Trichothecenes in Food and Feed, Relevance to Human and Animal Health and Methods of Detection: A Systematic Review

Effects of T-2 and deoxynivalenol mycotoxins on mouse spinal bone growth and integrity

Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD), an osteoarticular disorder, is influenced by various factors, including exposure to Deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 mycotoxins. This study systematically explored the impact of these mycotoxins on the development and structural resilience of spinal structures in mice, examining both isolated and combined effects. The experiment involved 72 male mice divided into nine groups, each subjected to varying concentrations of T-2, DON, or their combinations over four weeks. Rigorous monitoring included body weight, key indicators of bone metabolism, and cellular activities essential to bone health. Comprehensive evaluations using biomechanical analysis, x-ray, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) were conducted to assess alterations in spinal structure. The findings revealed a pivotal aspect: mice exhibited a dose-dependent decline in body weight when exposed to individual mycotoxins, while simultaneous exposure produced an unanticipated antagonistic effect. Moreover, decreases were noted in levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, coupled with changes in the activities of osteoblasts (increased) and osteoclasts (decreased), all intricately tied to the toxins' dosages and combinations. Notably, variations in the biomechanical properties corresponded with the mycotoxin dosage and blend, showing a decline in biomechanical strength. Micro-CT analyses further substantiated the profound toxic impact of the toxin dosage and mixtures on both the cortical and trabecular components of the spinal structures. In summary, this investigation unequivocally illuminates the dose- and ratio-dependent deleterious impacts of DON and T-2 mycotoxins on the growth and structural soundness of spinal structures in mice. These findings highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the potential hazards these toxins pose to bone health, providing invaluable guidance for future toxicological research and public health strategies.

Beyond morphogenesis and secondary metabolism: function of Velvet proteins and LaeA in fungal pathogenesis

Velvet proteins, as well as the epigenetic regulator LaeA, are conserved in numerous fungal species, where, in response to environmental cues, they control several crucial cellular processes, including sexual and asexual morphogenesis, secondary metabolism, response to oxidative stress, and virulence. During the last two decades, knowledge of their mechanism of action as well as understanding their functional roles, has greatly increased, particularly in Aspergillus species. Research efforts from multiple groups followed, leading to the characterization of other Velvet and LaeA homologs in species of other fungal genera, including important opportunistic plant and animal pathogens. This review focuses mainly on the current knowledge of the role of Velvet and LaeA function in fungal pathogenesis. Velvet proteins and LaeA are unique to fungi, and for this reason, additional knowledge of these critical regulatory proteins will be important in the development of targeted control strategies to decrease the detrimental impact of fungal pathogens capable of causing disease in plants and animals.

AHR activation relieves deoxynivalenol-induced disruption of porcine intestinal epithelial barrier functions

Mycotoxins are ubiquitous natural pollutants that pose a serious threat to public health. Deoxynivalenol (DON) as one of the most prominent mycotoxins has a noticeable adverse effect on intestinal barrier function, which depends on the intestinal barrier integrity. However, the potential mechanisms and effective therapeutic strategies remain unclear. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been implicated in the modulation of intestinal barrier function and inflammation. The study aims to investigate the unique role of AHR in mediating DON-induced intestinal epithelial barrier function. In the current study, we revealed that DON triggered mitochondrial structural damage and functional impairment, leading to oxidative stress and apoptosis in porcine jejunal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). DON altered the integrity of IPEC-J2 cells by disrupting the distribution and function of tight junction proteins. Additionally, DON activated TNF-α/NF-κB/MLCK signaling pathway, thereby eliciting inflammatory response. Notably, DON inhibited AHR nuclear translocation and attenuated xenobiotic response element promoter activity and its target genes. However, overexpression of AHR mitigated DON-induced disruption of intestinal epithelial barrier functions by suppressing TNF-α/NF-κB/MLCK pathway in IPEC-J2 cells. Our findings indicate that AHR regulates intestinal epithelial barrier function and therefore is a novel therapeutic molecule for intestinal disorders.

Human next-generation risk assessment of trichothecene toxicity

Trichothecenes are naturally occurring chemicals, produced by fungi, that can be found in contaminated crops. Trichothecenes have the potential to indirectly damage DNA and exacerbate genotoxic effects of genotoxicants. However, genotoxicity data for most trichothecenes are limited and data gaps remain. Here we use the γH2AX/pH3 assay to evaluate DNA damage in vitro of 13 trichothecenes. Three human cell lines (SH-SY5Y, ACHN, and HepG2) were exposed to each trichothecene (0.001-100 μM) to assess toxicity as models for the brain, kidney, and liver, respectively. Concentration-dependent induction of DNA damage, illustrated by γH2AX induction, was observed for all trichothecenes. In vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) modeling was employed to support in vivo equivalent potency ranking and screen for risk potential. Diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2, and HT-2 had the highest genotoxic potency, notably in SH-SY5Y cells. Administered equivalent doses (AEDs) derived from IVIVE were compared against exposure data from French total diet studies to assess risk potential. AEDs derived for T-2 and HT-2 from the SH-SY5Y model were within 100-fold of exposure levels for infants aged one year or less. Overall, the potential for trichothecenes to damage DNA and higher exposures in infants highlights the need to investigate the cumulative effects across the broader trichothecene family.

Comprehensive transcriptomic profiling of T-2 toxin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice

T-2 toxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin, is an important environmental pollutant that poses a threat globally to the health of humans and animals. It has been found to induce nephrotoxicity; however, the precise molecular mechanism involved remains unclear. In this study, mice were administered at a single dose of 2 mg/kg body weight T-2 toxin intraperitoneally, and kidney function and ultrastructural observations were assessed after 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d. Histopathological findings revealed that exposure to T-2 toxin caused noticeable tubular degeneration, necrosis and epithelial cell shedding in mouse kidneys. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that exposure to T-2 toxin caused mitochondrial swelling and vacuolization. Transcriptomic data revealed significant differences in the expression of 1122, 58, and 391 genes in kidney tissues 1 d, 3 d, or 7 d after T-2 toxin exposure, respectively. Moreover, after 1 d, the downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to be involved in the cell cycle, p53 signaling, and cellular senescence pathways, while the upregulated DEGs were found to be associated with the ribosomal pathway. Temporal changes in gene expression patterns (i.e., after 3 d and 7 d) and disturbances in cellular metabolism during the recovery period (7 d) were detected in mouse kidneys after exposure to T-2 toxin. In conclusion, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive comparative transcriptomic analysis of T-2 toxin exposure-induced nephrotoxicity-related gene regulation at different time points and to investigate the mechanism underlying the nephrotoxicity of T-2 toxin at the mRNA expression level.

Exposure of Cattle Breeding Herds to Naturally Co-Contaminated Zearalenone and Deoxynivalenol: The Relevance of a Urinary Mycotoxin Monitoring System for Herd Health and Food Safety

The widespread presence of Fusarium mycotoxins in animal feed is a global issue, not only for the health of livestock but also for ensure the safety of food as an end product. High concentrations of zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) have been detected in the diets of Japanese Black (JB) and Holstein Friesian (HF) breeding herds. Consequently, we monitored serum biochemical parameters over a long time in both herds, focusing on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and acute-phase inflammation. Additionally, urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and progesterone levels were measured in the HF herd. The JB herd, a ZEN-dominant model with low DON contamination, demonstrated ZEN levels that exceeded the Japanese limit in the purchased total mixed rations (TMR). Conversely, the HF herd, which primary consumes DON-dominant feed with low ZEN contamination, had high DON levels in the dent corn silage. Specifically, the JB herd's TMR contained 1.79 mg/kg ZEN and 0.58 mg/kg DON, whereas the HF herd's silage had 15.3 mg/kg DON (dried sample) and 0.1 mg/kg ZEN. Enzyme-linked immunoassay were used to measure urinary ZEN-DON levels following confirmation through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary ZEN-DON levels measured were significantly correlated (p < 0.05, r > 0.6) in both herds. In the HF herd, AMH levels increased (p = 0.01) and serum amyloid A (SAA) levels decreased (p = 0.02) when contaminated and at the end of the monitoring period. Additionally, urinary ZEN and DON levels were significantly correlated with SAA levels (ZEN: p = 0.00, r = 0.46; DON: p = 0.03, r = 0.33), with an increase in ZEN and DON levels resulting in higher SAA levels. The JB herd showed no significant differences. Additionally, in the HF herd, 8-OHdG/Cre levels increased significantly during major contamination periods (p < 0.05). Clinical data from the HF herd indicated an increase in mastitis cases and treatment rates during periods of major contamination. Abortion rates in the HF herd decreased from 22.9% (before monitoring) to 8.9% (during the high contamination period) and finally to 1% (at the end of the monitoring period), with corresponding increases in progesterone levels. ZEN-DON contamination adversely affects breeding cattle's productivity, reproductive performance, and health. Therefore, monitoring urinary ZEN-DON is valuable for detecting contaminants and ensuring the safety of food products.

Banana Peel Extract-Derived ZnO Nanopowder: Transforming Solar Water Purification for Safer Agri-Food Production

Pure water scarcity is the most significant emerging challenge of the modern society. Various organics such as pesticides (clomazone, quinmerac), pharmaceuticals (ciprofloxacin, 17α-ethynilestradiol), and mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol) can be found in the aquatic environment. The aim of this study was to fabricate ZnO nanomaterial on the basis of banana peel extract (ZnO/BPE) and investigate its efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of selected organics under various experimental conditions. Newly synthesized ZnO/BPE nanomaterials were fully characterized by the XRD, FTIR, SEM-EPS, XPS, and BET techniques, which confirmed the successful formation of ZnO nanomaterials. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the optimal catalyst loading of ZnO/BPE was 0.5 mg/cm3, while the initial pH did not influence the degradation efficiency. The reusability of the ZnO/BPE nanomaterial was also tested, and minimal activity loss was found after three photocatalytic cycles. The photocatalytic efficiency of pure banana peel extract (BPE) was also studied, and the obtained data showed high removal of ciprofloxacin and 17α-ethynilestradiol. Finally, the influence of water from Danube River was also examined based on the degradation efficiency of selected pollutants. These results showed an enhanced removal of ciprofloxacin in water from the Danube River, while in the case of other pollutants, the treatment was less effective.

Mycotoxins and coccidiosis in poultry - co-occurrence, interaction, and effects

Avian coccidiosis, a common disease caused by Eimeria species, results in significant losses in global poultry production. Mycotoxins are low-molecular-weight natural products (i.e., small molecules) produced as secondary metabolites by filamentous fungi and they have the potential to economically and significantly affect global poultry production. Little is known about the relationship between mycotoxins and avian coccidiosis, although they often co-occur in the field. This comprehensive review examines the intricate relationship between mycotoxins and avian coccidiosis, in particular how mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes as well as Fusarium mycotoxins, compromise the health of the poultry flock and open the door to Eimeria parasites in the gut. In addition, this review sheds light on the immunosuppressive effects of mycotoxins, their disruption of cellular signaling pathways, and the consequent exacerbation of coccidiosis infections. The mechanisms of mycotoxin toxicity are also reviewed, emphasizing direct damage to intestinal epithelial cells, impaired nutrient absorption, inflammation, oxidative stress, and changes in the gut microbiota. Finally, the consequences for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis when mycotoxins are present in the feed are discussed. This review emphasizes the need for effective management strategies to mitigate the combined risks of mycotoxins and coccidiosis and highlights the complexity of diagnosing and controlling these interrelated problems in poultry. The review advocates a holistic approach that includes strict feed management, disease prevention measures and regular monitoring to maintain the health and productivity of poultry against these significant challenges.

Toxicological evaluation of microbial secondary metabolites in the context of European active substance approval for plant protection products

Risk assessment (RA) of microbial secondary metabolites (SM) is part of the EU approval process for microbial active substances (AS) used in plant protection products (PPP). As the number of potentially produced microbial SM may be high for a certain microbial strain and existing information on the metabolites often are low, data gaps are frequently identified during the RA. Often, RA cannot conclusively clarify the toxicological relevance of the individual substances. This work presents data and RA conclusions on four metabolites, Beauvericin, 2,3-deepoxy-2,3-didehydro-rhizoxin (DDR), Leucinostatin A and Swainsonin in detail as examples for the challenging process of RA. To overcome the problem of incomplete assessment reports, RA of microbial AS for PPP is in need of new approaches. In view of the Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA), the combination of literature data, omic-methods, in vitro and in silico methods combined in adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) can be used for an efficient and targeted identification and assessment of metabolites of concern (MoC).

Modulatory interactions of T-2 and deoxynivalenol mycotoxins on murine femoral development and osteological integrity

In this study, we conducted a systematic assessment of the effectsof deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 mycotoxins (T-2) on the developmental processes and structural integrity of murine femurs, considering both the isolated and synergistic effects of these toxins. To this end, we divided 72 male mice into nine groups, each subjected to varying dosages of T-2, DON, or their combinations. Over a four-week experimental period, meticulous monitoring was undertaken regarding the mice's body weight, biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption, and the activity of relevant cells. To comprehensively evaluate alterations in bone structure, we employed biomechanical analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and transmission electron microscopy.Our findings unveiled a significant revelation: the mice exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in body weight upon exposure to individual mycotoxins, while the combined use of these toxins manifested an atypical antagonistic effect. Furthermore, we observed variations in the levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, as well as adjustments in the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, all intricately linked to the dosage and ratio of the toxins. Alterations in biomechanical properties were also noted to correlate with the dosage and combination of toxins. Analyses via micro-CT and transmission electron microscopy further corroborated the substantial impact of toxin dosage and combinations on both cortical and trabecular bone structures.In summation, our research unequivocally demonstrates the dose- and ratio-dependent detrimental effects of DON and T-2 mycotoxins on the growth and structural integrity of murine femurs. These insights accentuate the importance of a profound understanding of the potential risks these toxins pose to bone health, offering pivotal guidance for future toxicological research and public health preventative strategies.

Prevalence of T-2 Toxin in the Food and Beverages of Residents Living in a Kashin-Beck-Disease Area of Qamdo, Tibet

It has been strongly suggested that selenium deficiency and T-2 toxin contamination have a strong relationship with the occurrence and development of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). In order to provide information for understanding the high prevalence of KBD in Tibet, this study collected the responses to a cubital venous blood and dietary questionnaire of 125 subjects including 75 KBD patients and 50 healthy controls in a KBD-prevalent county (Luolong County) in Tibet, China. A total of 10 household local families were randomly selected in this area, and local diet samples of brick tea, Zanba powder, milk residue, and hulless Barley were collected from these residents. Selenium content in blood was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The T-2 toxin contamination level in food sample was assayed using an ELISA kit. The selenium levels of patients and controls were 42.0 ± 19.8 and 56.06 ± 22.4 μg/L, respectively. The serum selenium level in controls was higher than that in patients, but there was no significant difference, and the serum selenium level both in patients and controls in Tibet was lower than the normal range. The results of the dietary survey showed that the number of respondents who consumed butter tea was large; 46.67% of patients indicated that they drank buttered tea every day, which was significantly higher than in controls. The contents of T-2 toxin in Zanba powder, milk residue, hulless barley and drinking water samples were below the detection limit (0.05 μg/kg); this result was labeled Tr. Unexpectedly, the contents of T-2 toxin in brick tea were higher, with average levels of 424 ± 56 μg/kg in Detong village and 396 ± 24 μg/kg in Langcuo village. For the first time, we report the presence of an extremely high concentration of T-2 toxin in brick tea of Tibet.

A comprehensive review of biodetoxification of trichothecenes: Mechanisms, limitations and novel strategies

Trichothecenes are Fusarium mycotoxins with sesquiterpenoid structure, which are widely occurred in grains. Due to high efficiency and environmental friendliness, biological detoxification methods have been of great interest to treat this global food and feed safety concern. This review summarized the biological detoxification methods of trichothecenes from three aspects, biosorption, biotransformation and biotherapy. The detoxification efficiency, characteristics, mechanisms and limitations of different strategies were discussed in detail. Computer-aided design will bring a new research paradigm for more efficient discovery of biodetoxifier. Integrating different detoxification approaches assisted with computational tools will become a promising research direction in the future, which will help to maximize the detoxification effect, or provide precise detoxification programs for the coexistence of various toxins at different levels in actual production. In addition, technical and regulatory issues in practical application were also discussed. These findings contribute to the exploration of efficient, applicable and sustainable methods for trichothecenes detoxification, ensuring the safety of food and feed to reduce the deleterious effects of trichothecenes on humans and animals.

A novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor for sensitive detection of zearalenone using NG/PDDA/HNTs and Ti-MOF-KB composites for signal amplification

In this work, a novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor based on signal amplification was developed for the ultrasensitive detection of zearalenone (ZEA). The composite consisting of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) functionalized nitrogen doped graphene, halloysite nanotubes and toluidine blue (Tb/NG/PDDA/HNTs), was synthesized for the first time. Then it was modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to bind the secondary antibody (Ab2, 10 μg mL-1) and form the tracer label. In addition, ketjen black (KB) was doped into titanium-based metal-organic framework (Ti-MOF), which provided large specific surface area and employed as the sensing platform to increase the immobilization of the primary antibody (Ab1, 10 μg mL-1). This immunosensor showed a wide linear range for ZEA from 10 fg mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.57 fg mL-1, which was below the maximum tolerable levels (50∼100 µg kg-1) set by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Deoxynivalenol exposure induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in human keratinocytes via PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathway

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin frequently occurring in human and animal food worldwide, which raises increasing public health concerns. In the present study, we used human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) as an in vitro model to explore the cytotoxic effect of DON. The results showed that the cells exhibited varying degrees of damage, including decreased cell number and viability, cell shrinkage and floating, when treated with 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/mL DON for 6, 12, and 24 h, respectively. Furthermore, exposure to DON for 24 h significantly increased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and prominently decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity. Additionally, DON exposure induced mitochondrial damage and cell apoptosis through reducing mitochondrial membrane potential. Then, we performed RNA-sequencing to investigate the molecular changes in HaCaT cells after DON exposure. The RNA-sequencing results revealed that DON exposure altered the gene expression involved in apoptosis, MAPK signaling pathway, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, DON exposure significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2, and increased the mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Caspase 3 and COX-2, the protein expression of PI3K, and the phosphorylation levels of Akt, ERK, p38, and JNK. Taken together, these findings suggest that DON exposure could induce cell damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in HaCaT cells through the activation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways.

T-2 toxin induces cardiotoxicity by activating ferroptosis and inhibiting heme oxygenase-1

T-2 toxin, a natural secondary sesquiterpenoid metabolite produced by numerous strains of Fusarium fungi, is prevalent in both contaminated food and the environment. T-2 toxin is known to be highly toxic to the cardiovascular system, but the precise mechanisms that lead to T-2 toxin-induced cardiotoxicity are not yet fully understood. Recent findings indicate that ferroptosis is a pivotal factor in cardiovascular damage and exhibits a strong correlation with the detrimental impacts of T-2 toxin. The present study was designed to examine the involvement of ferroptosis in T-2 toxin-induced cardiac injury. Male mice and human cardiomyocytes were subjected to T-2 toxin for 24 h to induce acute cardiotoxicity for in vivo and in vitro studies, respectively. Our results demonstrated that T-2 toxin increased reactive oxygen species production, malondialdehyde, and decreased glutathione/oxidized glutathione and adenosine triphosphate levels. Furthermore, T-2 toxin was observed to activate ferroptosis, as evidenced by an increase in iron (Fe2+) concentration and upregulation of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2, downregulation of glutathione peroxidase 4 and ferritin heavy chain 1, as well as ferroptotic morphological alterations. Inhibition of ferroptosis by Liproxstatin-1 reversed T-2 toxin-induced cardiac injury. Additionally, the downregulation of heme oxgenase-1 (HO-1) expression by T-2 toxin exacerbates ferroptosis and oxidative damage, which can be further aggravated by HO-1 inhibition with Sn-protoporphyrin. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of T-2 toxin-induced cardiotoxicity and suggest that targeting ferroptosis and HO-1 may represent a promising cardioprotective strategy against T-2 toxin.

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Toxigenic Fusarium asiaticum Integrating Recombinase Polymerase Amplification, CRISPR/Cas12a, and Lateral Flow Techniques

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a global cereal disease caused by a complex of Fusarium species. Both Fusarium graminearum and F. asiaticum are the causal agents of FHB in China. F. asiaticum is the predominant species in the Middle-Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (MLRYR) and southwest China. Therefore, detecting F. asiaticum in a timely manner is crucial for controlling the disease and preventing mycotoxins from entering the food chain. Here, we combined rapid genomic DNA extraction, recombinase polymerase amplification, Cas12a cleavage, and lateral flow detection techniques to develop a method for the rapid detection of F. asiaticum. The reaction conditions were optimized to provide a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective method for F. asiaticum detection. The optimized method demonstrated exceptional specificity in detecting F. asiaticum while not detecting any of the 14 other Fusarium strains and 3 non-Fusarium species. Additionally, it could detect F. asiaticum DNA at concentrations as low as 20 ag/μL, allowing for the diagnosis of F. asiaticum infection in maize and wheat kernels even after 3 days of inoculation. The developed assay will provide an efficient and robust detection platform to accelerate plant pathogen detection.

A review of anorexia induced by T-2 toxin

The presence of anorexia in animals is the most well-known clinical symptom of T-2 toxin poisoning. T-2 toxin is the most characteristic type A toxin in the trichothecene mycotoxins. The consumption of T-2 toxin can cause anorexic response in mice, rats, rabbits, and other animals. In this review, the basic information of T-2 toxin, appetite regulation mechanism and the molecular mechanism of T-2 toxin-induced anorectic response in animals are presented and discussed. The objective of this overview is to describe the research progress of anorexia in animals produced by T-2 toxin. T-2 toxin mainly causes antifeedant reaction through four pathways: vagus nerve, gastrointestinal hormone, neurotransmitter and cytokine. This review aims to give an academic basis and useable reference for the prevention and treatment of clinical symptoms of anorexia in animals resulting from T-2 toxin.

Tannic Acid Ameliorates Systemic Glucose and Lipid Metabolic Impairment Induced by Low-Dose T-2 Toxin Exposure

Subacute mycotoxin exposure in food is commonly overlooked. As one of the most toxic trichothecene mycotoxins, the T-2 toxin severely pollutes human foods and animal feeds. In our study, we investigated the effects of low-dose T-2 toxin on glucose and lipid metabolic function and further investigated the protective effect of tannic acid (TA) in C57BL/6J mice. Results showed that low-dose T-2 toxin significantly impaired blood glucose and lipid homeostasis, promoted ferroptosis in the pancreas and subsequent repression of insulin secretion in β-cells, and impacted hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism by targeted inhibition of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)/phosphatidylin-ositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway, which induced insulin resistance and steatosis in the liver. TA treatment attenuated pancreatic function and hepatic metabolism by ameliorating oxidative stress and insulin resistance in mice. These findings provide new perspectives on the toxic mechanism and intervention of chronic subacute toxicity of foodborne mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins in Cereal-Based Products and Their Impacts on the Health of Humans, Livestock Animals and Pets

Cereal grains are the most important food staples for human beings and livestock animals. They can be processed into various types of food and feed products such as bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, cake, snacks, beer, complete feed, and pet foods. However, cereal grains are vulnerable to the contamination of soil microorganisms, particularly molds. The toxigenic fungi/molds not only cause quality deterioration and grain loss, but also produce toxic secondary metabolites, mycotoxins, which can cause acute toxicity, death, and chronic diseases such as cancer, immunity suppression, growth impairment, and neural tube defects in humans, livestock animals and pets. To protect human beings and animals from these health risks, many countries have established/adopted regulations to limit exposure to mycotoxins. The purpose of this review is to update the evidence regarding the occurrence and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in cereal grains and cereal-derived food and feed products and their health impacts on human beings, livestock animals and pets. The effort for safe food and feed supplies including prevention technologies, detoxification technologies/methods and up-to-date regulation limits of frequently detected mycotoxins in cereal grains for food and feed in major cereal-producing countries are also provided. Some important areas worthy of further investigation are proposed.

Occurrence of Types A and B Trichothecenes in Cereal Products Sold in Romanian Markets

In view of the frequent occurrences of mycotoxins in cereals, this study assessed the presence of trichothecenes in 121 samples from Romanian markets. These samples were divided into five groups based on product type: (1) bread and bakery products containing white flour, (2) half-brown bread with whole wheat flour, (3) brown bread containing rye flour, (4) pasta, and (5) raw wheat. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was used to detect 13 different mycotoxins, which included the Type A compounds HT-2 toxin and T-2 toxin, as well as the Type B compounds deoxynivalenol and nivalenol. Results indicated trichothecene contamination in 90.08% of our samples, with deoxynivalenol predominating by at least 78% in each examined group. Co-occurrence of three or four trichothecenes were found in 23.85% of our samples. Our study underscores the necessity of consistent monitoring of staple foods to prevent the intake of harmful trichothecenes by consumers.

Development of two immunochromatographic test strips based on signal amplification and selenium nanoparticles for the rapid detection of T-2 mycotoxin

Conventional immunochromatographic test strips (ICSs) based on gold nanoparticle (AuNP) probes offer limited sensitivity. Here, AuNPs were separately labeled with monoclonal or secondary antibodies (MAb or SAb). In addition, spherical, homogeneously dispersed, and stable selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were also synthesized. By optimizing the preparation parameters, two ICSs based on the dual AuNP signal amplification (Duo-ICS) or SeNPs (Se-ICS) were developed for the rapid detection of T-2 mycotoxin. The detection sensitivities of the Duo-ICS and Se-ICS assays for T-2 were 1 ng/mL and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively, which were 3-fold and 15-fold more sensitive, respectively, than a conventional ICS. Furthermore, the ICSs were applied in the detection of T-2 in cereals, which requires higher sensitivity. Our findings indicate that both ICS systems can be used for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of T-2 toxin in cereals and potentially other sample types.

Mycotoxins on edible insects: Should we be worried?

Edible insects are a solid alternative to meet the growing demand for animal protein. However, there are doubts regarding the safety of insect consumption. Mycotoxins are substances of concern for food safety, as they may cause harmful effects on the human organism and accumulate in the tissues of some animals. This study focuses on the characteristics of the main mycotoxins, the mitigation of human consumption of contaminated insects, and the effects of mycotoxins on insect metabolism. To date, studies reported the interaction of the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1, and T-2, isolated or combined, in three insect species from Coleoptera and one from Diptera order. The use of rearing substrates with low mycotoxin contamination did not reduce the survival and development of insects. Fasting practices and replacing contaminated substrate with a decontaminated one decreased the concentration of mycotoxins in insects. There is no evidence that mycotoxins accumulate in the tissues of the insects' larvae. Coleoptera species showed high excretion capacity, while Hermetia illucens had a lower excretion capacity of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol. Thus, a substrate with low mycotoxin contamination could be used for raising edible insects, particularly from the Coleoptera order.

A biochemical, theoretical and immunohistochemical study comparing the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin and taurine on T-2 toxin induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Foodborne trichothecene T-2 Toxin, is a highly toxic metabolite produced by Fusarium species contaminating animal and human food, causing multiple organ failure and health hazards. T-2 toxins induce hepatotoxicity via oxidative stress causing hepatocytes cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. In this study, curcumin and taurine were investigated and compared as antioxidants against T-2-provoked hepatotoxicity. Methods: Wistar rats were administrated T-2 toxin sublethal oral dose (0.1 mg/kg) for 2 months, followed by curcumin (80 mg/kg) and taurine (50 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Biochemical assessment of liver enzymes, lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs), AFU, TNF-α, total glutathione, molecular docking, histological and immunohistochemical markers for anti-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), double-strand DNA damage (H2AX), regeneration (KI67) and apoptosis (Active caspase3) were done. Results and Discussion: Compared to T-2 toxin, curcumin and taurine treatment significantly ameliorated hepatoxicity as; hemoglobin, hematocrit and glutathione, hepatic glycogen, and KI-67 immune-reactive hepatocytes were significantly increased. Although, liver enzymes, inflammation, fibrosis, TGFβ1 immunoexpressing and H2AX and active caspase 3 positive hepatocytes were significantly decreased. Noteworthy, curcumin's therapeutic effect was superior to taurine by histomorphometry parameters. Furthermore, molecular docking of the structural influence of curcumin and taurine on the DNA sequence showed curcumin's higher binding affinity than taurine. Conclusion: Both curcumin and taurine ameliorated T-2 induced hepatotoxicity as strong antioxidative agents with more effectiveness for curcumin.

Free and Modified Mycotoxins in Organic and Conventional Oats (Avena sativa L.) Grown in Scotland

Small grain cereals are frequently infected with mycotoxigenic Fusarium fungi. Oats have a particularly high risk of contamination with type A trichothecene mycotoxins; their glucoside conjugates have also been reported. Agronomy practices, cereal variety and weather conditions have been suggested to play a role in Fusarium infection in oats. The current study investigates concentrations of free and conjugated Fusarium mycotoxins in organic and conventional oats grown in Scotland. In 2019, 33 milling oat samples (12 organic, 21 conventional) were collected from farmers across Scotland, together with sample questionnaires. Samples were analysed for 12 mycotoxins (type A trichothecenes T-2-toxin, HT-2-toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol; type B trichothecenes deoxynivalenol, nivalenol; zearalenone and their respective glucosides) using LC-MS/MS. The prevalence of type A trichothecenes T-2/HT-2 was very high (100% of conventional oats, 83% of organic oats), whereas type B trichothecenes were less prevalent, and zearalenone was rarely found. T-2-glucoside and deoxynivalenol-glucoside were the most prevalent conjugated mycotoxins (36 and 33%), and co-occurrence between type A and B trichothecenes were frequently observed (66% of samples). Organic oats were contaminated at significantly lower average concentrations than conventional oats, whereas the effect of weather parameters were not statistically significant. Our results clearly indicate that free and conjugated T-2- and HT-2-toxins pose a major risk to Scottish oat production and that organic production and crop rotation offer potential mitigation strategies.

Development of a time-resolved immunochromatographic strip for rapid and quantitative determination of deoxynivalenol

Deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination of food crops and feeds is almost impossible to avoid completely; however, through best management practices, this risk can be effectively managed and maximumly mitigated. Accurate and rapid detection of DON contamination as early in the entire value chain as possible is critical. To achieve this goal, we developed a DON test strip based on time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) and a specific DON monoclonal antibody for the rapid quantification of DON in food crops and feeds. The strip displayed a good linearity (R2 = 0.9926), with a limit of quantification of 28.16 μg/kg, a wide linear range of 50 ~ 10,000 μg/kg. The intra-batch coefficient of variation (CV) and the inter-batch CV was &lt;5.00 and 6.60%, respectively. This TRFIA-DON test strip was applied to detect DON in real samples, and the accuracy and reliability were confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results showed that the relative standard deviation between the DON strips and LC-MS/MS was &lt;9%. The recovery rates in corn samples ranged from 92 to 104%. The established TRFIA-DON test strip had the characteristics of high sensitivity, high accuracy, and a wide linear range which was suitable for rapid and quantitative determination of DON in food crops and feeds at both on-site and laboratory.

Prevalence and Concentration of Mycotoxins in Animal Feed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study seeks a comprehensive meta-analysis of mycotoxin contaminants in animal feed consumed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The obtained articles were reviewed, and 49 articles that investigated the contamination of mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin, fumonisins (FUM), and ochratoxin A (OTA), in feed samples or components of animal feed in the MENA region were selected. The titles of the final articles included in the study were meta-analyzed. Necessary information was extracted and categorized from the articles, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata software. The highest contamination was in dry bread (80%), and Algeria was the most contaminated country (87% of animal feed), with the most mycotoxins contaminating AFs (47%) and FUM (47%). The highest concentration of mycotoxins in animal feed is related to FUM (1240.01 μg/kg). Climate change, economic situation, agricultural and processing methods, the nature of the animal feed, and improper use of food waste in animal feed are among the most critical factors that are effective in the occurrence of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed in MENA. Control of influential factors in the occurrence of contaminations and rapid screening with accurate identification methods to prevent the occurrence and spread of mycotoxin contamination of animal feed seem important.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of a Novel Multicomponent Mycotoxins Detoxification Agent in the Presence of AFB1 and T-2 Toxin on Broiler Chicks

This experimental study was conducted to determine the ability of a novel mycotoxins detoxification agent (MR) at a concentration of 0.2% to reduce the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) or T-2 toxin, alone or in combination, and to examine its effect on performance, pathohistological changes (PH) and the residue of these toxins in the tissues of broiler chicks. A total of 96 broiler chicks were divided into eight equal groups: group C, which served as control (without any additives); group MR, which received the novel detoxification agent (supplemented with 0.2%); group E-I (0.1 mg AFB1/kg of diet); group E-II (0.1 mg AFB1/kg of diet + MR 0.2%); group E-III (0.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet); group E-IV (0.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet + 0.2% MR); group E-V (combination of 0.1 mg AFB1/kg, 0.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg of diet); and group E-VI (combination of 0.1 mg AFB1/kg, 0.5 mg T-2 toxin + 0.2% MR). Results indicate that feeds containing AFB1 and T-2 toxin, alone or in combination, adversely affected the health and performance of poultry. However, the addition of MR to diets containing AFB1 and T-2 toxin singly and in combination exerted a positive effect on body weight, feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency and microscopic lesions in visceral organs. Residual concentration of AFB1 in liver samples was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when chicks were fed diets supplemented with 0.2% of MR.

Mycotoxin Contamination in Hazelnut: Current Status, Analytical Strategies, and Future Prospects

Hazelnuts represent a potential source of mycotoxins that pose a public health issue due to their increasing consumption as food ingredients worldwide. Hazelnuts contamination by mycotoxins may derive from fungal infections occurring during fruit development, or in postharvest. The present review considers the available data on mycotoxins detected in hazelnuts, on fungal species reported as infecting hazelnut fruit, and general analytical approaches adopted for mycotoxin investigation. Prompted by the European safety regulation concerning hazelnuts, many analytical methods have focused on the determination of levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total aflatoxins. An overview of the available data shows that a multiplicity of fungal species and further mycotoxins have been detected in hazelnuts, including anthraquinones, cyclodepsipeptides, ochratoxins, sterigmatocystins, trichothecenes, and more. Hence, the importance is highlighted in developing suitable methods for the concurrent detection of a broad spectrum of these mycotoxins. Moreover, control strategies to be employed before and after harvest in the aim of controlling the fungal contamination, and in reducing or inactivating mycotoxins in hazelnuts, are discussed.

Type B Trichothecenes in Cereal Grains and Their Products: Recent Advances on Occurrence, Toxicology, Analysis and Post-Harvest Decontamination Strategies

Type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G) are secondary toxic metabolites produced mainly by mycotoxigenic Fusarium fungi and have been recognized as natural contaminants in cereals and cereal-based foods. The latest studies have proven the various negative effects of type B trichothecenes on human health. Due to the widespread occurrence of Fusarium species, contamination by these mycotoxins has become an important aspect for public health and agro-food systems worldwide. Hence, their monitoring and surveillance in various foods have received a significant deal of attention in recent years. In this review, an up-to-date overview of the occurrence profile of major type B trichothecenes and DON-3G in cereal grains and their toxicological implications are outlined. Furthermore, current trends in analytical methodologies for their determination are overviewed. This review also covers the factors affecting the production of these mycotoxins, as well as the management strategies currently employed to mitigate their contamination in foods. Information presented in this review provides good insight into the progress that has been achieved in the last years for monitoring type B trichothecenes and DON-3G, and also would help the researchers in their further investigations on metabolic pathway analysis and toxicological studies of these Fusarium mycotoxins.

A novel toxic effect of foodborne trichothecenes: The exacerbation of genotoxicity

Trichothecenes (TCT) are very common mycotoxins. While the effects of DON, the most prevalent TCT, have been extensively studied, less is known about the effect of other trichothecenes. DON has ribotoxic, pro-inflammatory, and cytotoxic potential and induces multiple toxic effects in humans and animals. Although DON is not genotoxic by itself, it has recently been shown that this toxin exacerbates the genotoxicity induced by model or bacterial genotoxins. Here, we show that five TCT, namely T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon-X (FX), and the newly discovered NX toxin, also exacerbate the DNA damage inflicted by various genotoxins. The exacerbation was dose dependent and observed with phleomycin, a model genotoxin, captan, a pesticide with genotoxic potential, and colibactin, a bacterial genotoxin produced by the intestinal microbiota. For this newly described effect, the trichothecenes ranked in the following order: T-2>DAS > FX > NIV ≥ DON ≥ NX. The genotoxic exacerbating effect of TCT correlated with their ribotoxic potential, as measured by the inhibition of protein synthesis. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that TCT, which are not genotoxic by themselves, exacerbate DNA damage induced by various genotoxins. Therefore, foodborne TCT could enhance the carcinogenic potential of genotoxins present in the diet or produced by intestinal bacteria.

Emerging health threat and cost of Fusarium mycotoxins in European wheat

Mycotoxins harm human and livestock health, while damaging economies. Here we reveal the changing threat of Fusarium head blight (FHB) mycotoxins in European wheat, using data from the European Food Safety Agency and agribusiness (BIOMIN, World Mycotoxin Survey) for ten years (2010-2019). We show persistent, high, single- and multi-mycotoxin contamination alongside changing temporal-geographical distributions, indicative of altering FHB disease pressure and pathogen populations, highlighting the potential synergistic negative health consequences and economic cost.

Phenotyping Fusarium head blight through seed morphology characteristics using RGB imaging

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease affecting wheat and thus poses a major threat to wheat production. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of image analysis methods to predict FHB using disease-infected grains; however, few have looked at the final application, considering the relationship between cost and benefit, resolution, and accuracy. The conventional screening of FHB resistance of large-scale samples is still dependent on low-throughput visual inspections. This study aims to compare the performance of two cost-benefit seed image analysis methods, the free software "SmartGrain" and the fully automated commercially available instrument "Cgrain Value™" by assessing 16 seed morphological traits of winter wheat to predict FHB. The analysis was carried out on a seed set of FHB which was visually assessed as to the severity. The dataset is composed of 432 winter wheat genotypes that were greenhouse-inoculated. The predictions from each method, in addition to the predictions combined from the results of both methods, were compared with the disease visual scores. The results showed that Cgrain Value™ had a higher prediction accuracy of R ² = 0.52 compared with SmartGrain for which R ² = 0.30 for all morphological traits. However, the results combined from both methods showed the greatest prediction performance of R ² = 0.58. Additionally, a subpart of the morphological traits, namely, width, length, thickness, and color features, showed a higher correlation with the visual scores compared with the other traits. Overall, both methods were related to the visual scores. This study shows that these affordable imaging methods could be effective to predict FHB in seeds and enable us to distinguish minor differences in seed morphology, which could lead to a precise performance selection of disease-free seeds/grains.

Electronic Nose for the Rapid Detection of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat Using Classification and Regression Trees

Mycotoxin represents a significant concern for the safety of food and feed products, and wheat represents one of the most susceptible crops. To manage this issue, fast, reliable, and low-cost test methods are needed for regulated mycotoxins. This study aimed to assess the potential use of the electronic nose for the early identification of wheat samples contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) above a fixed threshold. A total of 214 wheat samples were collected from commercial fields in northern Italy during the periods 2014−2015 and 2017−2018 and analyzed for DON contamination with a conventional method (GC-MS) and using a portable e-nose “AIR PEN 3” (Airsense Analytics GmbH, Schwerin, Germany), equipped with 10 metal oxide sensors for different categories of volatile substances. The Machine Learning approach “Classification and regression trees” (CART) was used to categorize samples according to four DON contamination thresholds (1750, 1250, 750, and 500 μg/kg). Overall, this process yielded an accuracy of >83% (correct prediction of DON levels in wheat samples). These findings suggest that the e-nose combined with CART can be an effective quick method to distinguish between compliant and DON-contaminated wheat lots. Further validation including more samples above the legal limits is desirable before concluding the validity of the method.

Electrochemical aptasensing strategy based on a multivariate polymertitanium-metal-organic framework for zearalenone analysis

An electrochemical aptasensing strategy was developed with a novel bioplatform based on a multivariate titanium metal-organic framework, i.e. MTV polyMOF(Ti), to detect zearalenone (ZEN). MTV polyMOF(Ti) was prepared by using mixed linkers of polyether polymer (pbdc-xa or L₈, pbdc = poly(1,4-benzenedicarboxylate) and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc or L₀) as well as tetrabutyl titanate as nodes (MTV polyMOF(Ti)-L_8,0). Compared with Ti-MOFs synthesized by using the single ligand of L₈ or L₀, MTV polyMOF(Ti)-L_8,0 shows more porous structure assembled with multilayered nanosheets. In light of the improved electrochemical activity and strong bioaffinity to the aptamer, the aptasensor based on MTV polyMOF(Ti)-L_8,0 shows excellent performance for detecting ZEN with the ultralow detection limit at fg mL^-1 level in the linear range of 10 fg mL^-1 to 10 ng mL^-1, along with good selectivity, reproducibility, stability, regenerability, and applicability.

Deterministic and Probabilistic Dietary Exposure Assessment to Deoxynivalenol in Spain and the Catalonia Region

Deoxynivalenol (DON) remains one of the most concerning mycotoxins produced by the Fusarium genus due to the wide occurrence in highly consumed cereal-based food and its associated toxicological effects. Previous studies conducted in Spain and other European countries suggested that some vulnerable groups such as children could be exceeding the tolerable daily intakes. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive and updated dietary exposure assessment study in Spain, with a specific analysis in the region of Catalonia. Cereal-based food samples collected during 2019 were analysed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for multi-mycotoxin detection including DON and its main metabolites and derivatives. Consumption data were gathered from the nation-wide food surveys ENALIA and ENALIA2 conducted in Spain, and a specific survey conducted in Catalonia. The data were combined using deterministic and semi-parametric probabilistic methods. The results showed that DON was widely present in cereal-based food highly consumed in Spain and the Catalonia region. Exposure to DON among the adult population was globally low; however, among infants aged 3–9 years, it resulted in the median of 192 ng/kg body weight/day and the 95th percentiles of 604 ng/kg body weight/day, that would exceed the most conservative safety threshold for infants. Bread and pasta were the main contributing foodstuffs to the global exposure to DON, even among infants; thus, those foods should be considered a priority for food control or to develop strategies to reduce the exposure. In any case, further toxicological and epidemiological studies are required in order to refine the safety thresholds accounting for the sensitivity of the infant population.

Progress and challenges in sensing of mycotoxins using molecularly imprinted polymers

Mycotoxin is toxic secondary metabolite formed by certain filamentous fungi. This toxic compound can enter the food chain through contamination of food (e.g., by colonization of toxigenic fungi on food). In light of the growing concerns on the health hazards posed by mycotoxins, it is desirable to develop reliable analytical tools for their detection in food products in both sensitive and efficient manner. For this purpose, the potential utility of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) has been explored due to their meritful properties (e.g., large number of tailor-made binding sites, sensitive template molecules, high recognition specificity, and structure predictability). This review addresses the recent advances in the application of MIPs toward the sensing of various mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins and patulin) along with their fabrication strategies. Then, performance evaluation is made for various types of MIP- and non-MIP-based sensing platforms built for the listed target mycotoxins in terms of quality assurance such as limit of detection (LOD). Further, the present challenges in the MIP-based sensing application of mycotoxins are discussed along with the future outlook in this research field.

Effects of deoxynivalenol on the histomorphology of the liver and kidneys and the expression of MAPKs in weaned rabbits

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is widely present in grain-based feeds and food. It has attracted great attention due to its high contamination rate and strong toxicity. The objective of this study was to analyse the toxic effects of DON on the liver and kidneys of weaned rabbits. 45 weaned male rabbits were allocated into control, low DON dose (0.5 mg/kg body weight), and high DON dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) groups. Saline or DON was administrated intragastrically in the empty stomach of rabbits every morning. After 24 days of treatment, liver and kidney samples were collected for histological, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry analyses. Haematoxylin eosin staining showed that 0.5 mg/kg BW DON caused mild damage to the liver and kidney morphology, while 1.5 mg/kg body weight DON resulted in hepatic vacuolation and necrosis, as well as tubular stenosis and lesions. Data from qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry revealed that the mRNA and protein expression and the distribution range of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase were increased in the liver and kidneys. In conclusion, DON at the tested concentrations damaged the liver and kidneys of rabbits by affecting the expression of key proteins from the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway. The damage extent was proportional to the amount of DON ingested.

Fusarium culmorum Produces NX-2 Toxin Simultaneously with Deoxynivalenol and 3-Acetyl-Deoxynivalenol or Nivalenol

Fusarium culmorum is a major pathogen of grain crops. Infected plants accumulate deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), or nivalenol (NIV), which are mycotoxins of the trichothecene B group. These toxins are also produced by F. graminearum species complex. New trichothecenes structurally similar to trichothecenes B but lacking the carbonyl group on C-8, designated NX toxins, were recently discovered in atypical isolates of F. graminearum from North America. Only these isolates and a few strains of a yet to be characterized Fusarium species from South Africa are known to produce NX-2 and other NX toxins. Here, we report that among 20 F. culmorum strains isolated from maize, wheat, and oat in Europe and Asia over a period of 70 years, 18 strains produced NX-2 simultaneously with 3-ADON and DON or NIV. Rice cultures of strains producing 3-ADON accumulated NX-2 in amounts corresponding to 2−8% of 3-ADON (1.2−36 mg/kg). A strain producing NIV accumulated NX-2 and NIV at comparable amounts (13.6 and 10.3 mg/kg, respectively). In F. graminearum, producers of NX-2 possess a special variant of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase encoded by TRI1 that is unable to oxidize C-8. In F. culmorum, producers and nonproducers of NX-2 possess identical TRI1; the reason for the production of NX-2 is unknown. Our results indicate that the production of NX-2 simultaneously with trichothecenes B is a common feature of F. culmorum.

T-2 toxin-induced femur lesion is accompanied by autophagy and apoptosis associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mice

T-2 toxin is one of the most common mycotoxins found in grain foods, animal feed, and other agricultural by-products causing food contamination and health threat. The skeletal system is the main target tissue for T-2 toxin. T-2 toxin exposure is also recognized as a potential contributor to multiple types of bone diseases, including Kashin-Beck disease. However, the mechanisms of T-2 toxin-induced bone toxicity remain unclear. In this study, 60 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed T-2 toxin with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg body weight by intragastric administration for 28 days, respectively. Femora were collected for the detections of femur lesion, bone formation factors, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our research showed that T-2 toxin caused bone formation disorders, presenting as the reduction of the BMD and femur length, bone structure changes and abnormal bone formation proteins expressions, along with enhanced oxidative stress. Meanwhile, T-2 toxin increased expressions of autophagy-related proteins (Beclin 1, ATG5, p62, and LC3), and promoted apoptosis in mouse femur. Moreover, T-2 toxin suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling and expressions of downstream target genes. Taken together, our data indicated T-2 toxin-induced femur lesion was accompanied by autophagy and apoptosis, which was associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

The control of Fusarium growth and decontamination of produced mycotoxins by lactic acid bacteria

Global crop and food contamination with mycotoxins are one of the primary worldwide concerns, while there are several restrictions regarding approaching conventional physical and chemical mycotoxins decontamination methods due to nutrition loss, sensory attribute reduction in foods, chemical residual, inconvenient operation, high cost of equipment, and high energy consumption of some methods. In this regard, the overarching challenges of mycotoxin contamination in food and food crops require the development of biological decontamination strategies. Using certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as generally recognized safe (GRAS) compounds is one of the most effective alternatives due to their potential to release antifungal metabolites against various fungal factors species. This review highlights the potential applications of LAB as biodetoxificant agents and summarizes their decontamination activities against Fusarium growth and Fusarium mycotoxins released into food/feed. Firstly, the occurrence of Fusarium and the instrumental and bioanalytical methods for the analysis of mycotoxins were in-depth discussed. Upgraded knowledge on the biosynthesis pathway of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium offers new insightful ideas clarifying the function of these secondary metabolites. Moreover, the characterization of LAB metabolites and their impact on the decontamination of the mycotoxin from Fusarium, besides the main mechanisms of mycotoxin decontamination, are covered. While the thematic growth inhibition of Fusarium and decontamination of their mycotoxin by LAB is very complex, approaching certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is worth deeper investigations.

Structure Elucidation and Anti-Tumor Activities of Trichothecenes from Endophytic Fungus Fusariumsporotrichioides

The secondary metabolites of Fusarium sporotrichioides, an endophytic fungus with anti-tumor activity isolated from Rauvolfia yunnanensis Tsiang, were investigated. Five trichothecenes, including one previously undescribed metabolite, were isolated and identified. Their structures were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic methods; the absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by the ECD method. Surprisingly, 8-n-butyrylneosolaniol (3) exhibited stronger anti-tumor activity than T-2 toxin against Huh-7 cell line, with an IC₅₀ value of 265.9 nM. 8-n-butyrylneosolaniol (3) promoted apoptosis induction in Huh-7 cells. Moreover, cell cycle analysis showed that cell cycle arrest caused by 8-n-butyrylneosolaniol (3) at the G2/M phase resulted in cell proliferation inhibition and pro-apoptotic activity. Further studies showed a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and a significant increase in ROS generation, which led to the activation of caspase cascades and subsequent cleavage of PARP fragments. In conclusion, 8-n-butyrylneosolaniol (3) induced cell apoptosis in Huh-7 cells via the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, which could be a leading compound for anti-tumor agents.

Toxic mechanisms of the trichothecenes T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol on protein synthesis

The toxic mechanisms of trichothecenes, including T-2 toxin and deoxynivalenol (DON), are closely related with their effects on protein synthesis. Increasing lines of evidence show that T-2 toxin can reduce the levels of tight junction proteins, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by disrupting cellular barriers and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) and Nrf2/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathways. Moreover, it can inhibit aggrecan synthesis, thus causing Kashin-Beck disease. Regarding type B trichothecene, DON inhibits activation marker and β-catenin synthesis by acting on immune cells and the wingless/integrated (Wnt) pathway; it also inhibits cell proliferation and immune surveillance. In addition, DON has been shown to destroy tight junctions, glucose transport, and tumor endothelial marker 8, thus disturbing intestinal function and changing cell migration. This review summarizes the inhibitory effects of the trichothecenes T-2 toxin and DON on different protein synthesis, while discussing their underlying mechanisms. Focus is given to the effects of these toxins on tight junctions, aggrecan, activation markers, and hormones including testosterone under the influence of steroidogenic enzymes. This review can extend the current understanding of the effects of trichothecenes on protein synthesis and help to further understand their toxic mechanisms.

Reduction of the Fusarium Mycotoxins: Deoxynivalenol, Nivalenol and Zearalenone by Selected Non-Conventional Yeast Strains in Wheat Grains and Bread

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, are important contaminants in food and agricultural industries around the world. These toxins have a multidirectional toxic effect on living organisms, causing damage to the kidneys and liver, and disrupting the functions of the digestive tract and the immune system. In recent years, much attention has been paid to the biological control of pathogens and the mycotoxins they produce. In this study, selected yeasts were used to reduce the occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), and zearalenone (ZEA) produced by Fusarium culmorum, F. graminearum, and F. poae on wheat grain and bread. In a laboratory experiment, an effective reduction in the content of DON, NIV, and ZEA was observed in bread prepared by baking with the addition of an inoculum of the test yeast, ranging from 16.4% to 33.4%, 18.5% to 36.2% and 14.3% to 35.4%, respectively. These results indicate that the selected yeast isolates can be used in practice as efficient mycotoxin decontamination agents in the food industry.

Biological Detoxification of Mycotoxins: Current Status and Future Advances

Mycotoxins are highly toxic metabolites produced by fungi that pose a huge threat to human and animal health. Contamination of food and feed with mycotoxins is a worldwide issue, which leads to huge financial losses, annually. Decades of research have developed various approaches to degrade mycotoxins, among which the biological methods have been proved to have great potential and advantages. This review provides an overview on the important advances in the biological removal of mycotoxins over the last decade. Here, we provided further insight into the chemical structures and the toxicity of the main mycotoxins. The innovative strategies including mycotoxin degradation by novel probiotics are summarized in an in-depth discussion on potentialities and limitations. We prospected the promising future for the development of multifunctional approaches using recombinant enzymes and microbial consortia for the simultaneous removal of multiple mycotoxins.

T-2 toxin induces articular cartilage damage by increasing the expression of MMP-13 via the TGF-β receptor pathway

T-2 toxin pre-disposes individuals to osteoarthritis, Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). The major pathological change associated with KBD is the degradation of the articular cartilage matrix. Herein, we investigated the key molecules that regulate T-2 toxin-mediated cartilage degradation. Potential KBD treatments were also investigated. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the T-2 toxin group and the control group. The T-2 toxin group received 100 ng/g BW/day, whereas the control group received a similar dose of PBS. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and TGF-β receptor I/II (TGF-βRI/II) was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. C28/I2 chondrocytes were exposed to TGF-βRI/II binding inhibitor (GW788388) for 24 h before incubation in different T-2 toxin concentrations (0, 6, 12, and 24 ng/mL for 72 h). The expression of mRNA for TGF-βRI/II, MMP-13 and proteins for MMP-13, and Smad-2 in chondrocytes were analyzed using RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Safranin O staining revealed that T-2 toxin treatment modulated the expression of articular cartilage matrix. On the other hand, T-2 toxin treatment sharply increased the expression of MMP-13, TGF-βRI, and TGF-βRII in the rat cartilages. Interestingly, blocking the TGF-βRs-smad 2 signaling pathway using GW788388 abrogated the effect of T-2 toxin on upregulating MMP-13 expression. The expression of MMP-13 in chondrocytes induced with T-2 toxin is regulated via the TGF-βRs signaling pathway. As such, inhibiting the expression of TGF-βRs is a potential KBD treatment.

Antifungal Peptides and Proteins to Control Toxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis

The global challenge to prevent fungal spoilage and mycotoxin contamination on food and feed requires the development of new antifungal strategies. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) with antifungal activity are gaining much interest as natural antifungal compounds due to their properties such as structure diversity and function, antifungal spectrum, mechanism of action, high stability and the availability of biotechnological production methods. Given their multistep mode of action, the development of fungal resistance to AMPs is presumed to be slow or delayed compared to conventional fungicides. Interestingly, AMPs also accomplish important biological functions other than antifungal activity, including anti-mycotoxin biosynthesis activity, which opens novel aspects for their future use in agriculture and food industry to fight mycotoxin contamination. AMPs can reach intracellular targets and exert their activity by mechanisms other than membrane permeabilization. The mechanisms through which AMPs affect mycotoxin production are varied and complex, ranging from oxidative stress to specific inhibition of enzymatic components of mycotoxin biosynthetic pathways. This review presents natural and synthetic antifungal AMPs from different origins which are effective against mycotoxin-producing fungi, and aims at summarizing current knowledge concerning their additional effects on mycotoxin biosynthesis. Antifungal AMPs properties and mechanisms of action are also discussed.

The excavation of novel toxin-resistance proteins against trichothecenes toxins in Paramyrothecium roridum

Trichothecene toxins cause serious hazard towards human health and economical crops. However, there are no sufficient molecular strategies to reduce the hazard of trichothecene toxins. Thus it is urgent to exploit novel approaches to control the hazard of trichothecenes. In this study, four trichothecene toxin-resistance genes including mfs1, GNAT1, TRP1 and tri12 in Paramyrothecium roridum were excavated based on genome sequencing results, and then expressed in toxin-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ5464, the toxin resistance genes pdr5, pdr10 and pdr15 of which were firstly knocked out simultaneously by the introduction of TAA stop codon employing CRISPR/Cas9 system. Therefore, three novel hazardous toxin-resistance genes mfs1, GNAT1, TRP1 in P. roridum were firstly excavated by the co-incubation of DON toxin and toxin resistant genes-containing BJ5464 strains. The in vitro function and properties of novel toxin-resistance genes coding proteins including GNAT1, MFS1 and TRP1 were identified by heterologous expression and cellular location analysis as well as in vitro biochemical reaction. The excavation of novel trichothecene toxin-resistance genes provide novel molecular clues for controlling the harm of trichothecenes, meanwhile, this study will also pave a new way for the yield improvement of trichothecenes by heterologous expression to facilitate the development of trichothecenes as anti-tumor lead compounds.

T-2 toxin causes dysfunction of Sertoli cells by inducing oxidative stress

T-2 toxin is an inevitable mycotoxin in food products and feeds. It is a proven toxicant impairing the male reproductive system. However, previous studies have concentrated on the toxic effect of T-2 toxin on Leydig cells, with little attention on the Sertoli cell cytotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the toxic mechanism of T-2 toxin on Sertoli cells. The Sertoli cell line (TM4 cell) was cultured and exposed to different concentrations of T-2 toxin with/without N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) for 24 h. A CCK-8 assay then measured the cell viability. In addition, the expression of TM4 cell biomarkers (FSHR and ABP) and functional factors (occludin (Ocln), zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), Connexin 43 (Cx-43), and N-Cadherin (N-cad)) were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The oxidative stress status (ROS, MDA, CAT, and SOD) and apoptosis rate, including the caspase-9, 8, and 3 activities in TM4 cells, were analyzed. We established that (1): T-2 toxin decreased TM4 cells viability and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 8.10 nM. (2): T-2 toxin-induced oxidative stress, evidenced by increased ROS and MDA contents, and inhibited CAT and SOD activities. (3): T-2 toxin inhibited FSHR, ABP, ocln, ZO-1, Cx-43, and N-Cad expressions. (4): T-2 toxin promoted TM4 cell apoptosis and caspase-9, 8, and 3 activities. (5): N-acetyl-L-cysteine relieved oxidative stress, functional impairment, and apoptosis in TM4 cells treated with T-2 toxin. Thus, T-2 toxin induced TM4 cell dysfunction through ROS-induced apoptosis.

T-2 Toxin-The Most Toxic Trichothecene Mycotoxin: Metabolism, Toxicity, and Decontamination Strategies

Among trichothecenes, T-2 toxin is the most toxic fungal secondary metabolite produced by different Fusarium species. Moreover, T-2 is the most common cause of poisoning that results from the consumption of contaminated cereal-based food and feed reported among humans and animals. The food and feed most contaminated with T-2 toxin is made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, and maize. After exposition or ingestion, T-2 is immediately absorbed from the alimentary tract or through the respiratory mucosal membranes and transported to the liver as a primary organ responsible for toxin's metabolism. Depending on the age, way of exposure, and dosage, intoxication manifests by vomiting, feed refusal, stomach necrosis, and skin irritation, which is rarely observed in case of mycotoxins intoxication. In order to eliminate T-2 toxin, various decontamination techniques have been found to mitigate the concentration of T-2 toxin in agricultural commodities. However, it is believed that 100% degradation of this toxin could be not possible. In this review, T-2 toxin toxicity, metabolism, and decontamination strategies are presented and discussed.