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Arce-López B, Coton M, Coton E, Hymery N. Occurrence of the two major regulated mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1, in cereal and cereal-based products in Europe and toxicological effects: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 109:104489. [PMID: 38844151 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Among cereal contaminants, mycotoxins are of concern due to their importance in terms of food and feed safety. The difficulty in establishing a diagnosis for mycotoxicosis relies on the fact that the effects are most often subclinical for chronic exposure and the most common scenario is multi-contamination by various toxins. Mycotoxin co-occurrence is a major food safety concern as additive or even synergic toxic impacts may occur, but also regarding current regulations as they mainly concern individual mycotoxin levels in specific foods and feed in the food chain. However, due to the large number of possible mycotoxin combinations, there is still limited knowledge on co-exposure toxicity data, which depends on several parameters. In this context, this systematic review aims to provide an overview of the toxic effects of two regulated mycotoxins, namely ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1. This review focused on the 2012-2022 period and analysed the occurrence in Europe of the selected mycotoxins in different food matrices (cereals and cereal-derived products), and their toxic impact, alone or in combination, on in vitro intestinal and hepatic human cells. To better understand and evaluate the associated risks, further research is needed using new approach methodologies (NAM), such as in vitro 3D models. KEY CONTRIBUTION: Cereals and their derived products are the most important food source for humans and feed for animals worldwide. This manuscript is a state of the art review of the literature over the last ten years on ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1 mycotoxins in these products in Europe as well as their toxicological effects, alone and in combination, on human cells. Future perspectives and some challenges regarding the assessment of toxicological effects of mycotoxins are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Arce-López
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Monika Coton
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Emmanuel Coton
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France
| | - Nolwenn Hymery
- Univ. Brest, INRAE, Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et Ecologie Microbienne, Plouzané F-29280, France.
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2
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Wang P, Wang H, Wang X, Li Y, Sun J, Wang X, Zhang G. Mycotoxins in grains (products), Gansu province, China and risk assessment. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2024; 17:101-109. [PMID: 38234288 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2023.2300652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the dietary exposure towards mycotoxins of residents in Gansu province, China, from 2014-2020 through surveillance data on mycotoxins in grains and grain products. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), Deoxynivalenol (DON), 3- and 15-Acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON and 15-ADON), Tentoxin (TEN), Tenuazonic acid (TeA) and Zearalenone (ZEN) in 863 grains and grain products were detected by HPLC-MS and UPLC-MS. DON was the most detected mycotoxin of all samples. For women, the average dietary exposure to DON was 1.49 μg/kg bw/day, with 55.8% of the individuals eating dried noodles exceeding tolerable daily intake. The hazard quotient values were 1.24-12.60, so greater than 1 for DON at the average, 90th percentile, 95th percentile, and maximum levels: 44.6% of the HQ values for men and 45.7% for women were greater than 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Haixia Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Yongjun Li
- Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianyun Sun
- Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
| | - Gexiang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, PR China
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3
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Berzina Z, Pavlenko R, Bartkiene E, Bartkevics V. Mycotoxins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal dietary supplements. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS. PART B, SURVEILLANCE 2024; 17:180-192. [PMID: 38629617 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2024.2332516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
The market demand for herbal dietary supplements is rapidly growing and such products are becoming more common and accessible to consumers. However, the knowledge about their safety remains incomplete. Herbal dietary supplements are one of the food groups that can contribute significantly to human health concerns arising from chronic exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids and mycotoxins. This study aimed to simultaneously determine 79 natural contaminants, including mycotoxins, as well as pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids in herbal dietary supplements in one analytical run. Exposure assessment and human health risks were assessed for all compounds included in this study. The total concentration of naturally occurring contaminants in herbal dietary supplements reached 5.3 mg kg-1 and the most frequently detected mycotoxins were tentoxin and alternariol monomethyl ether. The latter was detected with the highest frequency, reaching concentrations up to 2.5 mg kg-1. The obtained results indicate a potential risk to public health related to herbal dietary supplement consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Berzina
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Romans Pavlenko
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
| | - Elena Bartkiene
- Department of Food Safety and Quality, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR", Riga, Latvia
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
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4
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Murtaza B, Li X, Nawaz MY, Saleemi MK, Li G, Jin B, Wang L, Xu Y. Toxicodynamic of combined mycotoxins: MicroRNAs and acute-phase proteins as diagnostic biomarkers. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13338. [PMID: 38629461 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Mycotoxins, ubiquitous contaminants in food, present a global threat to human health and well-being. Mitigation efforts, such as the implementation of sound agricultural practices, thorough food processing, and the advancement of mycotoxin control technologies, have been instrumental in reducing mycotoxin exposure and associated toxicity. To comprehensively assess mycotoxins and their toxicodynamic implications, the deployment of effective and predictive strategies is imperative. Understanding the manner of action, transformation, and cumulative toxic effects of mycotoxins, moreover, their interactions with food matrices can be gleaned through gene expression and transcriptome analyses at cellular and molecular levels. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) govern the expression of target genes and enzymes that play pivotal roles in physiological, pathological, and toxicological responses, whereas acute phase proteins (APPs) exert regulatory control over the metabolism of therapeutic agents, both endogenously and posttranscriptionally. Consequently, this review aims to consolidate current knowledge concerning the regulatory role of miRNAs in the initiation of toxicological pathways by mycotoxins and explores the potential of APPs as biomarkers following mycotoxin exposure. The findings of this research highlight the potential utility of miRNAs and APPs as indicators for the detection and management of mycotoxins in food through biological processes. These markers offer promising avenues for enhancing the safety and quality of food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Murtaza
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Dalian SEM Bioengineering Technology Co., Ltd, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | | | | | - Gen Li
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Bowen Jin
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
| | - Lili Wang
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongping Xu
- School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China
- Dalian SEM Bioengineering Technology Co., Ltd, Dalian, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Crudo F, Dellafiora L, Hong C, Burger L, Jobst M, Del Favero G, Marko D. Combined in vitro and in silico mechanistic approach to explore the potential of Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol and altertoxin II to hamper γH2AX formation in DNA damage signaling pathways. Toxicol Lett 2024; 394:1-10. [PMID: 38403206 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Risk assessment of food and environmental contaminants is faced by substantial data gaps and novel strategies are needed to support science-based regulatory actions. The Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol (AOH) and altertoxin II (ATXII) have garnered attention for their possible genotoxic effects. Nevertheless, data currently available are rather scattered, hindering a comprehensive hazard characterization. This study combined in vitro/in silico approaches to elucidate the potential of AOH and ATXII to induce double-strand breaks (DSBs) in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, it examines the impact of co-exposure to AOH and the DSB-inducing drug doxorubicin (Doxo) on γH2AX expression. AOH slightly increased γH2AX expression, whereas ATXII did not elicit this response. Interestingly, AOH suppressed Doxo-induced γH2AX expression, despite evidence of increased DNA damage in the comet assay. Building on these observations, AOH was postulated to inhibit γH2AX-forming kinases. Along this line, in silico analysis supported AOH potential interaction with the ATP-binding sites of these kinases and immunofluorescence experiments showed decreased intracellular phosphorylation events. Similarly, in silico results suggested that ATXII might also interact with these kinases. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of AOH-induced γH2AX expression inhibition on DNA repair processes and underscores the need for caution when interpreting γH2AX assay results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Crudo
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, Parma 43124, Italy
| | - Chenyifan Hong
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Lena Burger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Maximilian Jobst
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria; Core Facility Multimodal Imaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, Vienna 1090, Austria; University of Vienna, Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem), Währinger Str. 42, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Giorgia Del Favero
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria; Core Facility Multimodal Imaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, Vienna 1090, Austria; Core Facility Multimodal Imaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, Vienna 1090, Austria.
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6
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Lakatos I, Babarczi B, Molnár Z, Tóth A, Skoda G, Horváth GF, Horváth A, Tóth D, Sükösd F, Szemethy L, Szőke Z. First Results on the Presence of Mycotoxins in the Liver of Pregnant Fallow Deer ( Dama dama) Hinds and Fetuses. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1039. [PMID: 38612278 PMCID: PMC11011066 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive abnormalities have been observed in fallow deer populations in Hungary. We supposed mycotoxin contamination to be one of the possible causes because multi-mycotoxin contamination is known to be dangerous even at low toxin levels, especially for young animals. We investigated the spatial pattern of mycotoxin occurrences and the relationship between maternal and fetal mycotoxin levels. A total of 72 fallow deer embryos and their mothers were sampled in seven forested regions in Hungary in the 2020/2021 hunting season. We analyzed Aflatoxin (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Fumonizin B1 (FB1), DON, and T2-toxin concentrations in maternal and fetal livers by ELISA. AF was present in 70% and 82%, ZEA in 41% and 96%, DON in 90% and 98%, T2-toxin in 96% and 85%, and FB1 in 84% and 3% of hind and fetus livers, respectively. All mycotoxins passed into the fetus, but only Fumonizin B1 rarely passed. The individual variability of mycotoxin levels was extremely high, but the spatial differences were moderate. We could not prove a relation between the maternal and fetal mycotoxin concentrations, but we found an accumulation of ZEA and DON in the fetuses. These results reflect the possible threats of mycotoxins to the population dynamics and reproduction of wild fallow deer.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Lakatos
- Department of Regional Game Management, Ministry of Agriculture, 1052 Budapest, Hungary;
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Bianka Babarczi
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zsófia Molnár
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Arnold Tóth
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Gabriella Skoda
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Győző F. Horváth
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.F.H.); (A.H.); (D.T.)
| | - Adrienn Horváth
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.F.H.); (A.H.); (D.T.)
| | - Dániel Tóth
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.F.H.); (A.H.); (D.T.)
| | - Farkas Sükösd
- Institute of Pathology, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - László Szemethy
- Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (G.F.H.); (A.H.); (D.T.)
| | - Zsuzsanna Szőke
- Agribiotechnology and Precision Breeding for Food Security National Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Animal Biotechnology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (B.B.); (Z.M.); (A.T.); (G.S.); (Z.S.)
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Louro H, Vettorazzi A, López de Cerain A, Spyropoulou A, Solhaug A, Straumfors A, Behr AC, Mertens B, Žegura B, Fæste CK, Ndiaye D, Spilioti E, Varga E, Dubreil E, Borsos E, Crudo F, Eriksen GS, Snapkow I, Henri J, Sanders J, Machera K, Gaté L, Le Hegarat L, Novak M, Smith NM, Krapf S, Hager S, Fessard V, Kohl Y, Silva MJ, Dirven H, Dietrich J, Marko D. Hazard characterization of Alternaria toxins to identify data gaps and improve risk assessment for human health. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:425-469. [PMID: 38147116 PMCID: PMC10794282 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03636-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungi of the genus Alternaria are ubiquitous plant pathogens and saprophytes which are able to grow under varying temperature and moisture conditions as well as on a large range of substrates. A spectrum of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with toxic potential has been identified, but occurrence and relative proportion of the different metabolites in complex mixtures depend on strain, substrate, and growth conditions. This review compiles the available knowledge on hazard identification and characterization of Alternaria toxins. Alternariol (AOH), its monomethylether AME and the perylene quinones altertoxin I (ATX-I), ATX-II, ATX-III, alterperylenol (ALP), and stemphyltoxin III (STTX-III) showed in vitro genotoxic and mutagenic properties. Of all identified Alternaria toxins, the epoxide-bearing analogs ATX-II, ATX-III, and STTX-III show the highest cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potential in vitro. Under hormone-sensitive conditions, AOH and AME act as moderate xenoestrogens, but in silico modeling predicts further Alternaria toxins as potential estrogenic factors. Recent studies indicate also an immunosuppressive role of AOH and ATX-II; however, no data are available for the majority of Alternaria toxins. Overall, hazard characterization of Alternaria toxins focused, so far, primarily on the commercially available dibenzo-α-pyrones AOH and AME and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Limited data sets are available for altersetin (ALS), altenuene (ALT), and tentoxin (TEN). The occurrence and toxicological relevance of perylene quinone-based Alternaria toxins still remain to be fully elucidated. We identified data gaps on hazard identification and characterization crucial to improve risk assessment of Alternaria mycotoxins for consumers and occupationally exposed workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriqueta Louro
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ariane Vettorazzi
- MITOX Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, UNAV-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adela López de Cerain
- MITOX Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, UNAV-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Anastasia Spyropoulou
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Anita Solhaug
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 64, 1431, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Anne-Cathrin Behr
- Department Food Safety, BfR, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrnstraße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Mertens
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bojana Žegura
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Dieynaba Ndiaye
- INRS, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité pour la Prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, 54519, Vandœuvre Lès Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Eliana Spilioti
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Estelle Dubreil
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Eszter Borsos
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Crudo
- Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Igor Snapkow
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jérôme Henri
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Julie Sanders
- Department of Chemical and Physical Health Risks, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kyriaki Machera
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 145 61, Attica, Greece
| | - Laurent Gaté
- INRS, Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité pour la Prévention des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles, Rue du Morvan, CS 60027, 54519, Vandœuvre Lès Nancy Cedex, France
| | - Ludovic Le Hegarat
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Matjaž Novak
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, Večna Pot 111, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nicola M Smith
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Krapf
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, PO Box 64, 1431, Ås, Norway
| | - Sonja Hager
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Valérie Fessard
- Toxicology of Contaminants Unit, Fougères Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, 10 B rue Claude Bourgelat, 35306, Fougères, France
| | - Yvonne Kohl
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, Joseph-Von-Fraunhofer-Weg 1, 66280, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Maria João Silva
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Chemical Toxicology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Lovisenberggate 8, 0456, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jessica Dietrich
- Department Safety in the Food Chain, BfR, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Max-Dohrn-Straße 8-10, 10589, Berlin, Germany
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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8
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Stroe MC, Gao J, Pitz M, Fischer R. Complexity of fungal polyketide biosynthesis and function. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:18-25. [PMID: 37961029 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Where does one draw the line between primary and secondary metabolism? The answer depends on the perspective. Microbial secondary metabolites (SMs) were at first believed not to be very important for the producers because they are dispensable for growth under laboratory conditions. However, such compounds become important in natural niches of the organisms, and some are of prime importance for humanity. Polyketides are an important group of SMs with aflatoxin as a well-known and well-characterized example. In Aspergillus spp., all 34 afl genes encoding the enzymes for aflatoxin biosynthesis are located in close vicinity on chromosome III in a so-called gene cluster. This led to the assumption that most genes required for polyketide biosynthesis are organized in gene clusters. Recent research, however, revealed an enormous complexity of the biosynthesis of different polyketides, ranging from individual polyketide synthases to a gene cluster producing several compounds, or to several clusters with additional genes scattered in the genome for the production of one compound. Research of the last decade furthermore revealed a huge potential for SM biosynthesis hidden in fungal genomes, and methods were developed to wake up such sleeping genes. The analysis of organismic interactions starts to reveal some of the ecological functions of polyketides for the producing fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Stroe
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Jia Gao
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Michael Pitz
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Institute for Applied Biosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - South Campus, Karlsruhe, Germany
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9
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Crudo F, Hong C, Varga E, Del Favero G, Marko D. Genotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of the Alternaria Mycotoxin Alternariol in Combination with the Process Contaminant Acrylamide. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:670. [PMID: 38133174 PMCID: PMC10748053 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15120670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are constantly exposed to mixtures of different xenobiotics through their diet. One emerging concern is the Alternaria mycotoxin alternariol (AOH), which can occur in foods typically contaminated by the process contaminant acrylamide (AA). AA is a byproduct of the Maillard reaction produced in carbohydrate-rich foods during thermal processing. Given the genotoxic properties of AOH and AA as single compounds, as well as their potential co-occurrence in food, this study aimed to assess the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects of these compounds in combination. Genotoxicity was assessed in HepG2 cells by quantifying the phosphorylation of the histone γ-H2AX, induced as a response to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mutagenicity was tested in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 by applying the Ames microplate format test. Our results showed the ability of AOH and AA to induce DSBs and increase revertant numbers in S. typhimurium TA100, with AOH being more potent than AA. However, no synergistic effects were observed during the combined treatments. Notably, the results of the study suggest that the compounds exert mutagenic effects primarily through base pair substitutions. In summary, the data indicate no immediate cause for concern regarding synergistic health risks associated with the consumption of foods co-contaminated with AOH and AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Crudo
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38–40, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.C.); (C.H.); (E.V.); (G.D.F.)
| | - Chenyifan Hong
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38–40, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.C.); (C.H.); (E.V.); (G.D.F.)
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38–40, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.C.); (C.H.); (E.V.); (G.D.F.)
| | - Giorgia Del Favero
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38–40, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.C.); (C.H.); (E.V.); (G.D.F.)
- Core Facility Multimodal Imaging Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38–40, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (F.C.); (C.H.); (E.V.); (G.D.F.)
- Core Facility Multimodal Imaging Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Fernandes C, Casadevall A, Gonçalves T. Mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in animals and plants. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad061. [PMID: 37884396 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria species are cosmopolitan fungi darkly pigmented by melanin that infect numerous plant species causing economically important agricultural spoilage of various food crops. Alternaria spp. also infect animals, being described as entomopathogenic fungi but also infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their clinical importance in human health, as infection agents, lay in the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Moreover, Alternaria spp. are considered some of the most abundant and potent sources of airborne sensitizer allergens causing allergic respiratory diseases, as severe asthma. Among the numerous strategies deployed by Alternaria spp. to attack their hosts, the production of toxins, carrying critical concerns to public health as food contaminant, and the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, can be highlighted. Alternaria proteases also trigger allergic symptoms in individuals with fungal sensitization, acting as allergens and facilitating antigen access to the host subepithelium. Here, we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in plants and animals, the strategies used by Alternaria to cope with the host defenses, and the involvement Alternaria allergens and mechanisms of sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Fernandes
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Wolfe Street, Room E5132, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Teresa Gonçalves
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- FMUC - Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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11
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Mao X, Chen W, Wu H, Shao Y, Zhu Y, Guo Q, Li Y, Xia L. Alternaria Mycotoxins Analysis and Exposure Investigation in Ruminant Feeds. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:495. [PMID: 37624252 PMCID: PMC10467096 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria mycotoxins are a class of important, agriculture-related hazardous materials, and their contamination in ruminant feeds and products might bring severe toxic effects to animals and even human beings. To control these hazardous compounds, a reliable and sensitive LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) method was established for simultaneous determination of six target Alternaria mycotoxins in ruminant feeds, including ALT (Altenuene), AME (Alternariol Monomethyl Ether), AOH (Alternariol), ATX-Ι (Altertoxins I), TeA (Tenuazonic Acid), and TEN (Tentoxin). This developed analytical method was used for the determination of the presence of these substances in cattle and sheep feeds in Xinjiang Province, China. The results revealed that Alternaria mycotoxins are ubiquitously detected in feed samples. Especially, AME, AOH, TeA, and TEN are the most frequently found mycotoxins with a positive rate over 40% and a concentration range of 4~551 µg/kg. The proposed method could be applied for exposure investigation of Alternaria mycotoxins in ruminant feeds and for the reduction in the health risk to animals and even consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Mao
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (X.M.); (W.C.); (H.W.)
| | - Wanzhao Chen
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (X.M.); (W.C.); (H.W.)
| | - Huimin Wu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (X.M.); (W.C.); (H.W.)
| | - Ying Shao
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai 264000, China; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Ya’ning Zhu
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai 264000, China; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Qingyong Guo
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (X.M.); (W.C.); (H.W.)
| | - Yanshen Li
- College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai 264000, China; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Lining Xia
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Study and Creation for Herbivorous Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China; (X.M.); (W.C.); (H.W.)
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Marin DE, Taranu I. Using In Silico Approach for Metabolomic and Toxicity Prediction of Alternariol. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:421. [PMID: 37505690 PMCID: PMC10467053 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternariol is a metabolite produced by Alternaria fungus that can contaminate a variety of food and feed materials. The objective of the present paper was to provide a prediction of Phase I and II metabolites of alternariol and a detailed ADME/Tox profile for alternariol and its metabolites using an in silico working model based on the MetaTox, SwissADME, pKCMS, and PASS online computational programs. A number of 12 metabolites were identified as corresponding to the metabolomic profile of alternariol. ADME profile for AOH and predicted metabolites indicated a moderate or high intestinal absorption probability but a low probability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. In addition to cytotoxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, and endocrine disruptor effects, the computational model has predicted other toxicological endpoints for the analyzed compounds, such as vascular toxicity, haemato-toxicity, diarrhea, and nephrotoxicity. AOH and its metabolites have been predicted to act as a substrate for different isoforms of phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes and to interact with the response to oxidative stress. In conclusion, in silico methods can represent a viable alternative to in vitro and in vivo tests for the prediction of mycotoxins metabolism and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ionelia Taranu
- National Research and Development Institute for Biology and Animal Nutrition, 077015 Balotesti, Romania;
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Alternaria alternata Isolated from Infected Pears (Pyrus communis) in Italy Produces Non-Host Toxins and Hydrolytic Enzymes as Infection Mechanisms and Exhibits Competitive Exclusion against Botrytis cinerea in Co-Infected Host Fruits. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9030326. [PMID: 36983494 PMCID: PMC10053571 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria alternata is one of the most devastating phytopathogenic fungi. This microorganism causes black spots in many fruits and vegetables worldwide, generating significant post-harvest losses. In this study, an A. alternata strain, isolated from infected pears (Pyrus communis) harvested in Italy, was characterized by focusing on its pathogenicity mechanisms and competitive exclusion in the presence of another pathogen, Botrytis cinerea. In in vitro assays, the fungus produces strong enzymatic activities such as amylase, xylanase, and cellulase, potentially involved during the infection. Moreover, it secretes four different toxins purified and identified as altertoxin I, alteichin, alternariol, and alternariol 4-methyl ether. Only alteichin generated necrotic lesions on host-variety pears, while all the compounds showed moderate to slight necrotic activity on non-host pears and other non-host fruit (lemon, Citrus limon), indicating they are non-host toxins. Interestingly, A. alternata has shown competitive exclusion to the competitor fungus Botrytis cinerea when co-inoculated in host and non-host pear fruits, inhibiting its growth by 70 and 65%, respectively, a result not observed in a preliminary characterization in a dual culture assay. Alteichin and alternariol 4-methyl ether tested against B. cinerea had the best inhibition activity, suggesting that the synergism of these toxins and enzymatic activities of A. alternata are probably involved in the competitive exclusion dynamics in host and non-host pear fruits.
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14
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Augustin Mihalache O, Carbonell-Rozas L, Cutroneo S, Dall'Asta C. Multi-mycotoxin determination in plant-based meat alternatives and exposure assessment. Food Res Int 2023; 168:112766. [PMID: 37120216 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to fill in the gap regarding the occurrence of mycotoxins in plant-based meat alternatives. Hence, a multi-mycotoxin method (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, zearalenone, and mycotoxins from the Alternaria alternata genera) was developed followed by an exposure assessment for the Italian consumers' exposure to mycotoxins. A total of 13 meat alternatives samples based on soy, pea, chickpea, lupin, and seitan were analysed. With the exception of seitan, all of the remaining samples were contaminated with one mycotoxin or mixtures of up to seven mycotoxins. The level of contamination was as low as 0.2 μg/kg alternariol methyl ether and as high as 66.9 μg/kg fumonisin B1. To analyse the exposure to mycotoxins due to plant-based meat alternatives consumption we used the consumption meat data from the Food and Agriculture Organization for Italian adult consumers and simulated a full replacement of meat with plant-based meat alternatives. Based on our model, consumption of plant-based meat alternatives led to a non-tolerable exposure to alternariol (hazard index (HI) > 1) in pea-based burger and soy + wheat-based steak, while samples contaminated with aflatoxins, respectively ochratoxin A, indicated a health concern related to liver and renal cancer (margin of exposure (MOE) < 10,000). This is the first study that presents the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in multiple plant-based meat alternatives. Moreover, these results indicate that there is a need for policymakers to consider the regulation of mycotoxins in plant-based meat alternatives in order to ensure consumers' safety.
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15
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Hassan EA, Hifney AF, Ali EF, Sayed AM. Fungicidal activities and molecular docking of the marine alga Ulva lactuca and Punica granatum peel extracts on Alternaria tomato spot disease. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:21872-21887. [PMID: 36279063 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23733-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we utilized pomegranate peel and marine algae Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca) as rich and sustained sources of bioactive compounds to combat tomato-black spot disease. n-Hexane extracts from the peel of pomegranate (Punica granatum) (PPE) and the marine algal biomass U. lactuca (ULE) were used alone and in combinations to verify their impact against Alternaria alternata (A. alternata). The applied extracts exhibited severe destructive effects on both fungal growth and structure such as mycelia malformation, underdeveloped conidia, cell wall deformation, and shrinkage. Moreover, increased deformations and protrusions, and notch-like structures, were noticed in A. alternata mycelia treated with mixed extracts (PPE and ULE) compared to all other treatments. The protein and reduced sugar contents in tomato fruits were significantly increased in the infected fruits with A. alternata. The highest enzyme activities of pectinase, cellulase, catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were recorded in infected tomatoes in comparison with the healthy ones. Molecular docking studies showed that each extract is rich with bioactive compounds that have a promising inhibition effect on A. alternata cellulases. Pomegranate and Ulva extract showed promising antifungal activity against A. alternata which revealed their feasibility and applicability as biocontrol agents in postharvest disease management and food preservation against fungal pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elhagag A Hassan
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, P.O. Box 71526, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Awatief F Hifney
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, P.O. Box 71526, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Esmat F Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Sayed
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, 71516, Egypt.
- Institute for Biochemistry, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Albertstrasse 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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Alternaria toxins in tomato products from the Argentinean market. Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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17
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Sui Y, Lu Y, Zuo S, Wang H, Bian X, Chen G, Huang S, Dai H, Liu F, Dong H. Aflatoxin B 1 Exposure in Sheep: Insights into Hepatotoxicity Based on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Injury, Apoptosis, and Gut Microbiota Analysis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14120840. [PMID: 36548738 PMCID: PMC9787800 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14120840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread fungal toxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an inevitable pollutant affecting the health of humans, poultry, and livestock. Although studies indicate that AFB1 is hepatotoxic, there are few studies on AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in sheep. Thus, this study examined how AFB1 affected sheep liver function 24 h after the animals received 1 mg/kg bw of AFB1 orally (dissolved in 20 mL, 4% v/v ethanol). The acute AFB1 poisoning caused histopathological injuries to the liver and increased total bilirubin (TBIL) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels. AFB1 also markedly elevated the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 while considerably reducing the expression of antioxidation-related genes (SOD-1 and SOD-2) and the anti-inflammatory gene IL-10 in the liver. Additionally, it caused apoptosis by dramatically altering the expression of genes associated with apoptosis including Bax, Caspase-3, and Bcl-2/Bax. Notably, AFB1 exposure altered the gut microbiota composition, mainly manifested by BF311 spp. and Alistipes spp. abundance, which are associated with liver injury. In conclusion, AFB1 can cause liver injury and liver dysfunction in sheep via oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and gut-microbiota disturbance.
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Evaluation of Alternaria toxins in fruits, vegetables and their derivatives marketed in China using a QuEChERS method coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: Analytical methods and occurrence. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Lin H, Jia B, Wu A. Cytotoxicities of Co-occurring alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid on human gastric epithelial cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 171:113524. [PMID: 36442738 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) are the three major Alternaria toxin contaminants in food. In the present study, we conducted their single and combined toxicity analyses using human gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1) that was first exposed to the toxins when they entered the human body. By comparing the cytotoxicity IC50, we found that compared to several other mycotoxins with limit standards there was cytotoxicity DON > OTA > AME > AOH > ZEN > TeA. Further, we obtained combination index (CI)-isobologram equation by the Chou-Talalay method according to a toxin ratio of 1:1:2 and carried out the combined toxicity analysis of the three binary and ternary compounds, and the results showed that AOH + AME + TeA showed synergistic toxic effects. Based on the co-occurring status, we also carried out the combined toxicity analysis of AME and AOH at different ratios and found antagonistic effects at low cytotoxic concentrations as well as synergistic and additive effects at high concentrations. Also, we found that all three and their combinations caused apoptosis, activation of caspase-3 cleavage, activation of DNA damage pathways ATR-Chk1-P53 and ATM-Chk2-P53. In conclusion, we used GES-1 cells to inform the risk of coaction of AOH, AME, and TeA in dietary exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huikang Lin
- SIBS-UGENT-SJTU Joint Laboratory of Mycotoxin Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Bingxuan Jia
- SIBS-UGENT-SJTU Joint Laboratory of Mycotoxin Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Aibo Wu
- SIBS-UGENT-SJTU Joint Laboratory of Mycotoxin Research, CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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20
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Aichinger G, Pahlke G, Puntscher H, Groestlinger J, Grabher S, Braun D, Tillmann K, Plasenzotti R, Del Favero G, Warth B, Höger H, Marko D. Markers for DNA damage are induced in the rat colon by the Alternaria toxin altertoxin-II, but not a complex extract of cultured Alternaria alternata. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:977147. [PMID: 36353200 PMCID: PMC9638006 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.977147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins produced by Alternaria spp. act genotoxic in cell-based studies, but data on their toxicity in vivo is scarce and urgently required for risk assessment. Thus, male Sprague-Dawley rats received single doses of a complex Alternaria toxin extract (CE; 50 mg/kg bw), altertoxin II (ATX-II; 0.21 mg/kg bw) or vehicle by gavage, one of the most genotoxic metabolites in vitro and were sacrificed after 3 or 24 h, respectively. Using SDS-PAGE/Western Blot, a significant increase of histone 2a.X phosphorylation and depletion of the native protein was observed for rats that were exposed to ATX-II for 24 h. Applying RT-PCR array technology we identified genes of interest for qRT-PCR testing, which in turn confirmed an induction of Rnf8 transcription in the colon of rats treated with ATX-II for 3 h and CE for 24 h. A decrease of Cdkn1a transcription was observed in rats exposed to ATX-II for 24 h, possibly indicating tissue repair after chemical injury. In contrast to the observed response in the colon, no markers for genotoxicity were induced in the liver of treated animals. We hereby provide the first report of ATX-II as a genotoxicant in vivo. Deviating results for similar concentrations of ATX-II in a natural Alternaria toxin mixture argue for substantial mixture effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Aichinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Health Science and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gudrun Pahlke
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Puntscher
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Groestlinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephanie Grabher
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dominik Braun
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Tillmann
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roberto Plasenzotti
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Giorgia Del Favero
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Core Facility Multimodal Imaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Warth
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Höger
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Oueslati S, Ben Yakhlef S, Vila-Donat P, Pallarés N, Ferrer E, Barba F, Berrada H. Multi-mycotoxin determination in coffee beans marketed in Tunisia and the associated dietary exposure assessment. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Analysis and Comparison of Rapid Methods for the Determination of Ochratoxin a Levels in Organs and Body Fluids Obtained from Exposed Mice. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14090634. [PMID: 36136572 PMCID: PMC9503121 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are bioaccumulative contaminants impacting animals and humans. The simultaneous detection of frequent active exposures and accumulated mycotoxin level (s) in exposed organisms would be the most ideal to enable appropriate actions. However, few methods are available for the purpose, and there is a demand for dedicated, sensitive, reliable, and practical assays. To demonstrate the issue, mice were exposed to a relevant agent Ochratoxin A (OTA), and accumulated OTA was measured by fine-tuned commercial assays. Quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry assays have been developed/modified using reagents available as commercial products when appropriate. Assays were performed on excised samples, and results were compared. Accumulated OTA could be detected and quantified; positive correlations (between applied doses of exposure and accumulated OTA levels and the results from assays) were found. Dedicated assays could be developed, which provided comparable results. The presence and accumulation of OTA following even a short exposure could be quantitatively detected. The assays performed similarly, but HPLC had the greatest sensitivity. Blood contained higher levels of OTA than liver and kidney. We demonstrate that specific but flexible and practical assays should be used for specific/local purposes, to measure the exposure itself and accumulation in blood or organs.
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Underreported Human Exposure to Mycotoxins: The Case of South Africa. Foods 2022; 11:foods11172714. [PMID: 36076897 PMCID: PMC9455755 DOI: 10.3390/foods11172714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
South Africa (SA) is a leading exporter of maize in Africa. The commercial maize farming sector contributes to about 85% of the overall maize produced. More than 33% of South Africa’s population live in rural settlements, and their livelihoods depend entirely on subsistence farming. The subsistence farming system promotes fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This review aims to investigate the exposure levels of the rural population of South Africa to dietary mycotoxins contrary to several reports issued concerning the safety of South African maize. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar. Maize is a staple food in South Africa and consumption rates in rural and urban communities are different, for instance, intake may be 1–2 kg/person/day and 400 g/person/day, respectively. Commercial and subsistence maize farming techniques are different. There exist differences influencing the composition of mycotoxins in food commodities from both sectors. Depending on the levels of contamination, dietary exposure of South Africans to mycotoxins is evident in the high levels of fumonisins (FBs) that have been detected in SA home-grown maize. Other potential sources of exposure to mycotoxins, such as carryover effects from animal products and processed foods, were reviewed. The combined effects between FBs and aflatoxins (AFs) have been reported in humans/animals and should not be ignored, as sporadic breakouts of aflatoxicosis have been reported in South Africa. These reports are not a true representation of the entire country as reports from the subsistence-farming rural communities show high incidence of maize contaminated with both AFs and FBs. While commercial farmers and exporters have all the resources needed to perform laboratory analyses of maize products, the greater challenge in combatting mycotoxin exposure is encountered in rural communities with predominantly subsistence farming systems, where conventional food surveillance is lacking.
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Augustin Mihalache O, Dellafiora L, Dall'Asta C. A systematic review of natural toxins occurrence in plant commodities used for plant-based meat alternatives production. Food Res Int 2022; 158:111490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ji X, Xiao Y, Lyu W, Li M, Wang W, Tang B, Wang X, Yang H. Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Combined Exposure to Deoxynivalenol and Emerging Alternaria Toxins in Cereal-Based Food Products for Infants and Young Children in China. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14080509. [PMID: 35893751 PMCID: PMC9330788 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14080509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) and emerging Alternaria toxins often co-occur in cereal-based products, but the current risk assessment is commonly conducted for only one type of mycotoxin at a time. Compared to adults, infants and young children are more susceptible to mycotoxins through food consumption, especially with cereal-based food products which are the main source of exposure. This study aimed to perform a probabilistic risk assessment of combined exposure to DON and three major Alternaria toxins, namely including alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), alternariol (AOH), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) through consumption of cereal-based foods for Chinese infants and young children. A total of 872 cereal-based food products were randomly collected and tested for the occurrence of DON and three major Alternaria toxins. The results on mycotoxin occurrence showed the DON, TeA, AOH, and AME was detected in 56.4%, 47.5%, 7.5%, and 5.7% of the samples, respectively. Co-contamination of various mycotoxins was observed in 39.9% of the analyzed samples. A preliminary cumulative risk assessment using the models of hazard index (HI) and combined margin of exposure (MoET) was performed on DON and Alternaria toxins that were present in cereal-based food products for infants and young children in China for the first time. The results showed that only 0.2% and 1.5%, respectively, of individuals exceeded the corresponding reference value for DON and TeA, indicating a low health risk. However, in the case of AME and AOH, the proportion of individuals exceeding the reference value was 24.1% and 33.5%, respectively, indicating the potential health risks. In the cumulative risk assessment of AME and AOH, both HI and MoET values indicated a more serious risk than that related to individual exposure. Further research is necessary to reduce the uncertainties that are associated with the toxicities of the Alternaria toxins and cumulative risk assessment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Yingping Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Wentao Lyu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Minglu Li
- China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100022, China;
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Biao Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing 100022, China;
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (H.Y.)
| | - Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Institute of Agro-Product Safety and Nutrition, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China; (X.J.); (Y.X.); (W.L.); (W.W.); (B.T.)
- Correspondence: (X.W.); (H.Y.)
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den Hollander D, Holvoet C, Demeyere K, De Zutter N, Audenaert K, Meyer E, Croubels S. Cytotoxic Effects of Alternariol, Alternariol Monomethyl-Ether, and Tenuazonic Acid and Their Relevant Combined Mixtures on Human Enterocytes and Hepatocytes. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:849243. [PMID: 35531275 PMCID: PMC9072788 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.849243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl-ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) are major mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus Alternaria and are common contaminants of food products such as fruits, vegetables, cereals and grains. Alternaria mycotoxins are known to cause relevant economic losses and to have a negative impact on human and animal health. EFSA stated in its scientific opinion that data on the toxicity of Alternaria mycotoxins in humans and livestock are generally lacking, precluding proper hazard characterization. This study aimed to fill some knowledge gaps by studying the in vitro cytotoxicity toward human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) and hepatocytes (HepG2). Cytotoxic properties were assessed by flow cytometric analyses of remaining viable cells (i.e., propidium iodide negative) after mycotoxin exposure for 24-48 h versus solvent control. Treatment of cells with single doses of AOH, AME, and TeA resulted in a dose-dependent loss of cell viability for both cell lines. Half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of the different mycotoxins were comparable for the two cell lines. On HepG2 cells, EC50 values varying between 8 and 16, 4 and 5, and 40 and 95 μg/mL were calculated for AOH, AME, and TeA, respectively. On Caco-2 cells, EC50 values of 19 μg/mL and varying between 6 and 23, and 60 and 90 μg/mL were calculated for AOH, AME, and TeA, respectively. A general relative cytotoxicity ranking of about 1 = 1 >>> 3 was obtained for AOH, AME, and TeA, respectively. Treatment of both cell lines with combined binary and ternary mixtures of AOH, AME, and TeA in a 1:1:3 ratio, also showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. For both cell lines, the binary combination of especially AME and TeA (1:3 ratio) but also of AOH and AME (1:1 ratio) significantly increased the cytotoxicity compared to the single compound toxicity, although mainly at the highest concentrations tested. The ternary combinations of AOH, AME, and TeA induced only a slight increase in cytotoxicity compared to the single mycotoxins, again at the highest concentrations tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danica den Hollander
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Celestien Holvoet
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Kristel Demeyere
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Noémie De Zutter
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Audenaert
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelyne Meyer
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Siska Croubels
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Groestlinger J, Spindler V, Pahlke G, Rychlik M, Del Favero G, Marko D. Alternaria alternata Mycotoxins Activate the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Nrf2-ARE Pathway to Alter the Structure and Immune Response of Colon Epithelial Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:731-749. [PMID: 35405071 PMCID: PMC9115800 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
After ingestion of food commodities, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) poses the first barrier against xenobiotics and pathogens. Therefore, it is regularly confronted with external stressors potentially affecting the inflammatory response and the epithelial barrier. Alternaria mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH) and altertoxin II (ATX-II) are frequently occurring food and feed contaminants that are described for their immunomodulatory capacities. Hence, this study aimed at exploring the effect of AOH and ATX-II as single compounds or binary mixtures on the immune response and epithelial homeostasis in noncancerous colon epithelial cells HCEC-1CT. Both toxins suppressed mRNA levels of proinflammatory mediators interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and secretion of IL-8, as well as mRNA levels of the matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2). Binary combinations of AOH and ATX-II reduced the response of the single toxins. Additionally, AOH and ATX-II modified immunolocalization of transmembrane proteins such as integrin β1, zona occludens 1 (ZO-1), claudin 4 (Cldn 4), and occludin (Ocln), which support colonic tissue homeostasis and intestinal barrier function. Moreover, the cellular distribution of ZO-1 was affected by ATX-II. Mechanistically, these effects could be traced back to the involvement of several transcription factors. AOH activated the nuclear translocation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), governing cell metabolic competence and structural integrity. This was accompanied by altered distribution of the NF-κB p65 protein, an important regulator of inflammatory response. ATX-II also induced AhR and Nrf2 translocation, albeit failing to substantiate the effect of AOH on the colonic epithelium. Hence, both toxins coherently repress the intestinal immune response on the cytokine transcriptional and protein levels. Furthermore, both mycotoxins affected the colonic epithelial integrity by altering the cell architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Groestlinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Spindler
- Chair of Food Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Gudrun Pahlke
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Rychlik
- Chair of Food Analytical Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Maximus-von-Imhof-Forum 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Giorgia Del Favero
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria.,Core Facility Multimodal Imaging, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Zhu X, Chen Y, Tang X, Wang D, Miao Y, Zhang J, Li R, Zhang L, Chen J. General toxicity and genotoxicity of
Altertoxin
I: a novel 28‐Day multi‐endpoint assessment in male Sprague Dawley rats. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 42:1310-1322. [PMID: 35128692 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Yiyi Chen
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Xinyao Tang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Dongxia Wang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Yeqiu Miao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jing Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Ruirui Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Lishi Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
| | - Jinyao Chen
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu China
- Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Chengdu Sichuan China
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Sun L, Dai J, Xu J, Yang J, Zhang D. Comparative Cytotoxic Effects and Possible Mechanisms of Deoxynivalenol, Zearalenone and T-2 Toxin Exposure to Porcine Leydig Cells In Vitro. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020113. [PMID: 35202140 PMCID: PMC8875536 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins such as zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin (T-2) are the most poisonous biological toxins in food pollution. Mycotoxin contaminations are a global health issue. The aim of the current study was to use porcine Leydig cells as a model to explore the toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of ZEN, DON and T-2. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ZEN was 49.71 μM, and the IC50 values of DON and T-2 were 2.49 μM and 97.18 nM, respectively. Based on the values of IC50, ZEN, DON and T-2 exposure resulted in increased cell apoptosis, as well as disrupted mitochondria membrane potential and cell cycle distribution. The results also showed that ZEN and DON significantly reduced testosterone and progesterone secretion in Leydig cells, but T-2 only reduced testosterone secretion. Furthermore, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were significantly decreased by ZEN, DON and T-2; whereas the protein expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1) was only significantly decreased by ZEN. Altogether, these data suggest that the ZEN, DON and T-2 toxins resulted in reproductive toxicity involving the inhibition of steroidogenesis and cell proliferation, which contributes to the cellular apoptosis induced by mitochondrial injury in porcine Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwei Sun
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China; (L.S.); (J.D.); (J.X.)
| | - Jianjun Dai
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China; (L.S.); (J.D.); (J.X.)
| | - Jiehuan Xu
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China; (L.S.); (J.D.); (J.X.)
| | - Junhua Yang
- Institute for Agri-Food Standard and Testing, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (D.Z.)
| | - Defu Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China; (L.S.); (J.D.); (J.X.)
- Correspondence: (J.Y.); (D.Z.)
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Tang X, Chen Y, Zhu X, Miao Y, Wang D, Zhang J, Li R, Zhang L, Chen J. Alternariol monomethyl ether toxicity and genotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley rats: 28-Day in vivo multi-endpoint assessment. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2022; 873:503435. [PMID: 35094809 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), a typical Alternaria toxin, has often been detected in grains. We have measured the general toxicity and genotoxicity of AME with a 28-day multi-endpoint (Pig-a assay + in vivo micronucleus [MN] test + comet assay) platform. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered AME (1.84, 3.67, or 7.35 μg/kg body weight/day), N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (40 mg/kg body weight/day), or corn oil by gavage for 28 consecutive days. Another group (AME-high-dose + recovery) was maintained for a further 14 days after the end of the AME administration. Hematology and serum biochemistry results suggested that AME might compromise the immune system. The histopathology results indicated that AME can cause liver (inflammatory cell infiltration, steatosis, and edema), kidney (renal glomerular atrophy), and spleen (white pulp atrophy) damage. The genotoxicity results showed that AME can induce gene mutations, chromosome breakage, and DNA damage, but the effects were diminished after the recovery period. According to point-of-departure analysis (BMDL10), the risk to the population of exposure to AME cannot be ignored and further assessment is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyao Tang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yiyi Chen
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Chenghua Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Xia Zhu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yeqiu Miao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Dongxia Wang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jing Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ruirui Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Lishi Zhang
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Jinyao Chen
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Food Safety Monitoring and Risk Assessment Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Persistence of the antagonistic effects of a natural mixture of Alternaria mycotoxins on the estrogen-like activity of human feces after anaerobic incubation. Toxicol Lett 2022; 358:88-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Fan K, Guo W, Huang Q, Meng J, Yao Q, Nie D, Han Z, Zhao Z. Assessment of Human Exposure to Five Alternaria Mycotoxins in China by Biomonitoring Approach. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110762. [PMID: 34822546 PMCID: PMC8625692 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This biomonitoring study was conducted to investigate the concentration levels of five Alternaria mycotoxins in urine samples from 269 healthy volunteers living in the Yangtze River Delta, China. Alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA) and tentoxin (TEN) were detected in 38.3%, 48.7%, 63.9% and 23.4% of urine samples with the concentrations ranging from 0.057 to 45.8 ng/mL, 0.020 to 0.802 ng/mL, 0.050 to 80.6 ng/mL and 0.021 to 0.939 ng/mL, respectively. Altenuene (ALT) was not detected in any urine sample. Based on the urinary concentrations, the probable daily intake (PDI) values of Alternaria mycotoxins were calculated, and 100%, 99.2–100%, 0.372% and 1.12% of participants exceeded the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) values for AOH, AME, TeA and TEN, respectively. This study revealed high potential health risks related to the contaminations of major Alternaria mycotoxins in China and highlighted the necessity for more toxicological studies to provide better basis for further comprehensive risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Fan
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Wenbo Guo
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Qingwen Huang
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Jiajia Meng
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Qi Yao
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China;
| | - Dongxia Nie
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zheng Han
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
| | - Zhihui Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Protected Horticultural Technology, Institute for Agro-Food Standards and Testing Technology, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; (K.F.); (W.G.); (Q.H.); (J.M.); (D.N.); (Z.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-21-62202875
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Chalyy Z, Kiseleva M, Sedova I, Tutelyan V. Mycotoxins in herbal tea: transfer into the infusion. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2021. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2020.2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are natural food contaminants, associated with adverse health effects due to acute intoxication and, what is much more common, chronic exposure. The most hazardous and widespread mycotoxins are subjected to regulation in food in most countries. Alongside with regulated, a wide list of mycotoxins is monitored in various foods. Traditionally mycotoxins in tea are determined in a dry sample, not taking into account their transfer rate into the infusion. This study was aimed at the determination of the transfer rate of several mycotoxins from naturally contaminated herbal tea samples into an infusion. Seven of the most contaminated samples were pre-selected during the monitoring of mycotoxins in Camellia sinensis and herbal tea available in the Russian Federation. Ochratoxin A (OTA), sterigmatocystin (STE), mycophenolic acid (MPA), tentoxin (TTX), alternariol (AOH), its methyl ether (AME), zearalenone (ZEN), enniatins A and B (ENN A and B), beauvericin (BEA) were detected in these samples in the range of several μg/kg to several mg/kg. HPLC-MS/MS was used for dry tea samples and their infusion analysis. Mycotoxin polarity and infusion pH (for analytes possessing carboxylic groups) appeared to be factors determining transfer rate. STE transferred into infusion at the average rate of 10%. Average transfer of Alternaria toxins varied from 73% (TTX) to 45% (AOH) and about 11% (AME). A third part of ZEN was detected in the infusion. Transfer of ENNs and BEA was low and did not exceed 7%. Infusion pH affected MPA transfer rate; it increased from 23% to 96% in the pH range from 5.5 to 6.3. 83% of OTA was detected in the infusion of a single contaminated sample. Consideration of the mycotoxin transfer rate to herbal tea infusions resulted in the change of the model herbal tea input into mean chronic dietary exposure for most studied mycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z. Chalyy
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ust’inskiy pr. 2/14, 109240 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - M. Kiseleva
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ust’inskiy pr. 2/14, 109240 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - I. Sedova
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ust’inskiy pr. 2/14, 109240 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - V. Tutelyan
- Federal Research Centre of Nutrition and Biotechnology, Ust’inskiy pr. 2/14, 109240 Moscow, Russian Federation
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Trubetskaya str. 8/2, 119992 Moscow, Russian Federation
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Orina AS, Gavrilova OP, Gogina NN, Gannibal PB, Gagkaeva TY. Natural Occurrence of Alternaria Fungi and Associated Mycotoxins in Small-Grain Cereals from The Urals and West Siberia Regions of Russia. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13100681. [PMID: 34678974 PMCID: PMC8538951 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13100681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria fungi dominate the grain microbiota in many regions of the world; therefore, the detection of species that are able to produce mycotoxins has received much attention. A total of 178 grain samples of wheat, barley and oat obtained from the Urals and West Siberia regions of Russia in 2017–2019 were included in the study. Grain contamination with Alternaria fungi belonging to sections Alternaria and Infectoriae was analysed using qPCR with specific primers. The occurrence of four mycotoxins produced by Alternaria, AOH, AME, TEN, and TeA, was defined by HPLC-MS/MS. Alternaria DNA was found in all analysed grain samples. The prevalence of DNA of Alternaria sect. Alternaria fungi (range 53 × 10−4–21,731 × 10−4 pg/ng) over the DNA of Alternaria sect. Infectoriae (range 11 × 10−4‒4237 × 10−4 pg/ng) in the grain samples was revealed. Sixty-two percent of grain samples were contaminated by at least two Alternaria mycotoxins. The combination of TEN and TeA was found most often. Eight percent of grain samples were contaminated by all four mycotoxins, and only 3% of samples were free from the analysed secondary toxic metabolites. The amounts varied in a range of 2–53 µg/kg for AOH, 3–56 µg/kg for AME, 3–131 µg/kg for TEN and 9–15,000 µg/kg for TeA. To our knowledge, a new global maximum level of natural contamination of wheat grain with TeA was detected. A positive correlation between the amount of DNA from Alternaria sect. Alternaria and TeA was observed. The significant effects of cereal species and geographic origin of samples on the amounts of DNA and mycotoxins of Alternaria spp. in grain were revealed. Barley was the most heavily contaminated with fungi belonging to both sections. The content of AOH in oat grain was, on average, higher than that found in wheat and barley. The content of TEN in the grain of barley was lower than that in wheat and similar to that in oat. The content of TeA did not depend on the cereal crop. The effect of weather conditions (summer temperature and rainfall) on the final fungal and mycotoxin contamination of grain was discussed. The frequent co-occurrence of different Alternaria fungi and their mycotoxins in grain indicates the need for further studies investigating this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra S. Orina
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.P.G.); (P.B.G.); (T.Y.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-812-333-3764
| | - Olga P. Gavrilova
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.P.G.); (P.B.G.); (T.Y.G.)
| | - Nadezhda N. Gogina
- Laboratory of Biochemical Analysis, All-Russian Scientific Research and Technological Institute of Poultry, 141311 Sergiev Posad, Russia;
| | - Philipp B. Gannibal
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.P.G.); (P.B.G.); (T.Y.G.)
| | - Tatiana Yu. Gagkaeva
- Laboratory of Mycology and Phytopathology, All-Russian Institute of Plant Protection, 196608 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.P.G.); (P.B.G.); (T.Y.G.)
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Production of Alternaria Toxins in Yellow Peach ( Amygdalus persica) upon Artificial Inoculation with Alternaria alternate. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090656. [PMID: 34564660 PMCID: PMC8473313 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The yellow peach (Amygdalus persica), an important fruit in China, is highly susceptible to infection by Alternaria sp., leading to potential health risks and economic losses. In the current study, firstly, yellow peaches were artificially inoculated with Alternariaalternate. Then, the fruits were stored at 4 °C and 28 °C to simulate the current storage conditions that consumers use, and the Alternaria toxins (ATs) contents from different parts of the fruits were analyzed via ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that the growth of A. alternate and the ATs production were dramatically affected by the storage temperature. At 28 °C, the fungi grew rapidly and the lesion diameter reached about 4.0 cm within 15 days of inoculation, while, at 4 °C, the fungal growth was noticeably inhibited, with no significant change in the lesion diameter. To our surprise, high contents of ATs were produced under both storage conditions even though the fungal growth was suppressed. With an increase in the incubation time, the amounts of ATs showed a steady tendency to increase in most cases. Remarkably, alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), alternariol (AOH), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were detected in the rotten tissue and also in the surrounding tissue, while a large amount of TeA could also be found in the healthy tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the production of ATs by the infection of Alternaria sp. in yellow peach fruits via artificial inoculation under regulated conditions, and, based on the evidence herein, it is recommended that ATs be included in monitoring and control programs of yellow peach management and food safety administration.
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Aichinger G, Del Favero G, Warth B, Marko D. Alternaria toxins-Still emerging? Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2021; 20:4390-4406. [PMID: 34323368 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alternaria molds are known to cause the contamination of food with their secondary metabolites, a chemically very heterogeneous group of compounds. Yet, after decades of research on the occurrence and the toxicity of Alternaria toxins in academia, no regulation has been implemented yet, thus leaving these potential food contaminants in the status of so-called "emerging mycotoxins". However, research on this topic has been far from static, leading to the European Food Safety Authority repeatedly calling for more data on the occurrence and toxicity of genotoxic metabolites such as alternariol (AOH) and its monomethyl ether (AME). To give an overview on recent developments in the field, this comprehensive review summarizes published data and addresses current challenges arising from the chemical complexity of Alternaria's metabolome, mixture effects and the emergence of novel biological targets like cell membranes or the interaction with different receptors. Besides toxicodynamics, we review recent research on toxicokinetics, including the first in vivo studies which incorporated the rarely investigated-but highly genotoxic-perylene quinones. Furthermore, a particular focus lies on the advances of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based analytical tools for determining a broader spectrum of Alternaria toxins including modified/masked forms and assessing exposure via human biomonitoring (HBM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Aichinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Giorgia Del Favero
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Benedikt Warth
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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Mycotoxin Profile and Phylogeny of Pathogenic Alternaria Species Isolated from Symptomatic Tomato Plants in Lebanon. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13080513. [PMID: 34437384 PMCID: PMC8402471 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080513] [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: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The tomato is one of the most consumed agri-food products in Lebanon. Several fungal pathogens, including Alternaria species, can infect tomato plants during the whole growing cycle. Alternaria infections cause severe production and economic losses in field and during storage. In addition, Alternaria species represent a serious toxicological risk since they are able to produce a wide range of mycotoxins, associated with different toxic activities on human and animal health. Several Alternaria species were detected on tomatoes, among which the most important are A. solani, A. alternata, and A. arborescens. A set of 49 Alternaria strains isolated from leaves and stems of diseased tomato plants were characterised by using a polyphasic approach. All strains were included in the recently defined phylogenetic Alternaria section and grouped in three well-separated sub-clades, namely A. alternata (24 out of 49), A. arborescens (12 out of 49), and A. mali morpho-species (12 out of 49). One strain showed high genetic similarity with an A.limoniasperae reference strain. Chemical analyses showed that most of the Alternaria strains, cultured on rice, were able to produce alternariol (AOH), alternariol methyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT) and tenuazonic acid (TA), with values up to 5634, 16,006, 5156, and 4507 mg kg−1, respectively. In addition, 66% of the strains were able to co-produce simultaneously the four mycotoxins investigated. The pathogenicity test carried out on 10 Alternaria strains, representative of phylogenetic sub-clades, revealed that they were all pathogenic on tomato fruits. No significant difference among strains was observed, although A. alternata and A. arborescens strains were slightly more aggressive than A. mali morpho-species strains. This paper reports new insights on mycotoxin profiles, genetic variability, and pathogenicity of Alternaria species on tomatoes.
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Ramlawi S, Abusharkh S, Carroll A, McMullin DR, Avis TJ. Biological and chemical characterization of antimicrobial activity in Arthrobacter spp. isolated from disease-suppressive compost. J Basic Microbiol 2021; 61:745-756. [PMID: 34228381 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202100213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Antagonistic bacteria can act as biocontrol agents against various phytopathogens. Recently, Arthrobacter spp. demonstrated antifungal activity, but were not further characterized. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of Arthrobacter humicola strains M9-1A, M9-2, and M9-8, and Arthrobacter psychrophenolicus strain M9-17 were evaluated against nine plant pathogens in vitro, and their cell-free filtrates were additionally assessed for inhibition of Alternaria alternata and suppression of black mold disease on tomato fruit. Results indicated that A. humicola M9-1A and A. psychrophenolicus M9-17 were the most inhibitory, reducing growth of seven of the pathogens studied. Cell-free filtrates of A. psychrophenolicus M9-17 reduced the growth of most pathogens. All cell-free bacterial filtrates, except those from A. humicola M9-2, suppressed black mold on tomato fruit. Disk diffusion assays with ethyl acetate soluble culture filtrate extracts of all bacteria reduced the mycelial growth of A. alternata. Clear inhibition zones were observed for A. psychrophenolicus M9-17 extracts using drop bioassays. The antifungal compound N-acetyltryptamine was purified and characterized from the A. psychrophenolicus M9-17 cell-free ethyl acetate soluble extract. This study suggests that antibiosis may play a key role in the antimicrobial activity of Arthrobacter spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serine Ramlawi
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Alexa Carroll
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R McMullin
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tyler J Avis
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ontario, Canada
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In vitro interactions of Alternaria mycotoxins, an emerging class of food contaminants, with the gut microbiota: a bidirectional relationship. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2533-2549. [PMID: 33847775 PMCID: PMC8241668 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The human gut microbiota plays an important role in the maintenance of human health. Factors able to modify its composition might predispose the host to the development of pathologies. Among the various xenobiotics introduced through the diet, Alternaria mycotoxins are speculated to represent a threat for human health. However, limited data are currently available about the bidirectional relation between gut microbiota and Alternaria mycotoxins. In the present work, we investigated the in vitro effects of different concentrations of a complex extract of Alternaria mycotoxins (CE; containing eleven mycotoxins; e.g. 0.153 µM alternariol and 2.3 µM altersetin, at the maximum CE concentration tested) on human gut bacterial strains, as well as the ability of the latter to metabolize or adsorb these compounds. Results from the minimum inhibitory concentration assay showed the scarce ability of CE to inhibit the growth of the tested strains. However, the growth kinetics of most of the strains were negatively affected by exposure to the various CE concentrations, mainly at the highest dose (50 µg/mL). The CE was also found to antagonize the formation of biofilms, already at concentrations of 0.5 µg/mL. LC–MS/MS data analysis of the mycotoxin concentrations found in bacterial pellets and supernatants after 24 h incubation showed the ability of bacterial strains to adsorb some Alternaria mycotoxins, especially the key toxins alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and altersetin. The tendency of these mycotoxins to accumulate within bacterial pellets, especially in those of Gram-negative strains, was found to be directly related to their lipophilicity.
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Crudo F, Barilli A, Mena P, Rotoli BM, Rio DD, Dall'Asta C, Dellafiora L. An in vitro study on the transport and phase II metabolism of the mycotoxin alternariol in combination with the structurally related gut microbial metabolite urolithin C. Toxicol Lett 2021; 340:15-22. [PMID: 33421552 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Alternariol is a mycotoxin produced by Alternaria spp. relevant to the food safety area due to its abundance in certain foods. The shortage of data on its toxicology, also as a part of chemical mixtures, prevents setting regulation to limit its abundance in food. To extend knowledge on the possible mechanisms underpinning alternariol toxicology in chemical mixtures, this work assessed the effects of urolithin C, a structurally related gut ellagitannin-derived metabolite, on its absorption and phase II metabolism in a monolayer of Caco-2 cells. A computational study was also used to provide a mechanistic explanation for the results obtained. Urolithin C influenced transport and phase II metabolism of alternariol with a late reduction of transport to the basolateral compartment. Moreover, it caused an early effect in terms of accumulation of alternariol glucuronides in the basolateral compartment, followed by a late reduction of glucuronides in both compartments. Concerning alternariol sulfates, the data collected pointed to a possible competition of urolithin C for the sulfotransferases resulting in a reduced production of alternariol sulfates. Our results provide a compelling line-of-evidence pointing to the need to systematically tackle the evaluation of mycotoxin toxicity in the context of chemical mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Crudo
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco Delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Amelia Barilli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery (DiMeC), University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Pedro Mena
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Rotoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery (DiMeC), University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Del Rio
- Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43125, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco Delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco Delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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Fliszár-Nyúl E, Szabó Á, Szente L, Poór M. Extraction of mycotoxin alternariol from red wine and from tomato juice with beta-cyclodextrin bead polymer. J Mol Liq 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.114180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Crudo F, Aichinger G, Mihajlovic J, Dellafiora L, Varga E, Puntscher H, Warth B, Dall'Asta C, Berry D, Marko D. Gut microbiota and undigested food constituents modify toxin composition and suppress the genotoxicity of a naturally occurring mixture of Alternaria toxins in vitro. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3541-3552. [PMID: 32623606 PMCID: PMC7502057 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Molds of the genus Alternaria produce several mycotoxins, some of which may pose a threat for health due to their genotoxicity. Due to the lack of adequate toxicological and occurrence data, they are currently not regulated. Interactions between mycotoxins, gut microbiota and food constituents might occur after food ingestion, modifying the bioavailability and, therefore, overall toxicity of mycotoxins. The present work aimed to investigate the impact of in vitro short-term fecal incubation on the in vitro DNA-damaging effects exerted by 5 µg/mL of an Alternaria alternata extract, containing, among others, 15 nM alternariol, 12 nM alternariol monomethyl ether, 241 nM altertoxin II and 301 nM stemphyltoxin III, all of which are known as genotoxic. The involvement of microorganisms, undigested food constituents and soluble substances of human fecal samples in modifying the composition and the genotoxicity of the extract was investigated through the application of LC-MS/MS analysis and comet assays in HT-29 cells. Results showed that the potential of the mycotoxins to induce DNA strand breaks was almost completely quenched, even before anaerobic incubation, by contact with the different fractions of the fecal samples, while the potency to induce formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG)-sensitive sites was only slightly reduced. These effects were in line with a reduction of mycotoxin concentrations found in samples analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Although a direct correlation between the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota and modifications in mycotoxin contents was not clearly observed, adsorptive phenomena to bacterial cells and to undigested food constituents might explain the observed modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Crudo
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Georg Aichinger
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jovana Mihajlovic
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Dellafiora
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Puntscher
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Warth
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Dall'Asta
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy
| | - David Berry
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Althanstr. 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Joint Microbiome Facility of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Marko
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währinger Str. 42, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Area Parco delle Scienze 27/A, 43124, Parma, Italy.
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Mujahid C, Savoy MC, Baslé Q, Woo PM, Ee ECY, Mottier P, Bessaire T. Levels of Alternaria Toxins in Selected Food Commodities Including Green Coffee. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090595. [PMID: 32942568 PMCID: PMC7551213 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria toxins are emerging mycotoxins, candidates for regulation by European Authorities. Therefore, highly sensitive, confirmatory, and reliable analytical methodologies are required for their monitoring in food. In that context, an isotope dilution LC-MS/MS method was developed for the analysis of five Alternaria toxins (Altenuene, Alternariol, Alternariol monomethylether, Tentoxin, and Tenuazonic Acid) in a broad range of commodities including cereals and cereal-based products, tomato-based products, tree nuts, vegetable oils, dried fruits, cocoa, green coffee, spices, herbs, and tea. Validation data collected in two different laboratories demonstrated the robustness of the method. Underestimation of Tenuazonic Acid level in dry samples such as cereals was reported when inappropriate extraction solvent mixtures were used as currently done in several published methodologies. An investigation survey performed on 216 food items evidenced large variations of Alternaria toxins levels, in line with data reported in the last EFSA safety assessment. The analysis of 78 green coffee samples collected from 21 producing countries demonstrated that coffee is a negligible source of exposure to Alternaria toxins. Its wide scope of application, adequate sample throughput, and high sensitivity make this method fit for purpose for the regular monitoring of Alternaria toxins in foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Mujahid
- Nestlé Research, Route du Jorat 57, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.M.); (M.-C.S.); (P.M.)
| | - Marie-Claude Savoy
- Nestlé Research, Route du Jorat 57, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.M.); (M.-C.S.); (P.M.)
| | - Quentin Baslé
- Nestlé Quality Assurance Center, 29 Quality Road, Singapore 618802, Singapore; (Q.B.); (P.M.W.); (E.C.Y.E.)
| | - Pei Mun Woo
- Nestlé Quality Assurance Center, 29 Quality Road, Singapore 618802, Singapore; (Q.B.); (P.M.W.); (E.C.Y.E.)
| | - Edith Chin Yean Ee
- Nestlé Quality Assurance Center, 29 Quality Road, Singapore 618802, Singapore; (Q.B.); (P.M.W.); (E.C.Y.E.)
| | - Pascal Mottier
- Nestlé Research, Route du Jorat 57, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.M.); (M.-C.S.); (P.M.)
| | - Thomas Bessaire
- Nestlé Research, Route du Jorat 57, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.M.); (M.-C.S.); (P.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-21-785-8323
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Reinholds I, Bogdanova E, Pugajeva I, Alksne L, Stalberga D, Valcina O, Bartkevics V. Determination of Fungi and Multi-Class Mycotoxins in Camelia Sinensis and Herbal Teas and Dietary Exposure Assessment. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12090555. [PMID: 32872457 PMCID: PMC7551389 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a study of fungal and multi-mycotoxin contamination in 140 Camellia sinensis and 26 herbal teas marketed in Latvia is discussed. The analysis was performed using two-dimensional liquid chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (2D-LC-TOF-MS) and MALDI-TOF-MS. In total, 87% of the tea samples tested positive for 32 fungal species belonging to 17 genera, with the total enumeration of moulds ranging between 1.00 × 101 and 9.00 × 104 CFU g−1. Moreover, 42% of the teas (n = 70) were contaminated by 1 to 16 mycotoxins, and 37% of these samples were positive for aflatoxins at concentrations ranging between 0.22 and 41.7 µg kg−1. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and its derivatives co-occurred in 63% of the tea samples, with their summary concentrations reaching 81.1 to 17,360 µg kg−1. Ochratoxin A (OTA), enniatins, and two Alternaria toxins were found in 10–37% of the teas at low concentrations. The dietary exposure assessment based on the assumption of a probable full transfer of determined mycotoxins into infusions indicated that the analysed teas are safe for consumers: the probable maximum daily exposure levels to OTA and the combined DON mycotoxins were only 0.88 to 2.05% and 2.50 to 78.9% of the tolerable daily intake levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingars Reinholds
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +371-2680-2448
| | - Estefanija Bogdanova
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
| | - Iveta Pugajeva
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
| | - Laura Alksne
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
| | - Darta Stalberga
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
| | - Olga Valcina
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
| | - Vadims Bartkevics
- Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Riga LV-1076, Latvia; (E.B.); (I.P.); (L.A.); (O.V.); (V.B.)
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Latvia, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
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Rossi F. A Long Road to Safer Food. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070453. [PMID: 32674275 PMCID: PMC7404980 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As a side eect of food production, mycotoxins have always accompanied humanity, even if the danger posed by these molecules has only recently been understood and new research has begun to identify and study ways to reduce their presence in food. [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Rossi
- Section of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Animal Sciences, Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
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Alternaria alternata Toxins Synergistically Activate the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway In Vitro. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071018. [PMID: 32659980 PMCID: PMC7407958 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternaria molds simultaneously produce a large variety of mycotoxins, of which several were previously reported to induce enzymes of phase I metabolism through aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. Thus, we investigated the potential of naturally occurring Alternaria toxin mixtures to induce Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1/1A2/1B1 activity. Two variants of an extract from cultured Alternaria alternata, as well as the toxins alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altertoxin I (ATX-I), and altertoxin II (ATX-II), were tested singularly and in binary mixtures applying the 7-ethoxy-resorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) assay in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Sub-cytotoxic concentrations of the two toxin mixtures, as well as ATX-I, ATX-II and AOH, exhibited dose-dependent enhancements of CYP 1 activity. ATX-I and ATX-II interacted synergistically in this respect, demonstrating the two perylene quinones as major contributors to the extract’s potential. Binary mixtures between AOH and the two altertoxins respectively exhibited concentration-dependent antagonistic as well as synergistic combinatory effects. Notably, AME showed no efficacy towards EROD enzyme activity or impact on other toxins’ efficacy. Hence, this study provides insights into synergistic and other combinatory effects of Alternaria toxins in natural co-occurrence scenarios in the context of AhR signalling pathway activation in breast cancer cells.
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Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12020118. [PMID: 32070037 PMCID: PMC7076783 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.
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