Mycoflora and fumonisin mycotoxins associated with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] seeds

Fumonisins in African Countries

Maize and other cereals are the commodities most contaminated with fumonisins. The maize acreage is increasing in Africa, and the maize harvest provides important foods for humans and feeds for domestic animals throughout the continent. In North Africa, high levels of fumonisins have been reported from Algeria and Morocco, while low levels have been detected in the rather few fumonisin analyses reported from Tunisia and Egypt. The West African countries Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria all report high levels of fumonisin contamination of maize, while the few maize samples analysed in Togo contain low levels. In Eastern Africa, high levels of fumonisin contamination have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The samples analysed from Rwanda contained low levels of fumonisins. Analysis of maize from the Southern African countries Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe revealed high fumonisin levels, while low levels of fumonisins were detected in the few analyses of maize from Botswana and Mozambique.

Fungi and mycotoxins in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L) on Nigerian markets

In this study, 81 samples of two cowpea varieties (brown: 54; white: 27) collected from various markets in southwestern Nigeria were examined for fungal and mycotoxin contamination. Moulds belonging to Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium were recovered from 99% of the samples. In both cowpea varieties, Aspergillus (52-53%) dominated Fusarium (29-30%) and Penicillium (17-20%). The interactive effect of cowpea variety and sampled location was significant (p = .013) on the occurrence of Fusarium species. Aflatoxins were detected in one brown and two white cowpea samples at concentrations reaching 209 and 84 µg/kg, respectively. Additionally, beauvericin was found in two samples of each cowpea variety, albeit at low concentrations. Cowpea presents as an alternative vegetable protein source to groundnuts in household nutrition with respect to mycotoxin contamination. Simple techniques to prevent mycotoxins in dry cowpeas are discussed.

Use of a bio-wipe kit to detect fumonisin B₁ in faecal materials

Fusarium toxins with reference to fumonisin B1 (FB1) have long been regarded as contaminants of maize and maize-based related products. However, when consumed they can cause intoxication, especially in humans. Therefore, effective quantitative methods for assessing the dietary exposure of this toxic fungal metabolite are required. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect on the use of a bio-wipe kit, which is a faecal material collection kit, to detect the presence of FB1. Faecal materials were collected from a rural farming community in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In total, 200 samples of faecal material were analysed for Fusarium species using a serial dilution method, while FB1 was further analysed and quantified by reversed-phase TLC and HPLC. The study showed the presence of 11 different Fusarium species grown on potato dextrose agar culture medium of which F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, producers of FB1, and F. oxysporum were the dominant species. Fumonisin B1 was recorded at an incidence rate of 65% of the total using TLC. Results from HPLC showed that 84% were positive at different ranges of concentration for FB1. This study supports the use of a bio-wipe as a rapid method to determine human exposure to FB1.

Determination of fumonisins B₁ and B₂ in Chinese rice wine by HPLC using AQC precolumn derivatisation

BACKGROUND

Fumonisins are a group of naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by various Fusarium species that commonly infect maize and other cereals, including sorghum and rice. In this study a sensitive and selective method was developed for the determination of fumonisins B₁ and B₂ (FB₁ and FB₂) in Chinese rice wine. The method is based on high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection following precolumn derivatisation with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC).

RESULTS

FB₁ and FB₂ in Chinese rice wine were extracted and purified using strong anion exchange cartridges and derivatised with AQC at room temperature. The AQC derivatives were stable for 5 days. Optimal fluorescence was obtained at an excitation wavelength of 246 nm and an emission wavelength of 390 nm. Chromatography was performed using a C18 column and gradient elution at 1 mL min⁻¹ with methanol and 0.05 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer at pH 4. The limit of detection was 6 µg L⁻¹ for both FB₁ and FB₂. The method was successfully applied to the determination of FB₁ and FB₂ in Chinese rice wine, with recoveries of 87.5-94.5% being obtained.

CONCLUSION

The established method was stable and sensitive for the determination of FB₁ and FB₂ in Chinese rice wine.

Limited surveillance of fumonisins in brown rice and wheat harvested in Japan

Fumonisins are mycotoxins mainly produced by Fusarium verticillioides, which is a major contaminant of corn. However, there are sporadic reports of fumonisin contamination in wheat worldwide. The rice adherent fungus Gibberella fujikuroi is taxonomically closely related to F. verticillioides. Therefore, the potential risk of fumonisin contamination in rice and wheat is significant. Previously, a sensitive detection method utilizing liquid chromatography with tandem electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS-MS) was developed for the determination of fumonisins in brown rice. In the present study, the incidence of fumonisins in brown rice and wheat harvested in Japan was investigated using LC-ESI-MS-MS. Forty-eight rice samples and 47 wheat samples were screened and analyzed for the major B-type fumonisins: fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2). About 1 kg of rice or wheat seed was divided into three subsamples, and 10 g from each subsample was used for the analysis. The limits of detection were 0.012 and 0.011 mg/kg for FBt and FB2, respectively, in rice samples and 0.010 and 0.008 mg/kg for FB1 and FB2, respectively, in wheat samples. The mean (standard deviation) recoveries of FB1 spiked at 0.50 mg/kg into toxin-free rice and wheat samples were 77.6 (4.2)% and 84.5 (3.1)%, respectively. One of the wheat samples was positive for FBt with a value greater than the limit of detection,but no fumonisin was found in any of the rice samples. This is the first report of fumonisins detected in Japanese wheat.

Maternal fumonisin exposure as a risk factor for neural tube defects

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by the fungus F. verticillioides, a common contaminant of maize (corn) worldwide. Maternal consumption of fumonisin B(1)-contaminated maize during early pregnancy has recently been associated with increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) in human populations that rely heavily on maize as a dietary staple. Experimental administration of purified fumonisin to mice early in gestation also results in an increased incidence of NTDs in exposed offspring. Fumonisin inhibits the enzyme ceramide synthase in de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis, resulting in an elevation of free sphingoid bases and depletion of downstream glycosphingolipids. Increased sphingoid base metabolites (i.e., sphinganine-1-phosphate) may perturb signaling cascades involved in embryonic morphogenesis by functioning as ligands for sphingosine-1-P (S1P) receptors, a family of G-protein-coupled receptors that regulate key biological processes such as cell survival/proliferation, differentiation and migration. Fumonisin-induced depletion of glycosphingolipids impairs expression and function of the GPI-anchored folate receptor (Folr1), which may also contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. NTDs appear to be multifactorial in origin, involving complex gene-nutrient-environment interactions. Vitamin supplements containing folic acid have been shown to reduce the occurrence of NTDs, and may help protect the developing fetus from environmental teratogens. Fumonisins appear to be an environmental risk factor for birth defects, although other aspects of maternal nutrition and genetics play interactive roles in determining pregnancy outcome. Minimizing exposures to mycotoxins through enhanced agricultural practices, identifying biomarkers of exposure, characterizing mechanisms of toxicity, and improving maternal nutrition are all important strategies for reducing the NTD burden in susceptible human populations.

Fumonisin concentrations and in vivo toxicity of nixtamalized Fusarium verticillioides culture material: evidence for fumonisin-matrix interactions

The toxic potential of nixtamalized foods can be underestimated if, during cooking, reversible fumonisin-food matrix interactions reduce the amount of mycotoxin that is detected but not the amount that is bioavailable. Fusarium verticillioides culture material (CM) was nixtamalized as is (NCM) or after mixing with ground corn (NCMC). Additional portions were sham nixtamalized without (SCM) or with corn (SCMC). Nixtamalization and sham nixtamalization reduced FB(1); CM, NCM, and SCM diets contained 9.08, 2.08, and 1.19 ppm, respectively. FB(1) was further reduced in the NCMC (0.49 ppm) but not the SCMC (1.01 ppm) diets compared to their NCM and SCM counterparts. Equivalent weights of the cooked products, uncooked CM, corn (UC) or nixtamalized UC (NUC) were fed to rats for up to three weeks. Kidney lesions in the NCM-fed group were less severe than in the CM-fed, positive control group and no lesions were found in the NCMC and other groups. Group kidney sphinganine (biomarker of fumonisin exposure) concentrations decreased in the order: CM (absolute concentration (nmol/g)=600-800)>NCM (400-600)>SCM and SCMC (30-90)>NCMC, UC and NUC (<8). Together, these results suggest that mycotoxin-corn matrix interactions during nixtamalization reduce the bioavailability and toxicity of FB(1).

Chemiluminescent and bioluminescent assays as innovative prospects for mycotoxin determination in food and feed

Mycotoxin contamination of food and feedstuffs is among the top priorities for human and animal safety. The currently used techniques for mycotoxin determination, either chromatography or ELISA, are unsuitable for routine in-field assessment. There is an urgent need for other accurate, simple and cost-effective techniques that can be used as a screening tool for a rapid estimation of mycotoxin contamination in commodity lots. This paper reviews the literature on the use of chemiluminescence (CL) and bioluminescence (BL) assays for direct or indirect mycotoxin assessment. The chemiluminescence immunoassays, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence and bioassays are reviewed and their advantages and limitations discussed. These techniques used in food testing and the pharmaceutical industry offer promise as rapid techniques for mycotoxin determination. Chemiluminescence and bioluminescence bioassays are the most innovative alternatives to the conventional techniques used for mycotoxin determination in food and feed.