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Gao L, Yang H, Lu Y, Chen S, He L, Liu J. Fabrication of a magnetic functionalized chitosan hydrogel for effective extraction of aflatoxins from cereals. Food Chem 2024; 458:140215. [PMID: 38944928 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
A magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by coupling magnetic nanoparticles, UiO-66-NH2 and 1-butyl-trimethylimidazole bromide ([BMIM][Br]) to chitosan (CS)-based composite conveniently. A series of modern characterizations were employed to assess its properties. The results showed that UiO-66-NH2 was uniformly distributed within the composite via in-situ growth, which can enhance the porosity obviously. The introduction of various ligands enables the composite to exhibit excellent extraction performance for four aflatoxins (AFs) through multiple interactions. The adsorption mechanism was elucidated and the main factors affecting extraction efficiency were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.08 to 0.56 μg/kg. The established method was successfully utilized to determine AFs from cereal samples (rice, glutinous rice, wheat, soybean, paddy, and corn) with satisfactory recovery of 77% ∼ 119% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.0% ∼ 11.7% (n = 5). The adsorbent demonstrated sufficient robustness for repeated use at least six times without obvious damage of extraction property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huan Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yitong Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Chen
- School of Food and Strategic Reserves, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
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2
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Gachara G, Suleiman R, Kilima B, Taoussi M, El Kadili S, Fauconnier ML, Barka EA, Vujanovic V, Lahlali R. Pre- and post-harvest aflatoxin contamination and management strategies of Aspergillus spoilage in East African Community maize: review of etiology and climatic susceptibility. Mycotoxin Res 2024; 40:495-517. [PMID: 39264500 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-024-00555-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Globally, maize (Zea mays L.) is deemed an important cereal that serves as a staple food and feed for humans and animals, respectively. Across the East African Community, maize is the staple food responsible for providing over one-third of calories in diets. Ideally, stored maize functions as man-made grain ecosystems, with nutritive quality changes influenced predominantly by chemical, biological, and physical factors. Food spoilage and fungal contamination are convergent reasons that contribute to the exacerbation of mycotoxins prevalence, particularly when storage conditions have deteriorated. In Kenya, aflatoxins are known to be endemic with the 2004 acute aflatoxicosis outbreak being described as one of the most ravaging epidemics in the history of human mycotoxin poisoning. In Tanzania, the worst aflatoxin outbreak occurred in 2016 with case fatalities reaching 50%. Similar cases of aflatoxicoses have also been reported in Uganda, scenarios that depict the severity of mycotoxin contamination across this region. Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan seemingly have minimal occurrences and fatalities of aflatoxicoses and aflatoxin contamination. Low diet diversity tends to aggravate human exposure to aflatoxins since maize, as a dietetic staple, is highly aflatoxin-prone. In light of this, it becomes imperative to formulate and develop workable control frameworks that can be embraced in minimizing aflatoxin contamination throughout the food chain. This review evaluates the scope and magnitude of aflatoxin contamination in post-harvest maize and climate susceptibility within an East African Community context. The paper also treats the potential green control strategies against Aspergillus spoilage including biocontrol-prophylactic handling for better and durable maize production.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gachara
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco.
- Department of AgroBiosciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - R Suleiman
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - B Kilima
- Department of Food Sciences and Agro-Processing, School of Engineering and Technology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - M Taoussi
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco
- Environment and Valorization of Microbial and Plant Resources Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknès, Morocco
| | - S El Kadili
- Department of Animal Production, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknes, Morocco
| | - M L Fauconnier
- Gembloux AgroBiotech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - E A Barka
- Unité de Recherche Résistance Induite et Bio-Protection des Plantes-EA 4707, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, 51100, Reims, France
| | - V Vujanovic
- Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - R Lahlali
- Department of Plant Protection, Phytopathology Unit, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknès, Km 10, Route Haj Kaddour, BP S/40, 50001, Meknès, Morocco.
- Department of AgroBiosciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco.
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Anyogu A, Somorin YM, Oladipo AO, Raheem S. Food safety issues associated with sesame seed value chains: Current status and future perspectives. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36347. [PMID: 39253262 PMCID: PMC11381738 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is an oilseed crop which is increasingly recognised as a functional food by consumers due to its nutritional and nutraceutical components. Consequently, global demand for sesame has increased significantly over the last three decades. Sesame is an important export crop in producing countries, contributing to their socio-economic development. However, in recent years, major foodborne incidents have been associated with imported sesame seeds and products made with these seeds. Foodborne hazards are a potential risk to consumer health and hinder international trade due to border rejections and increased import controls. An insight into the routes of contamination of these hazards across the value chain and factors affecting persistence may lead to more focused intervention and prevention strategies. It was observed that Salmonella is a significant microbial hazard in imported sesame seeds and has been associated with several global outbreaks. Sesame is mainly cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia by smallholder farmers. Agricultural and manufacturing practices during harvesting, storage, and processing before export may allow for the contamination of sesame seeds with Salmonella. However, only a few studies collect data on the microbiological quality of sesame across the value chain in producing countries. In addition, the presence of mycotoxins and pesticides above regulatory limits in sesame seeds is a growing concern. Eliminating foodborne hazards in the sesame value chain requires urgent attention from researchers, producers, processors, and regulators and suggestions for improving the safety of these foods are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarachukwu Anyogu
- Food Safety and Security, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, London, W5 5RF, United Kingdom
| | - Yinka M Somorin
- University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological Science, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria
| | - Abigail Oluseye Oladipo
- Food Safety and Security, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of West London, London, W5 5RF, United Kingdom
| | - Saki Raheem
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1W 6UW, United Kingdom
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Arce-López B, Coton M, Coton E, Hymery N. Occurrence of the two major regulated mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1, in cereal and cereal-based products in Europe and toxicological effects: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 109:104489. [PMID: 38844151 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Among cereal contaminants, mycotoxins are of concern due to their importance in terms of food and feed safety. The difficulty in establishing a diagnosis for mycotoxicosis relies on the fact that the effects are most often subclinical for chronic exposure and the most common scenario is multi-contamination by various toxins. Mycotoxin co-occurrence is a major food safety concern as additive or even synergic toxic impacts may occur, but also regarding current regulations as they mainly concern individual mycotoxin levels in specific foods and feed in the food chain. However, due to the large number of possible mycotoxin combinations, there is still limited knowledge on co-exposure toxicity data, which depends on several parameters. In this context, this systematic review aims to provide an overview of the toxic effects of two regulated mycotoxins, namely ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1. This review focused on the 2012-2022 period and analysed the occurrence in Europe of the selected mycotoxins in different food matrices (cereals and cereal-derived products), and their toxic impact, alone or in combination, on in vitro intestinal and hepatic human cells. To better understand and evaluate the associated risks, further research is needed using new approach methodologies (NAM), such as in vitro 3D models. KEY CONTRIBUTION: Cereals and their derived products are the most important food source for humans and feed for animals worldwide. This manuscript is a state of the art review of the literature over the last ten years on ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1 mycotoxins in these products in Europe as well as their toxicological effects, alone and in combination, on human cells. Future perspectives and some challenges regarding the assessment of toxicological effects of mycotoxins are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Arce-López
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Monika Coton
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Emmanuel Coton
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Nolwenn Hymery
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France.
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Qiu Z, Wang H, Li G, Liu Y, Wang X, Yang J, Wang X, He D. Lactobacillus salivarius Ameliorates AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity via PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in Geese. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116574. [PMID: 38875822 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is commonly found in feed ingredients and foods all over the world, posing a significant threat to food safety and public health in animals and humans. Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) was recorded to improve the intestinal health and performance of chickens. However, whether L. salivarius can alleviate AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in geese was unknown. A total of 300 Lande geese were randomly assigned to five groups: control group, AFB1 low-dose group (L), L. salivarius+AFB1 low-dose group (LL), AFB1 high dosage groups (H), L. salivarius+AFB1 high dosage groups (LH), respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of ALT, AST, and GGT significantly increased after exposure to AFB1. Similarly, severe damage of hepatic morphology was observed including the hepatic structure injury and inflammatory cell infiltration. The oxidative stress was evidenced by the elevated concentrations of MDA, and decreased activities of GSH-Px, GSH and SOD. The observation of immunofluorescence, real-time PCR, and western blotting showed that the expression of PINK1 and the value of LC3II/LC3I were increased, but that of p62 significantly decreased after AFB1 exposure. Moreover, the supplementation of L. salivarius effectively improved the geese performance, ameliorated AFB1-induced oxidative stress, inhibited mitochondrial mitophagy and enhanced the liver restoration to normal level. The present study demonstrated that L. salivarius ameliorated AFB1-induced the hepatotoxicity by decreasing the oxidative stress, and regulating the expression of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in the mitochondria of the geese liver. Furthermore, this investigation suggested that L. salivarius might serve as a novel and safe additive for preventing AFB1 contamination in poultry feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Qiu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei, Anhui 230036, China; Institute for Agri-Food Standard and Testing, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Guangquan Li
- Institute of Agricultural Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute of Agricultural Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201100, China
| | - Xianze Wang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standard and Testing, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Junhua Yang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standard and Testing, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China.
| | - Xichun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University,Hefei, Anhui 230036, China.
| | - Daqian He
- Institute of Agricultural Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201100, China.
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Nzitakera A, Surwumwe JB, Ndoricyimpaye EL, Uwamungu S, Uwamariya D, Manirakiza F, Ndayisaba MC, Ntakirutimana G, Seminega B, Dusabejambo V, Rutaganda E, Kamali P, Ngabonziza F, Ishikawa R, Rugwizangoga B, Iwashita Y, Yamada H, Yoshimura K, Sugimura H, Shinmura K. The spectrum of TP53 mutations in Rwandan patients with gastric cancer. Genes Environ 2024; 46:8. [PMID: 38459566 PMCID: PMC10921722 DOI: 10.1186/s41021-024-00302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the sixth most frequently diagnosed cancer and third in causing cancer-related death globally. The most frequently mutated gene in human cancers is TP53, which plays a pivotal role in cancer initiation and progression. In Africa, particularly in Rwanda, data on TP53 mutations are lacking. Therefore, this study intended to obtain TP53 mutation status in Rwandan patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 95 Rwandan patients with histopathologically proven gastric carcinoma were obtained from the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali. After DNA extraction, all coding regions of the TP53 gene and the exon-intron boundary region of TP53 were sequenced using the Sanger sequencing. Mutated TP53 were observed in 24 (25.3%) of the 95 cases, and a total of 29 mutations were identified. These TP53 mutations were distributed between exon 4 and 8 and most of them were missense mutations (19/29; 65.5%). Immunohistochemical analysis for TP53 revealed that most of the TP53 missense mutations were associated with TP53 protein accumulation. Among the 29 mutations, one was novel (c.459_477delCGGCACCCGCGTCCGCGCC). This 19-bp deletion mutation in exon 5 caused the production of truncated TP53 protein (p.G154Wfs*10). Regarding the spectrum of TP53 mutations, G:C > A:T at CpG sites was the most prevalent (10/29; 34.5%) and G:C > T:A was the second most prevalent (7/29; 24.1%). Interestingly, when the mutation spectrum of TP53 was compared to three previous TP53 mutational studies on non-Rwandan patients with gastric cancer, G:C > T:A mutations were significantly more frequent in this study than in our previous study (p = 0.013), the TCGA database (p = 0.017), and a previous study on patients from Hong Kong (p = 0.006). Even after correcting for false discovery, statistical significance was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that TP53 G:C > T:A transversion mutation in Rwandan patients with gastric cancer is more frequent than in non-Rwandan patients with gastric cancer, indicating at an alternative etiological and carcinogenic progression of gastric cancer in Rwanda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustin Nzitakera
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jean Bosco Surwumwe
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Ella Larissa Ndoricyimpaye
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Médecine Expérimentale, Brussels, 1348, Belgium
| | - Schifra Uwamungu
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SE-40530, Sweden
| | - Delphine Uwamariya
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Felix Manirakiza
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Marie Claire Ndayisaba
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Gervais Ntakirutimana
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Benoit Seminega
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Vincent Dusabejambo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Eric Rutaganda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Placide Kamali
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - François Ngabonziza
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Rei Ishikawa
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Belson Rugwizangoga
- Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, P.O. Box 655, Kigali, Rwanda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Yuji Iwashita
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Yamada
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Kimio Yoshimura
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sugimura
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan.
- Sasaki Institute Sasaki Foundation, 2-2 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 101-0062, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Shinmura
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine (HUSM), 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan.
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Ezzat GM, Meki ARMA, Meligy FY, Omar H, Nassar AY. Antiapoptotic and chemotaxis-stimulating effects of poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-chitosan and whey proteins against aflatoxicosis-induced splenic and thymic atrophy. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:9805-9824. [PMID: 37840065 PMCID: PMC10676322 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08902-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aflatoxin B (AFB) induces toxicological effects on the liver and immune organs. The whey proteins can modulate the immune response during aflatoxicosis. Our work evaluates the novel polylactic acid-glycolic acid-chitosan-encapsulated bovine and camel whey proteins against AFB-induced thymic and splenic atrophy in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy adult male Wister albino rats were divided into a control healthy group (G1) and six AFB1-intoxicated groups (G2-G7). One of the following supplements: distilled water, camel whey proteins (CWP), bovine whey proteins, poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)- chitosan-loaded with camel whey protein microparticles (CMP), PLGA-chitosan loaded with bovine whey protein microparticles (BMP), and PLGA-chitosan nanoparticles were administered as prophylactic supplements to AFB1-intoxicated groups. The AFB-treated group showed significantly higher hepatic levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of antioxidants. In the aflatoxicated group, atrophy of the splenic lymphatic nodules and disfigurement in the organisation with an apparent decrease in the thickness of the cortex in the thymus were observed, as well as a decrease in splenic and thymic CD4+T and CD8+T lymphocytes. Moreover, CXCL12 levels were downregulated, whereas tumour necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa B, and cleaved caspase-3 levels were upregulated. CWP, BMP, and CMP supplements markedly decreased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as significantly raised CXCL12, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells. CONCLUSIONS The CWP, BMP, and CMP supplements rescue the liver and immune tissues from the toxic effects of AFB through their antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and chemotaxis-enhancing roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghada M Ezzat
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt.
| | - Abdel-Raheim M A Meki
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, New Assiut, Egypt
| | - Fatma Y Meligy
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Petra, Amman, 11196, Jordan
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Hend Omar
- Animal Health Research Institute, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Y Nassar
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
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8
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Adedara IA, Atanda OE, Sant'Anna Monteiro C, Rosemberg DB, Aschner M, Farombi EO, Rocha JBT, Furian AF, Emanuelli T. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of aflatoxin B 1-mediated neurotoxicity: The therapeutic role of natural bioactive compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116869. [PMID: 37567382 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a dietary toxin from the mold Aspergillus species, is well acknowledged to elicit extra-hepatic toxicity in both animals and humans. The neurotoxicity of AFB1 has become a global public health concern. Contemporary research on how AFB1 enters the brain to elicit neuronal dysregulation leading to noxious neurological outcomes has increased greatly in recent years. The current review discusses several neurotoxic outcomes and susceptible targets of AFB1 toxicity at cellular, molecular and genetic levels. Specifically, neurotoxicity studies involving the use of brain homogenates, neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32, human brain microvascular endothelial cells, microglial cells, and astrocytes, as well as mammalian and non-mammalian models to unravel the mechanisms associated with AFB1 exposure are highlighted. Further, some naturally occurring bioactive compounds with compelling therapeutic effects on AFB1-induced neurotoxicity are reviewed. In conclusion, available data from literature highlight AFB1 as a neurotoxin and its possible pathological contribution to neurological disorders. Further mechanistic studies aimed at discovering and developing effective therapeutics for AFB1 neurotoxicity is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A Adedara
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
| | - Oluwadarasimi E Atanda
- Human Toxicology Program, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Camila Sant'Anna Monteiro
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology; Albert Einstein College of Medicine Forchheimer 209; 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ebenezer O Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Joao B T Rocha
- Department of Biochemical and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Furian
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Emanuelli
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
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9
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Devarbhavi H, Asrani SK, Arab JP, Nartey YA, Pose E, Kamath PS. Global burden of Liver Disease: 2023 Update. J Hepatol 2023:S0168-8278(23)00194-0. [PMID: 36990226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 308.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver disease accounts for 2 million deaths and is responsible for 4% of all deaths (1 out of every 25 deaths worldwide); approximately 2/3 of all liver related deaths occur in men. Deaths are largely attributable to complications of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, with acute hepatitis accounting for a smaller proportion of deaths. The most common causes of cirrhosis worldwide are related to viral hepatitis, alcohol, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatotropic viruses are the etiological factor in most cases of acute hepatitis, but drug-induced liver injury increasingly accounts for a significant proportion of cases. This iteration of the global burden of liver disease is an update of the 2019 version and focuses mainly on areas where significant new information is available like alcohol-associated liver disease, NAFLD, viral hepatitis, and HCC. We also devote a separate section to the burden of liver disease in Africa, an area of the world typically neglected in such documents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshad Devarbhavi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Sumeet K Asrani
- Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott and White, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Juan Pablo Arab
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University & London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yvonne Ayerki Nartey
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Elisa Pose
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Institut D'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN, United States
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10
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A Low-Cost, Portable Device for Detecting and Sorting Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize Kernels. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15030197. [PMID: 36977088 PMCID: PMC10058786 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin contamination of maize is a major food safety issue worldwide. The problem is of special significance in African countries because maize is a staple food. This manuscript describes a low-cost, portable, non-invasive device for detecting and sorting aflatoxin-contaminated maize kernels. We developed a prototype employing a modified, normalized difference fluorescence index (NDFI) detection method to identify potentially aflatoxin-contaminated maize kernels. Once identified, these contaminated kernels can be manually removed by the user. The device consists of a fluorescence excitation light source, a tablet for image acquisition, and detection/visualization software. Two experiments using maize kernels artificially infected with toxigenic Aspergillus flavus were implemented to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the device. The first experiment utilized highly contaminated kernels (71.18 ppb), while mildly contaminated kernels (1.22 ppb) were used for the second experiment. Evidently, the combined approach of detection and sorting was effective in reducing aflatoxin levels in maize kernels. With a maize rejection rate of 1.02% and 1.34% in the two experiments, aflatoxin reduction was achieved at 99.3% and 40.7%, respectively. This study demonstrated the potential of using this low-cost and non-invasive fluorescence detection technology, followed by manual sorting, to significantly reduce aflatoxin levels in maize samples. This technology would be beneficial to village farmers and consumers in developing countries by enabling safer foods that are free of potentially lethal levels of aflatoxins.
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11
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Urugo MM, Teka TA, Berihune RA, Teferi SL, Garbaba CA, Adebo JA, Woldemariam HW, Astatkie T. Novel non-thermal food processing techniques and their mechanism of action in mycotoxins decontamination of foods. INNOV FOOD SCI EMERG 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ifset.2023.103312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
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12
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Aflatoxins: Source, Detection, Clinical Features and Prevention. Processes (Basel) 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/pr11010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The most potent mycotoxin, aflatoxins are the secondary metabolite produced by fungi, especially Aspergillus, and have been found to be ubiquitous, contaminating cereals, crops, and even milk and causing major health and economic issues in some countries due to poor storage, substandard management, and lack of awareness. Different aspects of the toxin are reviewed here, including its structural biochemistry, occurrence, factors conducive to its contamination and intoxication and related clinical features, as well as suggested preventive and control strategies and detection methods.
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13
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Dania MI, Faraji B, Wachira J. Micronutrient Biosynthesis Potential of Spontaneous Grain Fermentation Microbiomes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16621. [PMID: 36554499 PMCID: PMC9778892 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fermented foods play an important role in the human diet and particularly so in under-resourced environments where cold preservation is not attainable due to irregular supply of electricity. Fermented foods are reported to support gut health by contributing probiotics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbial diversity and metabolic potential of spontaneous millet fermentation. The literature in the field was reviewed and analyses were conducted on publicly available Sequence Read Archive (SRA) datasets. Quality analysis was performed with FastQC, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were generated using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME2) and Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm (DADA2) pipelines with Greengenes as the reference database. Metagenomics and pathways analysis were performed with Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2). Statistical analysis and visualization were accomplished with Statistical Analysis of Metagenomic Profiles (STAMP). At the family taxonomic level, there were differences in the relative abundances of the dominant taxa of bacteria that are involved in the spontaneous fermentation of millet namely Lactobacillaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Streptococcaceae, Leuconostocaceae, and Acetobacteraceae. Clostridiaceae was the dominant family in one dataset. The incidence of Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae suggest the probiotic characteristics of fermented millet. The datasets were collected with fermentations that were mediated by autochthonous microorganisms and the presence of some potential pathogens such as Enterobacteriaceae, Clostridiaceae, Aeromonadaceae, Microbacteiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Neisseriaceae which suggest the need for standardization of fermentation approaches. The genomes show the potential to synthesize metabolites such as essential amino acids and vitamins, suggesting that the respective fermented foods can be further optimized to enhance nutritional benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret I. Dania
- Food Technology Department, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi 312001, Nigeria
| | - Bahram Faraji
- Nutritional Science/Dietetics Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
| | - James Wachira
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
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14
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Biocontrol potential of 1-pentanal emitted from lactic acid bacteria strains against Aspergillus flavus in red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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15
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Mahuku G, Mauro A, Pallangyo B, Nsami E, Boni S, Koyano E, Mponda O, Ortega-Beltran A, Atehnkeng J, Aquiline F, Samuel R, Njela J, Cotty P, Bandyopadhyay R. Atoxigenic-based technology for biocontrol of aflatoxin in maize and groundnuts for Tanzania. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2022. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2021.2758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Application of biocontrol products containing atoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus flavus to reduce aflatoxin content in crops is an effective strategy for managing aflatoxin in several regions throughout the world. We report the development and validation of two aflatoxin biocontrol products, Aflasafe TZ01 and Aflasafe TZ02, for use in maize and groundnut in Tanzania, a country frequently affected by aflatoxin contamination. Each product contains four atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native and widely distributed in Tanzania. Efficacy tests on maize and groundnut were conducted over two years and in four regions of Tanzania where aflatoxin contamination is prevalent. Application of both products significantly (P<0.05) reduced aflatoxin levels in maize and groundnut in both years and in all districts. No differences were observed in total Aspergillus section Flavi population in treated and untreated fields, revealing that application of the biocontrol products do not alter overall Aspergillus populations in the environment. The results indicate that both products are effective tools for aflatoxin mitigation in groundnut and maize. The products were officially registered in 2018. Currently, there are scale-out and-up efforts of aflatoxin biocontrol products in Tanzania through a private sector company that is making the products available to farmers. Protecting maize and groundnut from aflatoxin contamination in Tanzania can result in health, income, and trade benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Mahuku
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A. Mauro
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - B. Pallangyo
- Plant Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 2182, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - E. Nsami
- National Biological Control Center, P.O. Box 30031, Kibaha, Tanzania
| | - S.B. Boni
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- World Vegetable Center, Eastern and Southern Africa, P.O. Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - E. Koyano
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - O. Mponda
- Department of Research, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, P.O. Box 9192, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A. Ortega-Beltran
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - J. Atehnkeng
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
| | - F. Aquiline
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - R. Samuel
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - J. Njela
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Eastern Africa Hub, Plot 25, Mwenge Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni B, P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - P.J. Cotty
- USDA-ARS, 416 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701, USA
| | - R. Bandyopadhyay
- IITA Headquarters, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan 200001, Oyo State, Nigeria
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16
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Meijer N, Nijssen R, Bosch M, Boers E, van der Fels-Klerx HJ. Aflatoxin B1 Metabolism of Reared Alphitobius diaperinus in Different Life-Stages. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040357. [PMID: 35447799 PMCID: PMC9025786 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The presence of carcinogenic aflatoxins in food and feed is a major issue. In prior studies, aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) and known primary metabolites were absent from Lesser Mealworm (LMW, Alphitobius diaperinus) reared on contaminated diets. LMW is a promising alternative protein source. The objectives of this stu\dy were to determine whether LMW can be reared on AfB1-contaminated feed in each life-stage, and to gather more insight into potential metabolites formed. Results suggested no adverse effects in terms of survival/growth when three stages of LMW (larvae, pre-pupae, beetles) were exposed to feed containing AfB1 concentrations of 200 and 600 µg/kg for 48 h. Insect and frass samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and high-resolution MS to, respectively, quantify concentrations of AfB1 and its major metabolites, and determine secondary metabolites. No AfB1 or major metabolites were quantified in the insect samples. Mass balance calculations showed that up to 40% of spiked AfB1 could be recovered in the frass, in the form of AfB1, aflatoxicol and AfM1. HRMS results suggested the presence of additional metabolites in the frass, but, due to lack of commercially available reference standards for these compounds, exact identification and quantification was not possible. More research is needed to verify the absence of toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Meijer
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), P.O. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.N.); (E.B.); (H.J.v.d.F.-K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Rosalie Nijssen
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), P.O. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.N.); (E.B.); (H.J.v.d.F.-K.)
| | - Marlou Bosch
- Ynsect NL Nutrition & Health B.V., Harderwijkerweg 141B, 3852 AB Ermelo, The Netherlands;
| | - Ed Boers
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), P.O. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.N.); (E.B.); (H.J.v.d.F.-K.)
| | - H. J. van der Fels-Klerx
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), P.O. Box 230, 6700 AE Wageningen, The Netherlands; (R.N.); (E.B.); (H.J.v.d.F.-K.)
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17
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Evaluating the Performance of Lateral Flow Devices for Total Aflatoxins with Special Emphasis on Their Robustness under Sub-Saharan Conditions. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110742. [PMID: 34822526 PMCID: PMC8618999 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As aflatoxins are a global risk for humans and animals, testing methods for rapid on-site screening are increasingly needed alongside the standard analytical laboratory tools. In the presented study, lateral flow devices (LFDs) for rapid total aflatoxin screening were thoroughly investigated with respect to their matrix effects, cross-reactivity, their performance under harsh conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and their stability, as well as when compared with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). To analyze the matrix effects, qualitative test kits offering a certain cutoff level were used to screen different nut samples. In addition, these tests were challenged on their cross-reactivity with 230 fungal toxins and metabolites. Furthermore, the resulting measurements performed under harsh tropical conditions (up to 38.4 °C and 91% relative humidity) in SSA, specifically Burkina Faso and Mozambique, were compared with the results from a well-established and validated LC-MS/MS-based reference method. The comparison of the on-site LFD results with the reference method showed a good agreement: 86.4% agreement, 11.8% non-agreement, and 1.8% invalid test results. To test the robustness of the cutoff tests, short- and long-term stability testing was carried out in Mozambique and Nigeria. For both experiments, no loss of test performance could be determined. Finally, a subset of African corn samples was shipped to Austria and analyzed under laboratory conditions using semiquantitative aflatoxin tests. A good correlation was found between the rapid strip tests and the LC-MS/MS reference method. Overall, the evaluated LFDs showed satisfying results regarding their cross-reactivity, matrix effects, stability, and robustness.
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