Cross-linked chitosan polymers as generic adsorbents for simultaneous adsorption of multiple mycotoxins

Evaluation of mycotoxin binders against deoxynivalenol and fumonisin B1 using isotherm models and linear equations

This study was conducted to evaluate the adsorbent characteristics of two mycotoxin binders (BBAc - composed of bentonite, β-glucans, and activated charcoal, and SepHt - composed of heat-treated sepiolite) against deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) using Brunaeur-Emmett-Teller, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Freundlich, and Langmuir isotherm models and linear regression equations. Both products were tested in vitro at 0.5% with increasing levels of DON or FB1 (0.5-10 mg L-1) using solutions of pH 3 and pH 6 and analysed by LC-MS/MS. FB1 adsorption rates were not different between the products (p > 0.05) at pH 3 and pH 6. At a DON concentration of 1 mg L-1, BBAc had higher (p < 0.05) adsorption rates than SepHt. For DON, the Freundlich model had the best fit with BBAc at pH 3 and 6, and the Langmuir model with SepHt at both pHs. For FB1, the Freundlich model had the best fit with BBAc and SepHt at pH 3, and the Langmuir model with both products at pH 6. All the linear regression equations had lower R2 than the isotherm models. Therefore, the adsorption isotherm models provided more informative and reliable data for the mycotoxins and mycotoxin binders tested herein.

Physicochemical characterization and cytotoxicity assessment of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) modified chitosan (SDSCS) before and after removal of aflatoxins (AFs) as a potential mycotoxin Binder

Aflatoxins in food and feed with prominent toxic effects have jeopardized public health for decades. This investigation intends to explore synthesized SDS-modified chitosan as new generation of binder for removal of aflatoxin using a straightforward ionic cross-linking approach. The primary objective of this technique was to enhance affinity and adsorption capability of SDSCS towards aflatoxins. In this context, physicochemical properties of SDSCS characterized with advanced analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) before and after removal of aflatoxin. In this study, effect of the pH on the adsorption of aflatoxins (6ppb) indicated that the increase in SDSCS concentration from low (0.5) to high (2 %) resulted in an increase of about 80 %, 78 % and 81 % in the adsorption percentage of AFB1, AFG1, and AFB2 & AFG2, respectively. FT-IR analysis showed the intramolecular interactions of the amine groups of chitosan and sulfate group of SDS formed a stable complex in the removal of aflatoxin that verified with appearance of three new additional peaks at 1323.50, 984.34 and 603.42 cm-1. Notably, SEM images revealed that the porous SDSCS network was filled with aflatoxin molecules supported with EDS findings. Also, in vitro cytotoxicity assessments demonstrated that SDSCS protected HepG2 cells against cytotoxic effect caused by aflatoxin (5 µM) in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control (p<0.01). Collectively, the adsorption mechanism may involve attraction of anionic aflatoxin molecule into the interconnected pores of SDSCS complex with numerous cationic active site via hydrogen bond and van der waals force.

Innovative Use of Spirogyra sp. Biomass for the Sustainable Adsorption of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A in Aqueous Solutions

This research investigates the efficacy of Spirogyra sp. biomass as an effective adsorbent for the removal of AFB1 and OTA from aqueous solutions. Several factors, including contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH level, and initial mycotoxin concentration, were analyzed to evaluate their impact on adsorption efficacy. The optimal contact time for equilibrium was determined at 60 min, during which the TPA obtained a 91% reduction in AFB1 and 68% removal of OTA. Although increasing the adsorbent dosage improved effectiveness, excessive quantities led to particle aggregation, hence diminishing adsorption performance. The optimal dosage of 5.0 mg/mL optimized the efficacy and use of resources. Adsorption was more efficacious at acidic to neutral pH levels (5-6), enhancing the accessibility of functional groups on the biomass. Kinetic analysis indicated that adsorption process followed a pseudo second-order model, whereas isotherm studies demonstrated a heterogeneous adsorption mechanism, with the Freundlich model providing the optimal fit. The TPB exhibited enhanced adsorption capacities for both mycotoxins, offering a viable solution for mitigating mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. These findings illustrate the significance of biomass treatment techniques in improving mycotoxin removal efficacy and suggest the potential of algal biomass in food safety applications.

Comprehensive Insights into Ochratoxin A: Occurrence, Analysis, and Control Strategies

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic mycotoxin produced by some mold species from genera Penicillium and Aspergillus. OTA has been detected in cereals, cereal-derived products, dried fruits, wine, grape juice, beer, tea, coffee, cocoa, nuts, spices, licorice, processed meat, cheese, and other foods. OTA can induce a wide range of health effects attributable to its toxicological properties, including teratogenicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. OTA is not only toxic to humans but also harmful to livestock like cows, goats, and poultry. This is why the European Union and various countries regulate the maximum permitted levels of OTA in foods. This review intends to summarize all the main aspects concerning OTA, starting from the chemical structure and fungi that produce it, its presence in food, its toxicity, and methods of analysis, as well as control strategies, including both fungal development and methods of inactivation of the molecule. Finally, the review provides some ideas for future approaches aimed at reducing the OTA levels in foods.

Adsorption of aflatoxin B1 by different antimycotoxin additives: bentonite, clinoptilolite, and beta-glucans extracted from yeast cell wall

The present study aims to evaluate and compare antimycotoxin additives (AMAs) composed of bentonite (AMA 1), clinoptilolite (AMA 2), and beta-glucans extracted from yeast cell wall (AMA 3), with respect to their ability to bind Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) using the isothermal models of Freundlich, Langmuir, and BET. The additives were submitted to an in vitro adsorption experiment with AFB1 (0.05-4 mg L-1), using solutions of pH 3 and pH 6, with an inclusion rate of 0.5%, and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. At pH 3, for the seven concentrations evaluated, AMA 1 obtained adsorption rates (99.69 to 99.98%) higher (p < 0. 05) than the other AMAs, which were from 82.97 to 88.72% (AMA 2) and from 79.43 to 89.32% (AMA 3). At pH 6, in concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 mg L-1 of AFB1, AMA 1 obtained higher (p < 0.05) adsorption results (97.86 to 99.86%) than AMA 2 (91.98 to 96.12%) and AMA 3 (87.56 to 93.50%). The Freundlich model best fitted the AMA 1 adsorption data. For the other additives, the Langmuir model obtained the best fit, demonstrating qm of 8.6 mg g-1 at pH 3 and 2.3 mg g-1 at pH 6 for AMA 2; and for AMA 3, with qm of 3.4 mg g-1 at pH 3 and 2.3 mg g-1 at pH 6. The isotherm models work as an effective tool to describe the adsorption process whereas the AMA adsorption capacity varies as a function of product composition, pH, and mycotoxin content.

A Magnetic Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application for High-Efficiency Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1

(1) Background: Safety problems associated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination have always been a major threat to human health. Removing AFB1 through adsorption is considered an attractive remediation technique. (2) Methods: To produce an adsorbent with a high AFB1 adsorption efficiency, a magnetic reduced graphene oxide composite (Fe3O4@rGO) was synthesized using one-step hydrothermal fabrication. Then, the adsorbent was characterized using a series of techniques, such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, VSM, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. Finally, the effects of this nanocomposite on the nutritional components of treated foods, such as vegetable oil and peanut milk, were also examined. (3) Results: The optimal synthesis conditions for Fe3O4@rGO were determined to be 200 °C for 6 h. The synthesis temperature significantly affected the adsorption properties of the prepared material due to its effect on the layered structure of graphene and the loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The results of various characterizations illustrated that the surface of Fe3O4@rGO had a two-dimensional layered nanostructure with many folds and that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were distributed uniformly on the surface of the composite material. Moreover, the results of isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic analyses indicated that the adsorption of AFB1 by Fe3O4@rGO conformed to the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 82.64 mg·g-1; the rapid and efficient adsorption of AFB1 occurred mainly through chemical adsorption via a spontaneous endothermic process. When applied to treat vegetable oil and peanut milk, the prepared material minimized the loss of nutrients and thus preserved food quality. (4) Conclusions: The above findings reveal a promising adsorbent, Fe3O4@rGO, with favorable properties for AFB1 adsorption and potential for food safety applications.

Ochratoxin A: Overview of Prevention, Removal, and Detoxification Methods

Ochratoxins are the secondary metabolites of Penicillium and Aspergillus, among which ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most toxic molecule. OTA is widely found in food and agricultural products. Due to its severe nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and teratogenic mutagenesis, it is essential to develop effective, economical, and environmentally friendly methods for OTA decontamination and detoxification. This review mainly summarizes the application of technology in OTA prevention, removal, and detoxification from physical, chemical, and biological aspects, depending on the properties of OTA, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of each method from an objective perspective. Overall, biological methods have the greatest potential to degrade OTA. This review provides some ideas for searching for new strains and degrading enzymes.

Polyurethane Foam as a Novel Material for Ochratoxin A Removal in Tea and Herbal Infusions-A Quantitative Approach

A novel solid-phase extraction methodology followed by UHPLC-MS/MS has been developed for Ochratoxin A (OTA) analysis in herbal infusions. For this purpose, a commercial polyurethane foam (PUF) was used as sorbent, and the experimental conditions were fully optimized. The strategy was satisfactory for reducing the matrix effect and allowed for OTA quantification in black tea and herbal infusions, with suitable recoveries and quantitation limits in agreement with those required by the maximum levels allowed by current regulations. The achieved results demonstrated the unprecedented use of polyurethane foam as an effective alternative for OTA retention and quantification in herbal infusions with the advantages of simple preparation, time saving, sustainability, and low cost for routine analysis.

Deoxynivalenol in food and feed: Recent advances in decontamination strategies

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin that contaminates animal feed and crops around the world. DON not only causes significant economic losses, but can also lead diarrhea, vomiting, and gastroenteritis in humans and farm animals. Thus, there is an urgent need to find efficient approaches for DON decontamination in feed and food. However, physical and chemical treatment of DON may affect the nutrients, safety, and palatability of food. By contrast, biological detoxification methods based on microbial strains or enzymes have the advantages of high specificity, efficiency, and no secondary pollution. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the recently developed strategies for DON detoxification and classify their mechanisms. In addition, we identify remaining challenges in DON biodegradation and suggest research directions to address them. In the future, an in-depth understanding of the specific mechanisms through which DON is detoxified will provide an efficient, safe, and economical means for the removal of toxins from food and feed.

Nanomaterials in food industry for the protection from mycotoxins: an update

The storage of food grains against the fungal infection has been a great challenge to the farmers, but nanotechnology provides a solution to address this problem. The application of nanotechnology for the storage of food grains replaces synthetic fungicides in agriculture. Inorganic nanoparticles such as silver and zinc oxide are well-known for their antifungal activity. Green synthesized nanoparticles show enhanced antimicrobial activity than the chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Extracts and essential oils derived from plants exhibit very good antifungal properties. The synthesized nanoparticles can be impregnated in packaging materials, which are used to store food grains. Natural materials are having advantages like non-toxicity and easier to degrade and are suitable for food safety. This overview discusses the nanomaterials-mediated protection of food materials from mycotoxin and its releases into the open environment.

Synergistic Effects of Probiotic Bifidobacterium Isolated from Chicken's Intestine in Combination with Polyvinylpyrrolidone on Reduction of Aflatoxin B1

Food contamination with aflatoxin is one of the most critical concerns of health professionals. One of the best ways to reduce aflatoxin content in food is probiotics. Therefore, this study was performed to isolate Bifidobacterium from the chick's intestine; evaluate its probiotic activities and its application with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to reduce aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁ ) in the medium were investigated. Samples were isolated from the chick's intestine, and Bifidobacterium was isolated and identified by biochemical and molecular methods. Next, the potential probiotic characterization was assessed. Afterward, the effect of selected isolate and PVP on reducing AFB₁ in the medium was studied using ELISA and HPLC. Biochemical and molecular evaluations indicated isolation of Bifidobacterium bifidum strain from chick's intestine. One of the B. bifidum strains was selected for the next steps, which showed potential probiotic characterization and the ability to reduce the concentration of AFB₁ in the medium (50% reduction). When used in combination with PVP showed synergistic effects in reducing the concentration of AFB₁ from the medium (up to 90%). In conclusion, it was found that selected B. bifidum strains and PVP could have synergistic effects in reducing AFB₁ toxin in a medium up to 90%.

The efficacy of clay bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles in the detoxification of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A from milk

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are highly toxic mycotoxin metabolites that are found as food pollutants, posing health risks to humans and animals. The objective of the current study is to establish a sensitive, reliable method for determining AFM₁ and OTA using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and attempting to assess the efficacy of bentonite, date pit, and chitosan nanoparticles for AFM₁ and OTA detoxification from contaminated milk. As revealed, AFM₁ was found in 65.7% of analyzed samples ranging from 4.5 to 502 ng/L, while 25.7% of examined samples contained OTA ranging from 1.45 to 301 ng/L. Furthermore, for AFM₁ and OTA. The advanced procedure was thoroughly validated by evaluating linearity (R² > 0.999), LOD (0.9615 and 0.654 ng/L), and LOQ (2.8846 and 1.963 ng/L), recovery (93-95% and 87-91%), as well as precision (≤ 1%RSD). The experimental data revealed a higher removal efficiency of bentonite and date pit than chitosan nanoparticles in the case of AFM₁ (68%, 56%, and 12%) and OTA (64%, 52%, and 10%), respectively with slight change in nutritional milk components like fat, protein, and lactose. Eventually, it is concluded that bentonite and date pit can be considered efficient adsorbing agents to extract AFM₁ and OTA from contaminated milk.

Electrostatic adsorption and removal mechanism of ochratoxin A in wine via a positively charged nano-MgO microporous ceramic membrane

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a very important mycotoxin. However, there are few studies on the removal of OTA in wine because of the great influence on product quality and difficulty in practical application. A nano-MgO-modified diatomite ceramic membrane (MCM) with a high positive charge was prepared and applied to remove OTA in wine. The isotherm adsorption between the positively charged membrane and OTA was in accordance with the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 806 ng/g at 25 °C. All of the changes in adsorption enthalpy (ΔH), adsorption free energy (ΔG) and adsorption entropy (ΔS) were negative, which indicated that the combination of nano-MgO MCM and OTA was a spontaneous exothermic and nonspecific physical adsorption process. The concentrations of OTA in adsorption-treated wines were lower than 2 μg/kg, and the removal rates exceeded 92%. After OTA removal, the composition of wines was preserved to some extent.

Evaluation of nano-silica, microwave heating, and ultraviolet irradiation effects on zearalenone detoxification in sunflower oils

In the present study, we report three methods of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) as adsorbent, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, and microwave heating and evaluate their capabilities in reducing and eliminating zearalenone (ZEN). The offered method not only was used for ZEN detoxification, but also greatly enhanced the sensitivity of ZEN measurement. The aim of this study was to evaluate ZEN concentration in sunflower oil samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. This method was successfully validated for sunflower oil samples while the limit of detection (LOD) method (signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1) was 0.5 μg/l. The acquired removal data with the HPLC method through SNPs were fitted well with Freundlich isotherm, denoting that the multi-layer adsorption took place on the adsorbent. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of ZEN was 61.02 μg/g in an optimum time of 240 min on SNPs. The experimental results were evaluated by the adsorption kinetic model, which specified the adsorption kinetics of ZEN on SNPs, obeying the pseudo-second order model. This model demonstrated that the sorption rate depended on the sorption capacity but not the concentration of the sorbate. Moreover, the method presented to determine ZEN based on the use of SNPs in sunflower oil was accomplished by the adsorption process. Furthermore, the removal efficiencies of ZEN by SNPs, UV irradiation, and microwave heating were compared and obtained to be 92.1, 96.22, and 37.30%, respectively for determined times. These results confirm the removal efficiency of these methods is sensitive enough to ZEN analysis in sunflower oil samples.

Ochratoxin A: Occurrence and recent advances in detoxification

Ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the most important mycotoxins, is mainly produced by fungi in the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, and commonly found in food and agricultural products. In addition to causing significant economic losses, the occurrence of OTA in foods poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is very important to develop approaches to control or detoxify OTA contamination and thus ensure food safety. In this paper, we review the source and occurrence of OTA in food and agricultural products and the latest achievements in the removal and detoxification of OTA using physical, chemical, and biological methods, with specific attention to influencing factors and mechanisms related to the biodetoxification of OTA. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and their potential application prospect were also discussed.

Invited review: Remediation strategies for mycotoxin control in feed

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of different species of fungi. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) are the main mycotoxins contaminating animal feedstuffs. These mycotoxins can primarily induce hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, consequently cause adverse effects on the health and performance of animals. Therefore, physical, chemical, biological and nutritional regulation approaches have been developed as primary strategies for the decontamination and detoxification of these mycotoxins in the feed industry. Meanwhile, each of these techniques has its drawbacks, including inefficient, costly, or impractically applied on large scale. This review summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the different remediation strategies, as well as updates of the research progress of these strategies for AFB1, DON, ZEN and FB1 control in the feed industry.

Synthesis of Rice Husk-Based MCM-41 for Removal of Aflatoxin B1 from Peanut Oil

Edible oils, especially peanut oil, usually contain aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) at extremely high concentrations. This study focused on the synthesis of rice husk-based mesoporous silica (MCM-41) for the removal of AFB₁ from peanut oil. MCM-41 was characterized by X-ray diffraction, N₂ physisorption, and transmission electron microscope. MCM-41 was shown to have ordered channels with high specific surface area (1246 m²/g), pore volume (1.75 cm³/g), and pore diameter (3.11 nm). Under the optimal concentration of 1.0 mg/mL of the adsorbent dose, the adsorption behavior of MCM-41, natural montmorillonite (MONT), and commercial activated carbon (CA) for AFB₁ were compared. The adsorption of AFB₁ in peanut oil onto the three adsorbents was slower compared to that of AFB₁ in an aqueous solution. In addition, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model better fit the adsorption kinetics of AFB_1, while the adsorption mechanism followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm on the three adsorbents. The calculated maximum adsorbed amounts of AFB₁ on MONT, MCM-41, and CA were 199.41, 215.93, and 248.93 ng/mg, respectively. These results suggested that MCM-41 without modification could meet market demand and could be considered a good candidate for the removal of AFB₁ from peanut oil. This study provides insights that could prove to be of economic and practical value.

Effective Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A Using Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanocomposite: Isotherm and Kinetic Study

One of the approaches for reducing exposure to mycotoxins is to lessen their bioavailability by applying nanocomposite adsorbents. Magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) is a new class of nanostructured multifunctional nanocomposite materials, which play a vital role as an adsorbent. The primary aim of this study is to apply response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the influence of pH within the range of 3 to 7, time (3–7 h), and temperature (30–50 °C), on the simultaneous detoxification of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) by using MGO. The optimal condition was obtained at pH 5, 5 h, and 40 °C. Further investigation of the adsorption evaluation was carried out by studying different parameters, such as the influence of contact time, initial mycotoxins concentration, and temperature. According to the experimental data, it can be concluded that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm fitted well. The capability of adsorption for the Freundlich model was calculated as 153 and 95 ng/g for AFB1 and OTA, respectively. The thermodynamic study showed that the sorption studies act spontaneously as an exothermic process. These findings suggest that the application of MGO as a nanocomposite is of great significance for the detoxification of mycotoxins.

Efficient Adsorption of Deoxynivalenol by Porous Carbon Prepared from Soybean Dreg

A novel porous carbon adsorbent for the removal of deoxynivalenol was prepared from soybean dreg (SD). The new material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, N2 adsorption/desorption measurement techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The specific surface area of the SDB-6-KOH was found to be 3655.95 m2 g-1, the pore volume was 1.936 cm3 g-1 and the average pore size was 2.125 nm. The high specific surface area and effective functional groups of the carbon material promoted the adsorption of deoxynivalenol. By comparing the adsorption effect of SDB-6-X prepared with different activators (X: KOH, K2CO3, KHCO3), SDB-6-KOH had the highest adsorption capacity. The maximum adsorption capacity of SDB-6-KOH to deoxynivalenol was 52.9877 µg mg-1, and the removal efficiency reached 88.31% at 318 K. The adsorption kinetic and isotherm data were suitable for pseudo-second-order and Langmuir equations, and the results of this study show that the novel carbon material has excellent adsorptive ability and, thus, offers effective practical application potential for the removal of deoxynivalenol.

Adsorptive removal of aflatoxin B1 from vegetable oils via novel adsorbents derived from a metal-organic framework

Vegetable oils are essential daily diet, but they are simply contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a serious toxic compound to human health. Adsorption method due to the easy operation, high efficiency and low costing is set to become a main detoxification technique for AFB₁. Unfortunately, previous reported adsorbents were rarely used for detoxification in food industry since they cannot meet the criteria of large-scale production of edible oils. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with unique textural properties could be favorable precursors for synthesis of advanced materials. In this research, three kinds of Cu-BTC MOF-derived porous materials were prepared by different carbonization temperature and characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques. Isotherm and kinetic studies on the adsorption behaviour of AFB₁ onto the three porous carbonaceous materials have been systematically conducted. The results revealed that the porous carbonaceous materials could act as the excellent adsorbents that were of enough adsorption sites for AFB₁, mainly due to the hierarchical porous structure and large surface areas for the enhancement of adsorption capacity. Notably, the porous carbonaceous materials could not only remove more than 90% of AFB₁ from real vegetable oils within 30 min, but also remain the treated oils at low cytotoxicity. Meanwhile, the detoxification process could little affect the quality of oils. Thus, the Cu-BTC MOF-derived porous carbonaceous materials with high efficiency, safe, practical and economic characteristics could be novel potential adsorbents used in the application of AFB₁ removal from contaminated vegetable oils.

Research progress on the protection and detoxification of phytochemicals against aflatoxin B1-Induced liver toxicity

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a potent hepatotoxic toxin, which can cause hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver immunological damage. It has been involved in the etiology of human hepatocellular carcinoma. AFB₁ can cause oxidative stress in the body's metabolism process, and then cause cytotoxicity, such as apoptosis and DNA damage. Scientific research has discovered that phytochemicals can induce the detoxification pathway of AFB₁ through its biotransformation, thereby reducing the damage of AFB₁ to the human body. In clinical treatment, certain phytochemicals have been effectively used in the treatment of liver injury due to the advantages of multiple targets, multiple pathways, low toxicity and side effects. Therefore, the article summarizes the toxic mechanism of AFB₁-induced hepatoxicity, and the related research progress of phytochemicals for preventing and treating its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. We also look forward to the existing problems and application prospects of phytochemicals in the pharmaceutical industry, in order to provide theoretical reference for the prevention and treatment of AFB₁ poisoning in future research work.

Development of an in vitro gastro-intestinal pig model to screen potential detoxifying agents for the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a type B trichothecene mycotoxin with worldwide high incidence in feed which is produced by Fusarium species. Strategies are needed to eliminate its health risk for livestock and to minimise its economic impact on production. In order to assess the efficacy of potential physical, chemical and biological DON detoxifying agents, a good in vitro model is necessary to perform a fast and high-throughput screening of new compounds before in vivo trials are set up. In this paper, an in vitro model was developed to screen potential commercial products for DON degradation and detoxification. Contaminated feed with potential detoxifying agents are first applied to a simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a pig, after which detoxification is assessed through a robust, inexpensive and readily applicable Lemna minor L. aquatic plant bioassay which enables evaluation of the residual toxicity of possible metabolites formed by DON detoxifying agents. The GIT simulation enables taking matrix and incubation parameters into account as they can affect the binding, removal or degradation of DON. One product could reduce DON in feed in the GIT model for almost 100% after 6 h. DON metabolites were tentatively identified with LC-MS/MS. This GIT simulation coupled to a detoxification bioassay is a valuable model for in vitro screening and assessing compounds for DON detoxification, and could be expanded towards other mycotoxins.

Development of a three-compartment toxicokinetic model for T-2 toxin in shrimp by blindfold particle swarm optimization algorithm

Tricothecenes-2 toxin (T-2) is a major mycotoxin that is widely distributed in aquatic feeds and poses a huge challenge to the aquatic industry, but there is scant information on the toxicokinetics of T-2 in aquatic animals. Here, we describe the development of a three-compartment toxicokinetic model for the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) of T-2 in shrimp. The three compartments were central (the hemolymph), slow metabolizing and fast metabolizing compartments to account for the varying ADME rates of T-2 in different shrimp organs. The toxicokinetic model was solved by the blindfold particle swarm optimization algorithm, and the values for the model equation parameters were obtained by applying the experimental data of T-2 concentrations in shrimp. The model had a good fit with the experimental data. It was revealed through the model that after i.m. administration, T-2 was rapidly absorbed into the hemolymph and distributed into shrimp organs. The hepatopancreas and intestine belonged to the fast and muscle to the slow metabolizing compartments, respectively, while the hemolymph had no capacity to metabolize T-2. The T-2 elimination rates in the hepatopancreas and intestine were similar and quite high while that in the muscle was very low. The methods used in developing and solving the model could be used for similar toxicokinetic and pharmacokinetic studies of other animals.

Aptamer-Target-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates for the Quantification of Fumonisin B1

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin classified as group 2B hazard, is of high importance due to its abundance and occurrence in varied crops. Conventional methods for detection are sensitive and selective; however, they also convey disadvantages such as long assay times, expensive equipment and instrumentation, complex procedures, sample pretreatment and unfeasibility for on-site analysis. Therefore, there is a need for quick, simple and affordable quantification methods. On that note, aptamers (ssDNA) are a good alternative for designing specific and sensitive biosensing techniques. In this work, the assessment of the performance of two aptamers (40 and 96 nt) on the colorimetric quantification of FB1 was determined by conducting an aptamer-target incubation step, followed by the addition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and NaCl. Although MgCl₂ and Tris-HCl were, respectively, essential for aptamer 96 and 40 nt, the latter was not specific for FB1. Alternatively, the formation of Aptamer (96 nt)-FB1-AuNP conjugates in MgCl₂ exhibited stabilization to NaCl-induced aggregation at increasing FB1 concentrations. The application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) allowed their size separation and characterization by a multidetection system (UV-VIS, MALS and DLS online), with a reduction in the limit of detection from 0.002 µg/mL to 56 fg/mL.

Assessment of Food By-Products' Potential for Simultaneous Binding of Aflatoxin B1 and Zearalenone

In this study, eight food by-products were investigated as biosorbent approaches in removing mycotoxin load towards potential dietary inclusion in animal feed. Among these food-derived by-products, grape seed (GSM) and seabuckthorn (SBM) meals showed the most promising binding capacity for Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Zearalenone (ZEA), measured as percent of adsorbed mycotoxin. Furthermore, we explored the mycotoxin sequestering potential by screening the effect of time, concentration, temperature and pH. Comparative binding efficacy was addressed by carrying out adsorption experiments in vitro. The highest mycotoxin adsorption was attained using 30 mg of by-product for both GSM (85.9% AFB1 and 83.7% ZEA) and SBM (68% AFB1 and 84.5% ZEA). Optimal settings for the experimental factors were predicted employing the response surface design. GSM was estimated to adsorb AFB1 optimally at a concentration of 29 mg/mL, pH 5.95 and 33.6 °C, and ZEA using 28 mg/mL at pH 5.76 and 31.7 °C. Favorable adsorption of AFB1 was estimated at 37.5 mg of SBM (pH 8.1; 35.6 °C), and of ZEA at 30.2 mg of SBM (pH 5.6; 29.3 °C). Overall, GSM revealed a higher binding capacity compared with SBM. In addition, the two by-products showed different specificity for the binary-mycotoxin system, with SBM having higher affinity towards ZEA than AFB1 (Kf = 0.418 and 1/n = 0.213 vs. Kf = 0.217 and 1/n = 0.341) and GSM for AFB1 in comparison with ZEA (Kf = 0.367 and 1/n = 0.248 vs. Kf = 0.343 and 1/n = 0.264). In conclusion, this study suggests that GSM and SBM represent viable alternatives to commercial biosorbent products.

Reduction in Spoilage Microbiota and Cyclopiazonic Acid Mycotoxin with Chestnut Extract Enriched Chitosan Packaging: Stability of Inoculated Gouda Cheese

Active chitosan-based films, blended with fibrous chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) tannin-rich extract were used to pack Gouda cheese that has been contaminated with spoilage microflora Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, and fungi Penicillium commune. A comprehensive experimental plan including active chitosan-based films with (i) chestnut extract (CE), (ii) tannic acid (TA), and (iii) without additives was applied to evaluate the film's effect on induced microbiological spoilage reduction and chemical indices of commercial Gouda cheese during 37 days while stored at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The cheese underwent microbiology analysis and chemical assessments of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) (cyclopiazonic acid), pH, and moisture content. The biopackaging used for packing cheese was characterized by mechanical properties before food packaging and analyzed with the same chemical analysis. The cheese microbiology showed that the bacterial counts were most efficiently decreased by the film without additives. However, active films with CE and TA were more effective as they did not break down around the cheese and showed protective properties against mycotoxin, moisture loss, and pH changes. Films themselves, when next to high-fat content food, changed their pH to less acidic, acted as absorbers, and degraded without plant-derived additives.

Adsorption of deoxynivalenol by pillared montmorillonite

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is found widely in foods and feeds that are contaminated with mildew and is one of the most harmful mycotoxins, threating not only human health but also impacting animal husbandry. Various physical, chemical and biological detoxification strategies have been applied in the past to reduce mycotoxin contamination. As a practical and economic method, addition of montmorillonite (Mt) offers the potential to eliminate mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁) and zearalenone (ZEA). Our study aimed to control DON, for the first time, using environmentally friendly Mt, modified with aluminum, iron and titanium via a pillaring effect to enlarge interlayer spacing. The materials were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDS and BET. Spacing of the pillared Mt layers was shown to exceed that of raw Mt and could be tuned using the pillaring reagents (Al, Fe and Ti, 0.01 to 2.00 eq. relative to the cation exchange capacity of Mt). Adsorption of DON by pillared Mt was investigated using UPLC-MSMS (at pH 2.0 and 6.8). The results demonstrated that the adsorption ratios of 1.00-Al-Mt, 0.50-Fe-Mt and 1.00-Ti-Mt were 23.6%, 14.7% and 23.4%, respectively at pH 2.0 and 27.1%, 21.8%, and 27.4% correspondingly at pH 6.8 when added at 1.0 mg, which is 3-4 times higher than raw Mt (6.3-6.8% at pH 2.0 and 7.3-8.1% at pH 6.8). It was also found that with increased addition of pillared Mt (2.5 mg), the adsorption ratio approached 35%. The time for reaching equilibrium was approximately 120 min. These results demonstrated that Mt after pillaring modifications with Al, Fe and Ti can have potential for the control of DON in foods and feeds.

Functionalized nanoflower-like hydroxyl magnesium silicate for effective adsorption of aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is widely found in food and feed, poses a serious threat to the health of human and livestock. In this work, functionalized nanoflower-like hydroxyl magnesium silicate (FNHMS) was synthesized for adsorption of AFB1. First, bulk magnesium silicate (MS) was converted into nanoflower-like hydroxyl magnesium silicate (NHMS) by hydroxylation. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) modification then enhanced the hydrophobicity and the affinity to AFB1 of NHMS. The adsorption performance for AFB1 followed the order of MS < NHMS < FNHMS, and the adsorption performance increased with the increase of the dose of CTMAB. Isothermal adsorption analysis indicated that the surface of FNHMS was heterogeneous. The adsorption capacity of FNHMS-0.4 to AFB1 was estimated to be 27.34 mg g^-1 and 28.61 mg g^-1 by Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm adsorption model, respectively. By analyzing the adsorption kinetics and adsorption thermodynamics, both physical adsorption and chemisorption existed in the process of AFB1 being adsorbed on FNHMS-0.4. Adsorption mechanisms analysis indicated that the adsorption followed the adsorption site priority of H > O > Mg. This work demonstrates that FNHMS could be a promising adsorbent for removal of AFB1.

Investigations on organo-montmorillonites modified by binary nonionic/zwitterionic surfactant mixtures for simultaneous adsorption of aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone

To solve the problem of simultaneous adsorption of polar and weak polar mycotoxins, organo-montmorillonites modified by binary surfactant mixtures (NZMts), including polyoxyethylene ether (OP-10) and lauramidopropyl betaine (LAB-35), were synthesized for the simultaneous removal of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and zearalenone (ZER). The microstructure, interface and pore structure characteristics of NZMts were investigated through different technologies. The results show that the obtained NZMts modified by binary surfactant mixtures have different structural configurations, higher carbon content and stronger hydrophobicity compared with organo-montmorillonites modified by single surfactant. More importantly, the obtained adsorbents show significant improvements on the detoxification efficiency of both AFB₁ and ZER. The pH has less effect on the adsorption of NZMts compared with the control samples modified by single surfactant, suggesting that NZMts are more stable in different pH environments. In addition, the adsorption mechanisms of NZMts to AFB₁ and ZER were proposed based on the characterizations and adsorption isotherms. It is indicated that NZMts combines with AFB₁ mainly through the hydrophobic interaction and ion dipole action, while with ZER mainly through hydrophobic interaction. The as-received NZMts with more hydrophobic property effectively enhance the adsorption capacities of weak polar and non-polar mycotoxins, providing a new orientation for multifunctional mycotoxin adsorbents.

Efficient and Simultaneous Chitosan-Mediated Removal of 11 Mycotoxins from Palm Kernel Cake

Mycotoxins are an important class of pollutants that are toxic and hazardous to animal and human health. Consequently, various methods have been explored to abate their effects, among which adsorbent has found prominent application. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has recently been applied for the concurrent evaluation of multiple mycotoxins. This study investigated the optimization of the simultaneous removal of mycotoxins in palm kernel cake (PKC) using chitosan. The removal of 11 mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) and trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2 and T-2 toxin) from palm kernel cake (PKC) was studied. The effects of operating parameters such as pH (3–6), temperature (30–50 °C) and time (4–8 h) on the removal of the mycotoxins were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Response surface models obtained with R² values ranging from 0.89–0.98 fitted well with the experimental data, except for the trichothecenes. The optimum point was obtained at pH 4, 8 h and 35 °C. The maximum removal achieved with chitosan for AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁, AFG₂, OTA, ZEA, FB₁ and FB₂ under the optimized conditions were 94.35, 45.90, 82.11, 84.29, 90.03, 51.30, 90.53 and 90.18%, respectively.

A Sustainable Graphene Aerogel Capable of the Adsorptive Elimination of Biogenic Amines and Bacteria from Soy Sauce and Highly Efficient Cell Proliferation

A graphene aerogel (GA) with a three-dimensional (3D) structure, ultra-lightweight nature, and high hydrophobicity was simply fabricated by the one-step pyrolysis of glucose and ammonium chloride. The as-synthesized GA exhibited a 3D interconnected microporous architecture with a high surface area of ∼2860 m² g^-1 and pore volume of 2.24 cm³ g^-1. The hydrophobic GA (10 mg 100 mL^-1) demonstrated rapid and excellent adsorption performance for the removal of food toxins such as various biogenic amines (histamine, cadaverine, and spermine) and the hazardous bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (a food contaminant and a cause of poor wound healing) from a liquid matrix with a maximum simultaneous adsorption capacity for multiple biogenic amines of >85.19% (histamine), 74.1% (cadaverine), and 70.11% (spermidine) and a 100% reduction in the viable cell count of S. aureus within 80 min of interaction. The outstanding adsorption capacity can be attributed to a highly interconnected porous network in the 3D architecture and a high surface-to-volume ratio. A case study using soy sauce spiked with multiple biogenic amines showed successful removal of toxins with excellent recyclability without any loss in absorption performance. Biocompatibility of the GA in terms of cell viability was observed even at high concentrations (83.46% and 75.28% at 25 and 50 mg mL^-1, respectively). Confirmatory biocompatibility testing was conducted via live/dead cell evaluation, and the morphology of normal lung epithelial cells was examined via scanning electron microscopy showed no cellular shrinkage. Moreover, GA showed excellent removal of live colonies of S. aureus from the food matrix and immunoblotting analysis showed elevated protein expression levels of β-catenin and α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin). The biocompatible sugar-based GA could simultaneously adsorb multiple biogenic amines and live bacteria and was easy to regenerate via simple separation due to its high floatability, hydrophobicity, surface area, and porosity without any structural and functional loss, making it especially relevant for food safety and biomedical applications.

Ochratoxin A reduction by peroxidase in a model system and grape juice

This study aimed at evaluating the potential of the peroxidase (PO) enzyme to reduce ochratoxin A (OTA) levels and its application to grape juice. Both commercial PO and PO extracted from rice bran were evaluated, respectively, regarding their activity towards OTA in a model system. The affinity between PO and OTA was verified by the Michaelis-Menton constant and the maximum velocity parameters, resulting in 0.27 μM and 0.015 μM min^-1 for the commercial enzyme, and 6.5 μM and 0.031 μM min^-1 for PO extracted from rice bran, respectively. The lowest residual OTA levels occurred when 0.063 U mL^-1 of the enzyme was applied. Under these conditions, the OTA reduction was 41% in 5 h for the commercial enzyme, and 59% in 24 h, for PO extracted from rice bran. When the extracted PO, with the activity of 0.063 U mL^-1, was applied to whole grape juice, the OTA levels decreased to 17%, at 24 h. The capacity shown by PO for reducing OTA levels was confirmed in whole white grape juice, as a model system. This study may assist the wine industry to offer healthier products and add value to rice bran. Graphical abstract.

Biosorptive detoxification of zearalenone biotoxin by surface-modified renewable biomass: process dynamics and application

BACKGROUND

Contamination of food, feed, beverages and even drinking water with biotoxins is a growing global concern because of their potential health risks. In this work, surface-modified sugar beet pulp waste was used for the biosorptive removal of zearalenone biotoxin from contaminated aquatic media.

RESULTS

Infrared, Boehm titration, BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area and point of zero charge analysis were employed for surface characterization. Kinetic and equilibrium studies showed that biotoxin biosorption was well predicted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. Zearalenone was removed from the solution over a wide pH range (3.0-8.0) and within a short time (15 min). Maximum uptake capacity of modified biomass was recorded as 23.30 ± 0.17 g kg^-1 . Highest removal yield in a dynamic flow mode (94.56 ± 0.13%) was achieved at 2 mL min^-1 flow rate using 30 mg biosorbent. Regeneration experiments revealed high reusability potential of suggested biosorbent. Moreover, its application potential was tested in spiked samples of malt, beer and canned corn liquid.

CONCLUSION

Detoxification potential of this renewable biomass was significantly enhanced after modification. Modified biomass could be used as an efficient and low-cost green-type material with good application potential for zearalenone detoxification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nanoparticles as a Solution for Eliminating the Risk of Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. The occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feed causes negative health impacts on both humans and animals. Clay binders, yeast cell walls, or antioxidant additives are the most widely used products for mycotoxin elimination to reduce their impact. Although conventional methods are constantly improving, current research trends are looking for innovative solutions. Nanotechnology approaches seem to be a promising, effective, and low-cost way to minimize the health effects of mycotoxins. This review aims to shed light on the critical knowledge gap in mycotoxin elimination by nanotechnology. There are three main strategies: mold inhibition, mycotoxin adsorption, and reducing the toxic effect via nanoparticles. One of the most promising methods is the use of carbon-based nanomaterials. Graphene has been shown to have a huge surface and high binding capacity for mycotoxins. Attention has also been drawn to polymeric nanoparticles; they could substitute adsorbents or enclose any substance, which would improve the health status of the organism. In light of these findings, this review gives new insights into possible future research that might overcome challenges associated with nanotechnology utilization for mycotoxin elimination from agricultural products.

A Novel Adsorbent Magnetic Graphene Oxide Modified with Chitosan for the Simultaneous Reduction of Mycotoxins

A novel magnetic graphene oxide modified with chitosan (MGO-CTS) was synthesised as an adsorbent aimed to examine the simultaneous removal of mycotoxins. The composite was characterised by various procedures, namely Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption evaluation was considered via pH effects, initial mycotoxin concentration, adsorption time and temperature. Adsorption isotherm data and kinetics experiments were acquired at the optimum pH 5 fit Freundlich isotherm as well as pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The thermodynamic results indicated that the adsorption of the mycotoxins was spontaneous, endothermic and favourable.

Zearalenone reduction by commercial peroxidase enzyme and peroxidases from soybean bran and rice bran

The peroxidase (POD) enzyme, obtained from different sources, has been described in the literature regarding its good results of reduction in concentration or degradation levels of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone (ZEA). This study aimed at evaluating the action of commercial POD and POD from soybean bran (SB) and rice bran (RB) in ZEA reduction in a model solution and the characterisation of the mechanism of enzyme action. POD was extracted from SB and RB in phosphate buffer by orbital agitation. Evaluation of the action of commercial POD and POD from SB and RB in ZEA reduction was carried out in phosphate buffer and aqueous solution, respectively. Parameters of (Michaelis-Menten constant) (KM) and maximal rate (Vmax) were determined in the concentration range from 0.16 to 6 µg mL-1. ZEA reduction was determined and the mechanism of enzyme action was characterised by FTIR and high-pressure liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Commercial POD and POD from RB and SB reduced ZEA concentration by 69.9%, 47.4% and 30.6% in 24 h, respectively. KM values were 39.61 and 8.90 µM, whereas Vmax values were 0.170 and 0.011 µM min-1 for commercial POD and POD from RB, respectively. The characterisation of the mechanism of enzyme action showed the oxidoreductive action of commercial POD in the mycotoxin. The use of commercial POD and POD from agro-industrial by-products, such as SB and RB, could be a promising alternative for ZEA biodegradation.