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Ge Y, Wang L, Su D, Yuan Q, Xiao C, Hu M, Kang C, Guo L, Zhou T, Zhang J. The sweating process promotes toxigenic fungi expansion and increases the risk of combined contamination of mycotoxins in Radix Dipsaci. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1394774. [PMID: 38903800 PMCID: PMC11187008 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1394774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Sweating is one of the most important processing methods of Chinese medicinal herbs. However, the high temperature and humidity environment required for sweating Chinese medicinal herbs makes it very easy for fungi to breed, especially toxigenic fungi. The mycotoxins produced by these fungi will then contaminate the Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, we explored the changes in mycobiota, toxigenic fungi, and mycotoxins with and without sweating in Radix Dipsaci (RD), a typical representative of traditional Chinese medicine that requires processing through sweating. We also isolated and identified the toxigenic fungi from RD, whether they were subjected to sweating treatment or not, and examined their toxigenic genes and ability. The results showed that the detection rate of mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin) in RD with sweating was 36%, which was 2.25-fold higher than that in RD without sweating. We also detected T-2 toxin in the RD with sweating, whereas it was not found in the RD without sweating. The sweating process altered the fungal composition and increased the abundance of Fusarium and Aspergillus in RD. Aspergillus and Fusarium were the most frequently contaminating fungi in the RD. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of key toxigenic fungal strains in RD samples, including A. flavus, A. westerdijkiae, F. oxysporum and F. graminearum. These four fungi, respectively, carried AflR, PKS, Tri7, and PKS14, which were key genes for the biosynthesis of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin. The toxigenic ability of these four fungal strains was verified in different matrices. We also found that A. flavus, A. westerdijkiae, and F. oxysporum were isolated in RD both with sweating and without sweating, but their isolation frequency was significantly higher in the RD with sweating than in the RD without sweating. F. graminearum was not isolated from RD without sweating, but it was isolated from RD with sweating. These findings suggest that the sweating process promotes the expansion of toxigenic fungi and increases the risk of combined mycotoxin contamination in RD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyan Ge
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Dapeng Su
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Qingsong Yuan
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Chenghong Xiao
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Min Hu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Chuanzhi Kang
- Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Lanping Guo
- Resource Institute for Chinese and Ethnic Materia Medica, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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Casu A, Camardo Leggieri M, Toscano P, Battilani P. Changing climate, shifting mycotoxins: A comprehensive review of climate change impact on mycotoxin contamination. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13323. [PMID: 38477222 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13323] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Climate change (CC) is a complex phenomenon that has the potential to significantly alter marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Global warming of 2°C is expected to be exceeded during the 21st century, and the frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, storms, droughts, extreme temperatures, and wildfires, has intensified globally over recent decades, differently affecting areas of the world. How CC may impact multiple food safety hazards is increasingly evident, with mycotoxin contamination in particular gaining in prominence. Research focusing on CC effects on mycotoxin contamination in edible crops has developed considerably throughout the years. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive literature search to collect available studies in the scientific literature published between 2000 and 2023. The selected papers highlighted how warmer temperatures are enabling the migration, introduction, and mounting abundance of thermophilic and thermotolerant fungal species, including those producing mycotoxins. Certain mycotoxigenic fungal species, such as Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum, are expected to readily acclimatize to new conditions and could become more aggressive pathogens. Furthermore, abiotic stress factors resulting from CC are expected to weaken the resistance of host crops, rendering them more vulnerable to fungal disease outbreaks. Changed interactions of mycotoxigenic fungi are likewise expected, with the effect of influencing the prevalence and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the future. Looking ahead, future research should focus on improving predictive modeling, expanding research into different pathosystems, and facilitating the application of effective strategies to mitigate the impact of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Casu
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Marco Camardo Leggieri
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Piero Toscano
- IBE-CNR, Institute of BioEconomy-National Research Council, Firenze, Italia
| | - Paola Battilani
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
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Sdogati S, Pacini T, Bibi R, Caporali A, Verdini E, Orsini S, Ortenzi R, Pecorelli I. Co-Occurrence of Aflatoxin B 1, Zearalenone and Ochratoxin A in Feed and Feed Materials in Central Italy from 2018 to 2022. Foods 2024; 13:313. [PMID: 38254614 PMCID: PMC10815256 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020313] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxin contamination of feed and feed materials represent a serious health hazard. This study details the occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in 826 feed and 617 feed material samples, collected in two Italian Regions (Umbria and Marche) from 2018 to 2022 analyzed using a UPLC-FLD platform. The developed method was validated and accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) with satisfactory accuracy and precision data obtained in repeatability and intralaboratory reproducibility conditions. Feed had a higher incidence of contaminated samples (26%) with respect to feed materials (6%). AFB1 was found up to 0.1045 mg/kg in cattle feeds and 0.1234 mg/kg in maize; ZEN was detected up to 6.420 mg/kg in sheep feed while OTA was rarely reported and in lower concentrations (up to 0.085 mg/kg). Co-contamination of at least two mycotoxins was reported in 0.8% of the analyzed samples. The incidence of above maximum content/guidance level samples was 2% for feed and feed materials while almost 3-fold-higher for maize (5.8%) suggesting how mycotoxin contamination can affect some matrices more than others. Obtained data can be useful to improve official monitoring plans and therefore further raise awareness of this issue between agriculture stakeholders, healthcare entities and non-professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Sdogati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, 06126 Perugia, Italy (I.P.)
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4
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Impact of the implementation of tailored management strategies to reduce the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk-supply chain in Italy. Food Control 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
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Fucic A, Mantovani A, Vena J, Bloom MS, Sincic N, Vazquez M, Aguado-Sierra J. Impact of endocrine disruptors from mother's diet on immuno-hormonal orchestration of brain development and introduction of the virtual human twin tool. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 117:108357. [PMID: 36863570 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Diet has long been known to modify physiology during development and adulthood. However, due to a growing number of manufactured contaminants and additives over the last few decades, diet has increasingly become a source of exposure to chemicals that has been associated with adverse health risks. Sources of food contaminants include the environment, crops treated with agrochemicals, inappropriate storage (e.g., mycotoxins) and migration of xenobiotics from food packaging and food production equipment. Hence, consumers are exposed to a mixture of xenobiotics, some of which are endocrine disruptors (EDs). The complex interactions between immune function and brain development and their orchestration by steroid hormones are insufficiently understood in human populations, and little is known about the impact on immune-brain interactions by transplacental fetal exposure to EDs via maternal diet. To help to identify the key data gaps, this paper aims to present (a) how transplacental EDs modify immune system and brain development, and (b) how these mechanisms may correlate with diseases such as autism and disturbances of lateral brain development. Attention is given to disturbances of the subplate, a transient structure of crucial significance in brain development. Additionally, we describe cutting edge approaches to investigate the developmental neurotoxicity of EDs, such as the application of artificial intelligence and comprehensive modelling. In the future, highly complex investigations will be performed using virtual brain models constructed using sophisticated multi-physics/multi-scale modelling strategies based on patient and synthetic data, which will enable a greater understanding of healthy or disturbed brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C 2, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - A Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Rome, Italy
| | - J Vena
- Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - M S Bloom
- Global and Community Health, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA, USA
| | - N Sincic
- Medical School, University of Zagreb, Salata 3, Croatia
| | - M Vazquez
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - J Aguado-Sierra
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
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Compliance between Food and Feed Safety: Eight-Year Survey (2013–2021) of Aflatoxin M1 in Raw Milk and Aflatoxin B1 in Feed in Northern Italy. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15030168. [PMID: 36977059 PMCID: PMC10057617 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) are fungal metabolites that are found in feed and food. When ruminants eat feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), it is metabolised and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is excreted in the milk. Aflatoxins can result in hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, and immunosuppressive effects. The European Union thus set a low threshold limit (50 ng/L) for presence of AFM1 in milk. This was in view of its possible presence also in dairy products and that quantification of these toxins is mandatory for milk suppliers. In the present study, a total of 95,882 samples of whole raw milk, collected in northern Italy between 2013 and 2021, were evaluated for presence of AFM1 using an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. The study also evaluated the relationship between feed materials collected from the same farms in the same area during the same period (2013–2021) and milk contamination. Only 667 milk samples out of 95,882 samples analysed (0.7%) showed AFM1 values higher than the EU threshold limit of 50 ng/L. A total of 390 samples (0.4%) showed values between 40 and 50 ng/L, thus requiring corrective action despite not surpassing the regulatory threshold. Combining feed contamination and milk contamination data, some feedingstuffs seem to be more effective in defying potential carryover of AFs from feed to milk. Combining the results, it can be concluded that a robust monitoring system that covers both feed, with a special focus on high risk/sentinel matrices, and milk is essential to guarantee high quality and safety standards of dairy products.
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Ferrari L, Fumagalli F, Rizzi N, Grandi E, Vailati S, Manoni M, Ottoboni M, Cheli F, Pinotti L. An Eight-Year Survey on Aflatoxin B1 Indicates High Feed Safety in Animal Feed and Forages in Northern Italy. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14110763. [PMID: 36356013 PMCID: PMC9699321 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14110763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) remain the main concern for the agricultural and dairy industries due to their effects on the performances and quality of livestock production. Aflatoxins are always unavoidable and should be monitored. The objective of this paper is to bring to light a significant volume of data on AF contamination in several animal feed ingredients in Northern Italy. The Regional Breeders Association of Lombardy has been conducting a survey program to monitor mycotoxin contamination in animal feeds, and in this paper, we present data relating to AFB1 contamination. In most cases (95%), the concentrations were low enough to ensure compliance with the European Union's (EU's) maximum admitted levels for animal feed ingredients. However, the data show a high variability in AF contamination between different matrices and, within the same matrix, a high variability year over year. High levels of AFs were detected in maize and cotton, especially in the central part of the second decade of this century, i.e., 2015-2018, which has shown a higher risk of AF contamination in feed materials in Northern Italy. Variability due to climate change and the international commodity market affect future prospects to predict the presence of AFs. Supplier monitoring and control and reduced buying of contaminated raw materials, as well as performing analyses of each batch, help reduce AF spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Francesca Fumagalli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Rizzi
- Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Lombardia (ARAL), Via Kennedy, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Elisa Grandi
- Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Lombardia (ARAL), Via Kennedy, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Serena Vailati
- Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Lombardia (ARAL), Via Kennedy, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Michele Manoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Matteo Ottoboni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Federica Cheli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- CRC I-WE (Coordinating Research Centre: Innovation for Well-Being and Environment), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano Pinotti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’ Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy
- CRC I-WE (Coordinating Research Centre: Innovation for Well-Being and Environment), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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