daily exposure to OTA would be 1.61 ng/kg bw/d in young children weighing around 20 kg, greatly contributing to the exposure of young consumers.

Chemical, physical and biological approaches to prevent ochratoxin induced toxicoses in humans and animals

Ochratoxins are polyketide derived fungal secondary metabolites with nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, teratogenic, and carcinogenic properties. Ochratoxin-producing fungi may contaminate agricultural products in the field (preharvest spoilage), during storage (postharvest spoilage), or during processing. Ochratoxin contamination of foods and feeds poses a serious health hazard to animals and humans. Several strategies have been investigated for lowering the ochratoxin content in agricultural products. These strategies can be classified into three main categories: prevention of ochratoxin contamination, decontamination or detoxification of foods contaminated with ochratoxins, and inhibition of the absorption of consumed ochratoxins in the gastrointestinal tract. This paper gives an overview of the strategies that are promising with regard to lowering the ochratoxin burden of animals and humans.

OTA-producing fungi isolated from stored cocoa beans

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify fungal populations in unroasted cocoa beans stored in Spain in order to evaluate the ochratoxin A (OTA)-production ability of certain Aspergillus isolates.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty batches of cocoa beans from different origins and with different OTA content were selected for this study. Three Aspergillus carbonarius and 13 Aspergillus niger aggregate strains isolated from these cocoa bean samples were selected to evaluate their OTA synthesis ability, being the only A. carbonarius isolates which are OTA producers [<limit of detection (LOD) = 3520 microg kg(-1) culture medium; LOD = 6 microg kg(-1) culture medium].

CONCLUSIONS

No correspondence was found between the OTA levels in cocoa beans and the presence of OTA-producing fungi. Nonetheless, some samples contained A. carbonarius with a high OTA-producing ability and, consequently, specific fungal controls should be set up during storage to avoid this toxin.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Toxigenic fungi in cocoa beans are not well understood. This study attempted to identify these fungi and evaluate their OTA-producing ability.

Study of the phenotypic and genotypic biodiversity of potentially ochratoxigenic black aspergilli isolated from grapes

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic, carcinogenic, teratogenic and immunotoxic effects, naturally found in agricultural products including grapes and wine. Black Aspergillus species (Section Nigri) are mainly responsible for OTA accumulation in wine grapes and in particular Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus niger aggregate. The biodiversity of potentially ochratoxigenic strains of black aspergilli from different French vineyards in the southern Mediterranean region of Languedoc-Roussillon was studied. One hundred and eighty nine black strains were isolated from grapes and studied according to harvest year, production zone, grape variety and pre-harvest treatment of grapevines. The strains were identified and classified in two groups according to macroscopic and microscopic characters; these were called the A. carbonarius representative group and the A. niger aggregate representative group. Members of each group were classified in subgroups based on macroscopic morphological colony characters. Strain biodiversity was studied according to phenotypic and genotypic characterization and to the OTA production of selected strains on PDA medium. After identification was confirmed by specific PCR using primer pair ITS1/CAR and ITS1/NIG, 24 potential ochratoxigenic strains belonging to A. carbonarius and A. niger aggregate were discriminated by RAPD-PCR using 8 different OPC primers. The use of specific primers supported the identification based on phenotypic and morphological characters. RAPD-PCR patterns demonstrated a considerable diversity among the strains. Clustering among A. niger aggregate strains was associated with production zone and harvest year, but not grape variety or pre-harvest treatment. Clustering among A. carbonarius strains was not associated with any of the above parameters. OTA production of strains on culture medium seemed to correlate better with morphological characters than with genotypic profiles. No clear relation could be established between phenotypic and genotypic characters of the studied black aspergilli.

Influence de l’interaction de la température et de l’activité de l’eau sur la croissance et la production de l’ochratoxine A parAspergillus niger,Aspergillus carbonariusetAspergillus ochraceussur un milieu de base café

Dans cette étude, l’influence de l’interaction de la température et de l’activité de l’eau sur la croissance fongique et la production de l’ochratoxine A sur un milieu de base café a été évaluée. La croissance optimale des trois souches d’ Aspergillus a été observée dans les mêmes conditions écologiques à savoir, 30 °C pour la température et 0,99 pour l’activité de l’eau. Les croissances journalières maximales sont 11,2, 6,92 et 7,22 mm/jour respectivement pour la souche d’Aspergillus niger, d’Aspergillus carbonarius et d’Aspergillus ochraceus. Cependant, les conditions écologiques de production optimale d'ochratoxine A varient selon la souche toxinogène avec comme facteur limitant, l’activité de l’eau. Cette production d’ochratoxine A est inhibée à la température de 42 °C et à l’activité de l’eau de 0,75. La correspondance établie entre les valeurs d’activité de l’eau testées en laboratoire et celles mesurées sur un lot de cerises mûres mis à sécher au soleil montre que les 5 premiers jours de séchage constituent la phase critique de multiplication fongique et de production de l’ochratoxine A. Ainsi, un séchage artificiel des cerises à une température supérieure à 42 °C évitera non seulement la multiplication fongique mais également la contamination de ce produit par l’ochratoxine A.

Ochratoxin A in red paprika: relationship with the origin of the raw material

The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OA) in paprika elaborated from peppers grown in several countries (Peru, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Spain) was studied, using an immunoaffinity clean-up column coupled to liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. The preparation of the methyl ester (OA-Me) and liquid chromatography-electrospray-ion trap-mass spectrometry was used both to confirm the identity of the chromatographic peak that correspond to OA and to quantify it at low levels or in dirty fractions. A total of 115 strains of moulds were isolated; 85 of the fungal strains were obtained from OA contaminated paprika samples and identified as belonging to the Aspergillus Section Circumdati group (A. ochraceus) and Section Nigri group (A. niger, A. carbonarius). Among the latter ones, 31% of the A. ochraceus isolates and one A. niger were OA producers in vitro. None of the mould strains isolated from paprika samples with undetectable levels of OA or concentrations below 1 microg kg(-1) were toxin producers. Great differences in OA content in paprika samples were found, and a relationship with the climatic conditions of the geographic origin of the samples, and with cultural and technical practices in pepper manipulation is suggested.

Ecophysiology of ochratoxigenicAspergillus ochraceusandPenicillium verrucosumisolates. Predictive models for fungal spoilage prevention – a review

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium; among them Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum are two ochratoxigenic species capable of growing in different climates and thus contamination of food crops with OTA can occur worldwide. OTA can be found in a wide range of foods such as cereals, coffee, cocoa, spices, beer, wine, dried vine fruit, grapes and meat products. OTA is toxic to animals, it presents neurotoxic, immunotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. It has been implicated in a human kidney disorder known as Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. This review focuses on the ecophysiology of ochratoxin-producing Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium verrucosum, the effect of environmental factors on their germination, mycelial growth, and OTA production. Knowledge of environmental conditions required for sucessive stages of fungal development represent the first step towards preventing mycotoxin formation. Predictive models for different stages of fungal development are presented, which allow prediction of the time before spoilage as a function of the abiotic factors. Finally, the implications of these studies in management of barley, coffee and grapes are described. This can help to identify the critical control points in their production, storage and distribution processes.

Effect of the frequency of the mixing of coffee cherries put out for drying on the kinetics of drying and the relationship to ochratoxin A production

The effect of the frequency of the mixing of coffee cherries put out for sun drying on the kinetics of the drying, fungal growth and kinetics of ochratoxin A production was evaluated. The results showed that the more coffee cherries were mixed, the quicker they dried. This rapidity of drying led to a reduction of fungal development. Indeed, coffee cherries mixed eight and ten times a day, dried quickly and were free inside of fungi. However, infection by fungi gives little indication of ochratoxin A production in coffee cherries. Indeed, although coffee cherries mixed twice a day were more contaminated by fungi, the analysis of ochratoxin A content showed they were free of this mycotoxin. The coffee cherries that were more contaminated by ochratoxin A were those mixed four times a day (containing 0.35-5.46 microg kg(-1) ochratoxin A). Ochratoxin A contamination was essentially due to the presence of Aspergillus species capable of producing ochratoxin A inside the coffee cherries.