Analysis of Fourteen Mycotoxins in Chili Peppers in Guizhou Province Combining DES-DLLME and UHPLC-MS/MS and Their Risk Evaluation

Mycotoxins exist widely in food and have a serious impact on human health.At present,most detection methods of mycotoxins are costly and time-consuming.Most of these methods are aimed at detecting a single type of mycotoxin,and the efficiency is not high.On this basis,in this study,QuEChERS-deep eutectic solvent liquid-liquid microextraction was applied to extract and enrich 14 mycotoxins in chili peppers from the concept of green chemistry.A simple,time-consuming and environment-friendly multi-flux pretreatment method was established,and 100 chili pepper samples were randomly sampled from farmers'markets and supermarkets in major urban areas of Guizhou Province for detection,and risk assessment was carried out according to the detection results.

Impact of mycotoxins and their metabolites associated with food grains

Mycotoxins are secondary toxic metabolites synthesized by numerous filamentous fungi including members of the genus Fusarium,Penicillium,Drechslera,Aspergillus,Claviceps,Monascum,Alternaria,Cephalosporium,Nigrospora,and Trichoderma.Among them,Aspergillus and Fusarium species are major plant pathogens recognized to induce infection and produce mycotoxins in food crops.More than 400 mycotoxins have been documented and among them,aflatoxin,fumonisins,trichothecenes,zearalenone,ochratoxin A,citrinin,ergot alkaloids,and patulin are the most prominent compounds linked to a variety of human and animal health disorders.Genus Fusarium and Aspergillus belong to a saprophytic group,which can infect and contaminate many crops at pre and post-harvest stages.Mycotoxins can have a variety of negative effects on health in both humans and animals.Mycotoxins and their metabolites can cause severe acute poisoning,which can result in death,as well as long-term negative health effects,such as cancer and immune-suppressive disorders in living beings(animals and humans).Mycotoxin contamination of agricultural goods has gained global significance,due to its toxic effects on living beings,as well as its importance to international trade.Our objective is to provide a consolidated information on the potential mycotixs in food grains and their significant impact on the health of the human beings.

Effects of Mycotoxin from Maize on Immune Response of Vaccine for Piglets

[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mycotoxin from moldy maize on immune response of piglets.[Method] ELISA method was used to determine the content of Aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A in maize; after the piglets were fed with the moldy maize,the corresponding antibody titers in the serums of piglets were measured.[Result] Antibody levels of tested group were obvious lower than that of the control,while the histological section of immune organs also suggested that mycotoxin could significantly inhibit the immune response of piglets.[Conclusion] Mycotoxin in maize had important effects on the internal organs and immune response of piglets.

Mycotoxin’s Infections and Prevention Methods: State of the Art

Fungi that attack field crops and contaminate agricultural commodities produce mycotoxins when conditions are favorable. These are specialized metabolites made of poisonous chemical compounds created by bacteria, fungi, or plants that aren’t involved in the organism’s usual growth, development, or reproduction. They have an adversarial hold on humans, wildlife, and the agricultural sector, resulting in mysterious ailments and economic disruptions. Mycotoxins-tainted food and fodder can be found all over the world, posing a global concern. Consumption of contaminated food and fodder is a typical cause of epidemic outbreaks. Other mycotoxins have been associated with esophageal cancer and neural tube defects (NTDs);the immunotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) causes diarrhea when combined with trichothecenes, and ochratoxin A (OTA) has been linked to kidney failure. The direct market costs associated with missed trade or lower revenues owing to tainted food or feed could be viewed as the economic repercussions of mycotoxins on human society. This review describes frequent groups of mycotoxins in detail, their impact on global health, their impact on the socio-economy;the methods of detection and prevention of these mycotoxins.

Alleviation of mycotoxin biodegradation agent on zearalenone and deoxynivalenol toxicosis in immature gilts

Background: The current study was carried out to evaluate the effects of mycotoxin biodegradation agent(MBA, composed of Bacillus subtilis ANSB01 G and Devosia sp. ANSB714) on relieving zearalenone(ZEA) and deoxynivalenol(DON) toxicosis in immature gilts.Methods: A total of forty pre-pubertal female gilts(61.42 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly allocated to four diet treatments: CO(positive control); MO(negative control, ZEA 596.86 μg/kg feed and DON 796 μg/kg feed);COA(CO + 2 g MBA/kg feed); MOA(MO + 2 g MBA/kg feed). Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 gilt per replicate. Gilts were housed in an environmentally controlled room with the partially slatted floor.Results: During the entire experimental period of 28 d, average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of gilts in MO group was significantly reduced compared with those in CO group. The vulva size of gilts was significantly higher in MO group than CO group. In addition, significant increases in the plasma levels of Ig A,Ig G, IL-8, IL-10 and PRL were determined in MO group compared with that in CO group. ZEA and DON in the diet upregulated apoptotic caspase-3 in ovaries and uteri, along with down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in ovaries. The supplementation of MBA into diets co-contaminated with ZEA and DON significantly increased ADG, decreased the vulva sizes, reduced the levels of Ig G, IL-8 and PRL in plasma, and regulated apoptosis in ovaries and uteri of gilts.Conclusions: The present results indicated that feeding diet contaminated with ZEA and DON simultaneously(596.86 μg/kg + 796 μg/kg) had detrimental effects on growth performance, plasma immune function and reproductive status of gilts. And MBA could reduce the negative impacts of these two toxins, believed as a promising feed additive for mitigating toxicosis of ZEA and DON at low levels in gilts.

Mycotoxin detection——Recent trends at global level

Mycotoxin contamination in agro-food systems has been a serious concern globally during the last few decades. Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi when they grow in agro-food products and feedstuff. Several detection techniques have been developed in recent years to detect mycotoxins in the food and feed effectively. HPLC based tech- niques are very common in usage in the laboratories for the testing of mycotoxins. In recent years, immuno-based assays is widely used and have been reported at large due to its sensitivity and limited detection time. Immuno assay-based kits were developed effectively to be used in the fields and in storage systems to detect the mycotoxin levels. Microarray-based immunoassays developed in the recent years could simultaneously detect afiatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone with the higher sensitivity. Aptamer-based assays could target the detection of ochratoxin and aflatoxins and fumonisins at high specificity in food products. In recent years, several assays reported for the simultaneous multiple detection of different mycotoxin was based on HPLC and LC-MS/MS. There is a need for the use of these advanced technologies in the com- mercial scale.

Morphological and molecular response of small intestine to lactulose and hydrogen-rich water in female piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet

Background: Following the intake of Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed,small intestines may be exposed to high levels of toxic substances that can potentially damage intestinal functions in livestock.It is well known that Fusarium mycotoxins will lead a breakdown of the normally impeccable epithelial barrier,resulting in the development of a "leaky" gut.H2 administration with different methods has been proved definitely potentials to prevent serious intestinal diseases.The goal of this study is to investigate the roles of lactulose(LAC) and hydrogenrich water(HRW) in preventing intestinal dysfunction in piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed.Methods: A total of 24 female piglets were evenly assigned to 4 groups: negative control(NC) group,mycotoxincontaminated(MC) feed group,MC feed with LAC treatment(MC + LAC),and MC feed with HRW treatment(MC +HRW),respectively.Piglets in the NC group were fed uncontaminated control diet,while remaining piglets were fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet.For the NC and MC groups,10 mL/kg body weight(BW) of hydrogen-free water(HFW) was orally administrated to piglets twice daily;while in the MC + LAC and MC + HRW groups,piglets were treated with the same dose of LAC solution(500 mg/kg BW) and HRW twice daily,respectively.On d 25,serum was collected and used for biochemical analysis.Intestinal tissues were sampled for morphological examination as well as relative genes and protein expression analysis.Results: Our data showed that Fusarium mycotoxins induced higher serum diamine oxidase(DAO) activities(P < 0.05),D-lactic acid levels(P < 0.01),and endotoxin status(P < 0.01),lower villus height(P < 0.01) and ratio of villus height to crypt depth(P < 0.05) in small intestine,greater apoptosis index and higher mRNA expression related to tight junctions(P < 0.05).In addition,the distribution and down-regulation of claudin-3(CLDN3) protein in the small intestinal was also observed.As expected,oral administrations of HRW and LAC were found to remarkably provide beneficial effects against Fusarium mycotoxin-induced apoptosis and intestinal leaking.Moreover,either HRW or LAC treatments were also revealed to prevent abnormal intestinal morphological changes,disintegrate tight junctions,and restore the expression and distribution of CLDN3 protein in the small intestinal mucosal layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.Conclusions: Our data suggest that orally administrations of HRW and LAC result in less Fusarium mycotoxininduced apoptosis and leak in the small intestine.Either HRW or LAC treatments could prevent the abnormal changes of intestinal morphology and molecular response of tight junctions as well as restore the distribution and expression of CLDN3 protein of small intestinal mucosa layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.

Invited review:Remediation strategies for mycotoxin control in feed

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of different species of fungi.Aflatoxin B1(AFB1),deoxynivalenol(DON),zearalenone(ZEN)and fumonisin B1(FB1)are the main mycotoxins contaminating animal feedstuffs.These mycotoxins can primarily induce hepatotoxicity,immunotoxicity,neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity,consequently cause adverse effects on the health and performance of animals.Therefore,physical,chemical,biological and nutritional regulation approaches have been developed as primary strategies for the decontamination and detoxification of these mycotoxins in the feed industry.Meanwhile,each of these techniques has its drawbacks,including inefficient,costly,or impractically applied on large scale.This review summarized the advantages and disadvantages of the different remediation strategies,as well as updates of the research progress of these strategies for AFB1,DON,ZEN and FB1 control in the feed industry.

PREVENTIVE DETECTION OF FUNGI AND MYCOTOXINS IN CORN FROM HIGH RISKAREA OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN CIXIAN COUNTY

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination in the corn flour used by the local residents in the high incidence area of esophageal cancer as main foodstuff was analysed with classical fungal culture and high performance liquid chromatography methods from 1990 to 1991.The results showed that fungal contamination in the corn was quite severe in all the samples from the four villages with different geographic features.Sterigmatocystin,Deoxynivalenol, Aflatoxin B1, B1 and G1 contamination were found.

Contamination of Fungi and Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs in High Risk Area of Esophageal Cancer

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination has been found in fordstuffs from Cixian County, an area with a high incidence of esophageal carcinoma (Eca). To set a scientific foundation for the prevention of Eca at the etiological level, fungal and mycotoxin contaminations of local foodstuffs in Cixian County were analyzed using classical fungal culture methods and HPLC. From 1990 to 1994, 220 corn/wheat samples and 34 corn samples were studied. As a control, 26 corn samples collected from a relatively low incidence area of Eca in Zanhuang County were analyzed for mycotoxins in 1990. The results showed that fungal contamination in corn and wheat was severe and that several of the predominant contaminating fungi such as Furasium moniliforme, etc. were carcinogenic. HPLC results showed that the detection rate and mean content of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) in the mountainous area (5/8; 9. 14 μg/kg) were significantly higher than those in the hilly (0; 0) and plain areas (1/18; 1. 29 μg/kg) as well as in low risk area control samples (3/26; 0. 76 μg/kg). Detection rates of deoxynivalenol (DON) in mountainous and hilly areas (5/8, 4/8 respectively) were slightly higher than that in plain area (8/18), while the mean content of DON in the plain area was significantly higher (90. 45-170. 22 vs 50. 56 and 46. 45 μg/kg).Among the different aflatoxins, AFB1 was detected in samples from the two villages in the plain area for the subsequent two years. The mean content of AFB1 was 0. 0183μg/kg, and the highest level was 0. 0497 μg/kg. No AFB1 was detected in the samples from mountainous and hilly areas. AFG1 was detected in more than half of all the samples, and its concentration ranged from 8. 77 to 46. 51 ng/kg. No AFG2 was found in the samples. Thus, the results suggest that at present, fungal and mycotoxin contamination of foodstuffs in Cixian County are quite common.

Multi-mycotoxin exposure and risk assessments for Chinese consumption of nuts and dried fruits

In this study, 15 mycotoxins were detected in 233 nut and dried fruit samples from China. The 15 mycotoxins included aflatoxins （AFs： AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2）, trichothecene toxins （TCs： T-2, ZEA, ENA, ENA1, ENB, ENB1 and BEA）, Alternaria toxins （ATs： TEN, AOH and AME） and ochratoxin A （OTA）. The mycotoxins were detected in 47.6% of the samples and all 15 of the mycotoxins were found. Two samples were positive for AFB1 and exceeded the maximum tolerable levels allowed in China. The contamination levels of the mycotoxins found in nuts, dried jujubes, raisins, dried figs and dried Iongans were in the ranges of 0.1-462.7, 0.2-247.3, 0.8-10.1,0.2-384.1 and 0.1-89.2 μg kg^-1, respectively. Dried figs （80.0%） had the highest incidence of mycotoxins, followed by dried Iongans （60.0%）, dried jujubes （57.1%）, nuts （43.6%） and raisins （26.7%）. The estimated daily intake （EDI） values of each individual mycotoxin and all of the mycotoxins collectively were calculated by both the deterministic approach （DA） and the probability approach （PA）. For risk characterization, dietary exposure to TCs, ATs and OTA through consumption of nuts and dried fruits according to both approaches, showed no health risk to Chinese adults by exposure to either individual mycotoxins or in combination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work in which risk assessment of multimycotoxins is performed, specifically including the emerging ENNs and BEA, in nuts and dried fruits of China.

Fast determination of multi-mycotoxins in corn by dispersive solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A fast analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 9 mycotoxins, including alfatoxins （B1, B2, G1, and G2）, fumonisins （B1, B2 and B3）, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in corn using dispersive solid-phase extraction method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole time-of-lfight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was developed and validated. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile-water （84：16, v：v, containing 1% acetic acid） using ultrasonic extraction. The extracts were puriifed with a dispersive SPE method using C18 as a cleaning agent. The ifnal clear extracts were dried by nitrogen blowing and subsequently redissolved in methanol-water （5：5, v：v）. The samples were then analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS with 0.1% formic acid in ammonium acetate-methanol as mobile phase. The mean recoveries were ranged from 68.0 to 120.0%, and the relative standard deviation （RSD） ranged from 0.18 to 6.29%. Limits of detections ranged from 0.05 to 50 μg kg？1, and limits of quantiifcation ranged from 0.1 to 200 μg kg？1, which were below the legal limits set by the European Union for the legislated mycotoxins. The developed method was applied to 130 corn samples. Among the mycotoxins studied, alfatoxins B1 and fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 were the most predominant mycotoxins, and their concentrations were 0–593.12, 0–2.01×104, 0–6.94×103 and 0–3.05×103 μg kg–1, respectively.

Fungal contamination of crude herbal remedies as a possible source of mycotoxin exposure in man

Objective:The documented evidence of toxigenic fungi and their toxic metabolites on medicinal plants,coupled with the ability of these toxins to resist decomposition and temperature treatments necessitated this study,with a view of surveying for a possible carry over into the final medicinal products.As such popular indigenous crude herbal preparations widely consumed for various ailments in south-western Nigeria,were screened for fungal contamination,mycoflora enumeration,flora mycotoxin productibility,detection and quantification of a potent human carcinogen(aflatoxin). Methods:Fungal contamination was assessed on acidified potato dextrose agar using the plate count method, while mycotoxin detection,extraction and quantification were achieved by the thin - layer chromatography and chemical confirmation techniques.Mycoflora were characterized by standard procedures.Results:The total plate count ranged from 1.80×10~4 CFU/ML to 1.1×10~5 CFU/ML and 2.00×10~3 CFU/ML to 1.38×10~5 CFU/ML for water and dry gin extracted preparations respectively.The mycoflora consisted of six genera(Aspergillus,Penicillium,Fusarium, Mucor,Alternaria and Rhizopus).Thirty-four percent(34%) of the potential toxigenic species(Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium) produced mycotoxins in culture,while further characterization indicated production of aflatoxin Bl(42%),ochratoxin A(50%) and penicillic acid(8%) by the mycotoxigenic strains respectively. The aflatoxin content of the herbal medicines ranged between 0.004μg/kg and 0.345μg/kg.Conclusion:The study confirmed the carry over of the fungal contaminants and their toxic metabolites into the final herbal medicines in quantities that exceeded some of the available limits.The implication of this is that the chronic exposure to mycotoxins particularly aflatoxins as a result of long term consumption of these preparations,could lead to impaired growth, nutritional interference,immunologic suppression and hepatocellular carcinoma in the consumers.

Nutritional impact of mycotoxins in food animal production and strategies for mitigation

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that are commonly detected as natural contaminants in agricultural commodities worldwide.Mycotoxin exposure can lead to mycotoxicosis in both animals and humans when found in animal feeds and food products,and at lower concentrations can affect animal performance by disrupting nutrient digestion,absorption,metabolism,and animal physiology.Thus,mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds represents a significant issue to the livestock industry and is a health threat to food animals.Since prevention of mycotoxin formation is difficult to undertake to avoid contamination,mitigation strategies are needed.This review explores how the mycotoxins aflatoxins,deoxynivalenol,zearalenone,fumonisins and ochratoxin A impose nutritional and metabolic effects on food animals and summarizes mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of mycotoxicity.

REVIEW Risk Assessment of the Mycotoxin Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OA) is a mycotoxin which has been found to occur in foods of plant origin, in edible animal tissues, as well as in human blood sera and tissues. The ability of OA to move up the food chain is aided by its long half-life in certain edible animal species. In this report, an evaluation of the health risks to Canadians due to the presence of OA in food products is presented. The first part of the report deals with the physicochemical aspects, mycology, laboratory production, analytical methods, and natural occurrence in plant products, animal products, and human tissues. The stability of OA in foods and feeds, the effects of food processing, and the removal from foods and feeds by physicochemical means are also discussed. From these data, the worst case estimate for the daily exposure of Canadians to OA, from the consumption of pork-based food products and cereal foods, is approximately 5 ng OA/kg body wt (mean of eaters) for young children, the highest consumption group on a body weight basis. The second part of the report deals with the metabolic disposition as well as the available toxicity database for OA in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans. The major target for OA toxicity in all mammalian species tested is the kidney, and endemic nephropathies affecting livestock as well as humans have been attributed to OA. OA is also teratogenic, and in the fetus the major target is the developing central nervous system. Recent studies have provided 'clear evidence' of the carcinogenicity of OA in two rodent species. OA was found to be nonmutagenic in various microbial and mammalian gene mutation assays, but weak genotoxic activity to mammalian cells was noted. In addition, OA was found to suppress immune function. Based on the NTP carcinogenicity study with OA in rats, the estimated tolerable daily intake in humans ranges from 0.2 to 4.2 ng OA/kg body wt, depending on the method of extrapolation used. In view of the toxic properties of OA, it is recommended that exposure to OA be kept to a minimum. In Canada, further monitoring programs are required to better define the overall residue profile of OA in cereal grains, animal feeds, animal food products, and human blood. Such data are required to better assess dietary exposure and to ascertain the need for regulatory controls or other control mechanisms. (c)1989 Academic Press, Inc.

Recent advances in immunoassays and biosensors for mycotoxins detection in feedstuffs and foods

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungus.Many mycotoxin species are highly toxic and are frequently found in cereals and feedstuffs.So,powerful detection methods are vital and effective ways to prevent feed contamination.Traditional detection methods can no longer meet the needs of massive,real-time,simple,and fast mycotoxin monitoring.Rapid detection methods based on advanced material and sensor technology are the future trend.In this review,we highlight recent progress of mycotoxin rapid detection strategies in feedstuffs and foods,especially for simultaneous multiplex mycotoxin determination.Immunoassays,biosensors,and the prominent roles of nanomaterials are introduced.The principles of different types of recognition and signal transduction are explained,and the merits and pitfalls of these methods are compared.Furthermore,limitations and challenges of existing rapid sensing strategies and perspectives of future research are discussed.

Investigation of the Biochemical and Histological Changes Induced by Zearalenone Mycotoxin on Liver in Male Mice and the Protective Role of Crude Venom Extracted from Jellyfish <i>Cassiopea Andromeda</i>

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species of fungi which contaminate human foods and animal feeds worldwide. In this study hepatotoxicity of ZEN was evaluated in mice by oral adminis-tration of single and repeated doses of ZEN mycotoxin (2.7 mg/kg b.w.). The protective effect of crude venom extracted from jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda was also assessed. Mice were divided into four groups (N = 10). G1: receiving the toxin once and sacrificed 48 h later, G2: toxin administered twice for one week, G3: toxin administered twice a week for two weeks, G4: pretreated orally by a single dose of crude venom (1.78 mg/20g) 24 hours prior to administration of ZEN twice a week for two weeks. Each treated group had its corresponding control which received 1% DMSO sa-line.ZEN treatment significantly increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartateaminotrnsferase (AST) and alka-line phosphatase (ALP) activities after 48 hours and two weeks, while ALT was also significantly increased after one week. Tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α) level was undetected in treated and control groups except the group treated with ZEN for one week. Alphafetoprotein (AFP) level was increased significantly only after two weeks. The activity of antioxidants was significantly increased in all groups. ZEN was also found to modify the serum proteins especially gamma-globulin which showed a significant decrease after 48 h and two weeks. Improvement in liver func-tion occurred in the group pretreated with the crude venom, and AFP and antioxidants returned to normal level, while TNF-α level was also undetected. Gamma globulin was significantly increased. The recovery observed in the group which was pretreated with crude venom may related to bradykinin content of this venom which exhibits a hepatoprotective effect. Histological changes in mouse liver coincided with biochemical changes. In conclusion, this study revealed that ZEN induced liver function and structural changes promising an approach for using a crude venom of jellyfish to enhance liver function.

Determination of ETM, Histamine and Mycotoxins in Garba, a Traditional Ivoirian Meal

The methods of preparation, conservation and sale of Garba, the traditional Ivorian street meal, abundantly consumed in C&ocirc;te d’Ivoire, can be exposed to various infections resulting in the poisoning of consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygienic quality of Garba through the analysis and the determination of certain toxic chemicals. In three hundred (300) samples of Garba collected in four districts in Abidjan, toxic metals (cadmium, mercury, lead), biogenic amine (histamine) and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) were detected and quantified using official standardized methods. Different toxics analyzed were present at various levels in the Garba. The mercury, lead, cadmium and histamine levels in the Garba were respectively 0.19 mg/kg, 0.19 mg/kg, 0.03 mg/kg and 32.69 mg/kg. The detected mycotoxins included aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A, with respective average proportions of 3.44 μg/kg, 1.90 μg/kg, 8.07 μg/kg, 0.56 μg/kg and 0.42 μg/kg. The mycotoxins levels in the Garba are higher than the recommended toxic levels, particularly the ones in aflatoxin B1 and G1. This suggests a sanitary risk associated with the consumption of this meal. Consequently, awareness campaigns and training of the Garba sellers in hygiene and a better regulation of this sector by the competent authorities are required.

Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins Intake through the Consumption of Maize, Peanuts, Rice and Cassava in Côte D’Ivoire

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi that colonize a wide range of crops, including cereals and oilseeds, both in the field and after harvest, especially during storage. Several studies carried out on the occurrence of mycotoxins in crops and their derived products such as maize, peanuts, rice and attieke (cassava product), reported substantial levels of Aflatoxins (AFs), Fumonisins (FBs), Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Zearalenone (ZEA). The aim of the present study was to analyze findings available on Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A and Fusarium toxins occurrence in maize, peanuts, rice and attieke in order to assess the exposure level and cancers risk in the Ivorian population. References and publications related to OTA in Côte d’Ivoire were searched and selected. Medline/PubMed, Elsevier Bibliographic Databases, BioInfoBank Library, DOAJ (Directory of Open Acess Journal), Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences and https://medwelljournals.com/home.php were used as databases. Data available showed Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of AFs and OTA were above of their Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Experts Committee on Food Additives through rice, maize, peanut and attieke consumption in Côte d’Ivoire. In addition, there is a veritable incidence of cancers with the abundant and frequent consumption of foods maize, rice, peanuts and attieke. However, maize and rice seemed to be sources of FBs

Occurrence of Fungi and Mycotoxins in Some Commercial Baby Foods in North Africa

Aflatoxins, are one of over 200 known mycotoxins produced by filamentous fungi. They are toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic and may be present in many raw and processed food commodities including cereals and milk used as ingredients in infant food products. Consumption of these commodities may pose a potential risk to the health of infants. The mycoflora of 84 samples of baby food commercially available in North Africa was determined. The feeds were screened for mycotoxins using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and further analyses were carried for the total aflatoxins by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a Kobra cell to derivatise the aflatoxins (B1, G1, B2 and G2). Twenty-four fungal isolates were recovered from the samples consisting of 5 Aspergillus. spp, 13 Penicillum. spp, 5 Mucor. spp and an unidentified species Of these, 45.8% of the isolates were found to be mycotoxigenic however only 2.4% of the samples contained aflatoxins (19 to 70 μg·kg–1) and the remaining contained undetectable levels of the toxin. Storage at elevated relative humidity for 7 days showed a slight increase in the fungal counts but the toxin levels were unaffected. The results show the importance of periodic testing regime of ingredients used infant food formula for the presence of fungal contamination.