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Abdallah MF, Gado M, Abdelsadek D, Zahran F, El-Salhey NN, Mehrez O, Abdel-Hay S, Mohamed SM, De Ruyck K, Yang S, Gonzales GB, Varga E. Mycotoxin contamination in the Arab world: Highlighting the main knowledge gaps and the current legislation. Mycotoxin Res 2024; 40:19-44. [PMID: 38117428 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-023-00513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of aflatoxins in the 1960s, knowledge in the mycotoxin research field has increased dramatically. Hundreds of review articles have been published summarizing many different aspects, including mycotoxin contamination per country or region. However, mycotoxin contamination in the Arab world, which includes 22 countries in Africa and Asia, has not yet been specifically reviewed. To this end, the contamination of mycotoxins in the Arab world was reviewed not only to profile the pervasiveness of the problem in this region but also to identify the main knowledge gaps imperiling the safety of food and feed in the future. To the best of our knowledge, 306 (non-)indexed publications in English, Arabic, or French were published from 1977 to 2021, focusing on the natural occurrence of mycotoxins in matrices of 14 different categories. Characteristic factors (e.g., detected mycotoxins, concentrations, and detection methods) were extracted, processed, and visualized. The main results are summarized as follows: (i) research on mycotoxin contamination has increased over the years. However, the accumulated data on their occurrences are scarce to non-existent in some countries; (ii) the state-of-the-art technologies on mycotoxin detection are not broadly implemented neither are contemporary multi-mycotoxin detection strategies, thus showing a need for capacity-building initiatives; and (iii) mycotoxin profiles differ among food and feed categories, as well as between human biofluids. Furthermore, the present work highlights contemporary legislation in the Arab countries and provides future perspectives to mitigate mycotoxins, enhance food and feed safety, and protect the consumer public. Concluding, research initiatives to boost mycotoxin research among Arab countries are strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F Abdallah
- Department of Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Muhammad Gado
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Fatma Zahran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Nada Nabil El-Salhey
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Ohaila Mehrez
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara Abdel-Hay
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt
| | - Sahar M Mohamed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Karl De Ruyck
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shupeng Yang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gerard Bryan Gonzales
- Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Gwinn KD, Leung MCK, Stephens AB, Punja ZK. Fungal and mycotoxin contaminants in cannabis and hemp flowers: implications for consumer health and directions for further research. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1278189. [PMID: 37928692 PMCID: PMC10620813 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Medicinal and recreational uses of Cannabis sativa, commonly known as cannabis or hemp, has increased following its legalization in certain regions of the world. Cannabis and hemp plants interact with a community of microbes (i.e., the phytobiome), which can influence various aspects of the host plant. The fungal composition of the C. sativa phytobiome (i.e., mycobiome) currently consists of over 100 species of fungi, which includes phytopathogens, epiphytes, and endophytes, This mycobiome has often been understudied in research aimed at evaluating the safety of cannabis products for humans. Medical research has historically focused instead on substance use and medicinal uses of the plant. Because several components of the mycobiome are reported to produce toxic secondary metabolites (i.e., mycotoxins) that can potentially affect the health of humans and animals and initiate opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, there is a need to determine the potential health risks that these contaminants could pose for consumers. This review discusses the mycobiome of cannabis and hemp flowers with a focus on plant-infecting and toxigenic fungi that are most commonly found and are of potential concern (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Mucor spp.). We review current regulations for molds and mycotoxins worldwide and review assessment methods including culture-based assays, liquid chromatography, immuno-based technologies, and emerging technologies for these contaminants. We also discuss approaches to reduce fungal contaminants on cannabis and hemp and identify future research needs for contaminant detection, data dissemination, and management approaches. These approaches are designed to yield safer products for all consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly D. Gwinn
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Maxwell C. K. Leung
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Ariell B. Stephens
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ, United States
| | - Zamir K. Punja
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Pickova D, Toman J, Ostry V, Malir F. Natural Occurrence of Ochratoxin A in Spices Marketed in the Czech Republic during 2019-2020. Foods 2021; 10:foods10122984. [PMID: 34945534 PMCID: PMC8701753 DOI: 10.3390/foods10122984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spices are a popular ingredient in cuisine worldwide but can pose a health risk as they are prone to fungal infestation and mycotoxin contamination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ochratoxin A (OTA) in 54 single-kind traditional and less traditional spices, each of which was purchased in six samples of different batches (324 samples in total) at the Czech market during 2019-2020. The HPLC-FLD method with pre-treatment by immunoaffinity columns was employed to determine OTA. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.03 ng g-1 and 0.10 ng g-1, respectively. A total of 101 (31%) samples of 19 spice kinds were positive at concentrations ranging from 0.11-38.46 ng g-1. Only turmeric was contaminated with an OTA level exceeding the European Union limits. However, most spices have no regulation, thus further extensive monitoring of various mycotoxins in various kinds of spices is necessary. Chilli and black pepper are the most studied spices for OTA contamination, however, many other kinds of spice can also be highly contaminated, but studies on them are less common, rare, or have not yet been performed. The uniqueness of this study lies in the wide range of spice types studied for the presence of OTA on the Czech market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Pickova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (J.T.); Tel.: +420-722-049-025 (D.P.); +420-607-154-471 (J.T.)
| | - Jakub Toman
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (F.M.)
- Correspondence: (D.P.); (J.T.); Tel.: +420-722-049-025 (D.P.); +420-607-154-471 (J.T.)
| | - Vladimir Ostry
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (F.M.)
- Center for Health, Nutrition and Food in Brno, National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Palackeho 3a, CZ-61242 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Malir
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (F.M.)
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Pickova D, Ostry V, Malir J, Toman J, Malir F. A Review on Mycotoxins and Microfungi in Spices in the Light of the Last Five Years. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E789. [PMID: 33322380 PMCID: PMC7763258 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12120789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spices are imported worldwide mainly from developing countries with tropical and/or subtropical climate. Local conditions, such as high temperature, heavy rainfall, and humidity, promote fungal growth leading to increased occurrence of mycotoxins in spices. Moreover, the lack of good agricultural practice (GAP), good manufacturing practice (GMP), and good hygienic practice (GHP) in developing countries are of great concern. This review summarizes recent data from a total of 56 original papers dealing with mycotoxins and microfungi in various spices in the last five years. A total of 38 kinds of spices, 17 mycotoxins, and 14 microfungi are discussed in the review. Worldwide, spices are rather overlooked in terms of mycotoxin regulations, which usually only cover aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA). In this paper, an extensive attention is devoted to the limits on mycotoxins in spices in the context of the European Union (EU) as well as other countries. As proven in this review, the incidence of AFs and OTA, as well as other mycotoxins, is relatively high in many spices; thus, the preparation of new regulation limits is advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Pickova
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (J.T.); (F.M.)
| | - Vladimir Ostry
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (J.T.); (F.M.)
- Center for Health, Nutrition and Food in Brno, National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Palackeho 3a, CZ-61242 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Malir
- Department of Public Law, Institute of State and Law, Czech Academy of Sciences, Narodni 18, CZ-11600 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Jakub Toman
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (J.T.); (F.M.)
| | - Frantisek Malir
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Rokitanskeho 62, CZ-50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (V.O.); (J.T.); (F.M.)
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Hussein MA, El-Said AHM, Yassein AS. Mycobiota associated with strawberry fruits, their mycotoxin potential and pectinase activity. Mycology 2020; 11:158-166. [PMID: 32923023 PMCID: PMC7448860 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2020.1759719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Forty-three species and variety belonging to 15 genera were collected from 30 strawberry fruit samples on Glucose-Czapek’s agar medium. Among them, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium citrinum were the most frequent species recovered from 53.3%, 70.0% and 50.0% of the samples, respectively. According to the ITS rDNA sequence, we confirmed the morphological identification result. Moreover, aflatoxin biosynthesis gene omt-A was detected in A. flavus, while Aopks gene was found in A. niger. Interestingly, we could not detect any aflatoxin or ochratoxin biosynthesis genes in the P. citrinum strain. The concentration of detected aflatoxin was 3.5 ppb produced by A. flavus, while A. niger gave 4.1 ppb as ochratoxin. A. flavus was the most pectinase producer among the selected strains, and the highest amount was obtained at 30°C after 6 days of incubation with initial medium pH 8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A Hussein
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H M El-Said
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Asmaa S Yassein
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
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Agriopoulou S, Stamatelopoulou E, Varzakas T. Advances in Occurrence, Importance, and Mycotoxin Control Strategies: Prevention and Detoxification in Foods. Foods 2020; 9:E137. [PMID: 32012820 PMCID: PMC7074356 DOI: 10.3390/foods9020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are toxic substances that can infect many foods with carcinogenic, genotoxic, teratogenic, nephrotoxic, and hepatotoxic effects. Mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs causes diseases worldwide. The major classes of mycotoxins that are of the greatest agroeconomic importance are aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, emerging Fusarium mycotoxins, enniatins, ergot alkaloids, Alternaria toxins, and patulin. Thus, in order to mitigate mycotoxin contamination of foods, many control approaches are used. Prevention, detoxification, and decontamination of mycotoxins can contribute in this purpose in the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages. Therefore, the purpose of the review is to elaborate on the recent advances regarding the occurrence of main mycotoxins in many types of important agricultural products, as well as the methods of inactivation and detoxification of foods from mycotoxins in order to reduce or fully eliminate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Agriopoulou
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece; (E.S.); (T.V.)
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Al-Jaal B, Salama S, Al-Qasmi N, Jaganjac M. Mycotoxin contamination of food and feed in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and its detection. Toxicon 2019; 171:43-50. [PMID: 31586556 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by different fungal spices and are found in diverse agricultural crops worldwide; they pose a severe threat to public health. Mycotoxins can cause either acute or chronic symptoms, depending on the type and dose of mycotoxin one has been exposed to. Thus, a continuous monitoring of mycotoxins is needed. Since the discovery of mycotoxins, numerous countries, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, have established mycotoxin-specific regulations for feed and food. Although a number of studies in GCC countries have investigated the presence of mycotoxins, till date, there are no reviews focusing on the mycotoxin contamination of the food and feed from this region. This review is the first study to present an up-to-date overview of the occurrence of mycotoxins in feed and food in the GCC countries and to discuss the techniques used for mycotoxin analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia Salama
- Anti-Doping Lab Qatar, Sport city street, Doha, Qatar
| | - Noof Al-Qasmi
- Anti-Doping Lab Qatar, Sport city street, Doha, Qatar
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