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Toxins Apr 2021In recent years, the less-studied mycotoxins have attracted increasing interest due to the lack of survey data and their ability to cause toxic effects in animals and...
In recent years, the less-studied mycotoxins have attracted increasing interest due to the lack of survey data and their ability to cause toxic effects in animals and humans. To fill the gap, the aim of this three-year survey was to investigate the presence and co-occurrence of and other mycotoxins in a total of 433 cereal grain samples from Slovenian farms and agricultural cooperatives from 2014 to 2016. Using the multi-mycotoxin method, 14 mycotoxins were determined. In 53% of 433 analysed samples, contamination with at least one mycotoxin was found. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were present in 32% and 26% of cereal grain samples, respectively, whereas alternariol (AOH), tentoxin (TEN), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3- and 15-AcDON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were present in fewer than 15% of the samples. Ochratoxin A (OTA) was found in one rye sample, while diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), HT-2 and T-2 toxin, and fumonisins B and B (FB1 and FB2) were not detected. The highest maximum and median concentrations of toxins were determined in spelt in 2016 (TeA, 2277 µg/kg and 203 µg/kg, respectively), and those of toxins in wheat in 2015 (DON, 4082 µg/kg and 387 µg/kg, respectively). The co-occurrence of two or more mycotoxins was found in 43% of the positive samples. The correlations between toxins were very weak but statistically significant (r: 0.15-0.17, : 0.0042-0.0165). A well-known correlation between toxins DON and ZEN was weak and highly significant (r = 0.28, < 0.0001).
Topics: Alternaria; Animal Feed; Edible Grain; Food Microbiology; Fusarium; Lactones; Limit of Detection; Mycotoxins; Ochratoxins; Peptides, Cyclic; Slovenia; Tenuazonic Acid; Trichothecenes; Zearalenone
PubMed: 33923249
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13050304 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2023Exposure to bioaerosols has been associated with the occurrence of a variety of health impacts, including infectious illnesses, acute toxic effects, allergies, and...
Exposure to bioaerosols has been associated with the occurrence of a variety of health impacts, including infectious illnesses, acute toxic effects, allergies, and cancer. This study aimed at evaluating airborne bacteria and fungi populations at different indoor and outdoor sites on a college campus in Bengaluru, India. Bioaerosol samples were collected using a two-stage Andersen air sampler; and isolates were identified using standard procedures. Six air samples and meteorological data were collected in March and April 2014 to examine the effects of temperature and relative humidity on bioaerosol concentration using linear regression modeling. Among all sites, the canteen showed the highest bioaerosol levels both indoors and outdoors. Specific bacterial identification was not possible, but gram staining and microscopic analysis helped to identify gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The most prevalent fungal species in the samples were Cladosporium, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Mucor, and Alternaria. Due to the impact of weather conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, the bioaerosol concentration varied greatly at each site according to the regression model. The indoor bioaerosol concentrations at all sites exceeded the values established by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (< 250 CFU/m for total fungi and < 500 CFU/m for total bacteria). Higher concentrations of bioaerosols may be attributed to the transportation of microbes from the ground surface to suspended particles, the release of microbes from the respiratory tract, higher rate of shredding of human skin cells, and many other factors.
Topics: Humans; Fungi; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Air Pollution, Indoor; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Bacteria; Alternaria; Air Microbiology; Environmental Monitoring; Aerosols
PubMed: 37872255
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44315-z -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2021Crude oil spills as a result of natural disasters or extraction and transportation operations are common nowadays. Oil spills have adverse effects on both aquatic and...
Crude oil spills as a result of natural disasters or extraction and transportation operations are common nowadays. Oil spills have adverse effects on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and pose a threat to human health. This study have been concerned with studying the capability of six fungal species (, , , , , and ) and three fungal consortia (FC), FC1 ( and ), FC2 ( and ), and FC3 (, and ), to remediate petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs). Qualitative and quantitative changes in polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and saturated hydrocarbons (SH) mixtures and the patterns of PHs degradation have been examined using HPLC and GC. Studying the GC chromatogram of revealed severe degradation of SHs exhibited by this species, and the normal-paraffin and isoparaffin degradation percentage have been valued 97.19% and 98.88%, respectively. has shown the highest significant (at ˂ 0.05) PAH degradation percent reaching 72.07%; followed by 59.51%. HPLC data have revealed that high-molecular-weight PAH percent/total PAHs decreased significantly from 98.94% in control samples to 68.78% in samples treated with . FC1 and FC2 consortia have exhibited the highest significant PH deterioration abilities than did the individual isolates, indicating that these fungal consortia exhibited positive synergistic effects. The study supports the critical idea of the potential PAH and SH biodegradation as a more ecologically acceptable alternative to their chemical degradation.
Topics: Alternaria; Ascomycota; Biodegradation, Environmental; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cladosporium; Curvularia; Hydrocarbons; Penicillium chrysogenum; Petroleum; Petroleum Pollution; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Scopulariopsis
PubMed: 34054359
DOI: 10.1155/2021/6641533 -
Mycotoxin Research May 2022Fungi and mycotoxins in silage can have detrimental consequences for both cattle and human health. This pilot study identified, via the routinary direct plating method,...
Fungi and mycotoxins in silage can have detrimental consequences for both cattle and human health. This pilot study identified, via the routinary direct plating method, the dominant cultivable fungi in mouldy grass silages (GS) (n = 19) and maize silages (MS) (n = 28) from Austria. The profiles of regulated, modified, and emerging mycotoxins together with other fungal metabolites were analysed via LC-(ESI)MS/MS. Penicillium roqueforti, Saccharomyces spp., Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Monascus ruber were the most frequent fungal organisms identified. Other species including Mucor circinelloides, Fusarium spp. and Paecilomyces niveus were detected at lower frequencies. The presence of complex mixtures of toxic and potentially toxic compounds was evidenced by high levels and occurrences (≥ 50%) of Penicillium-produced compounds such as mycophenolic acid (MPA), roquefortines (ROCs), andrastins (ANDs) and marcfortine A. Mouldy silages contained toxins commonly produced by genus Fusarium (e.g. zearalenone (ZEN) and trichothecenes), Alternaria (like tenuazonic acid (TeA) and alternariol (AHO)) and Aspergillus (such as sterigmatocystin (STC)). Compared to those in GS, mouldy spots in MS presented significantly higher fungal counts and more diverse toxin profiles, in addition to superior levels of Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and total fungal metabolites. Generally, no correlation between mould counts and corresponding metabolites was detected, except for the counts of P. roqueforti, which were positively correlated with Penicillium spp. metabolites in mouldy MS. This study represents a first assessment of the fungal diversity in mouldy silage in Austria and highlights its potential role as a substantial contributor to contamination with complex mycotoxin mixtures in cattle diets.
Topics: Alternaria; Animals; Austria; Cattle; Food Contamination; Fusarium; Mycotoxins; Pilot Projects; Poaceae; Silage; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Zea mays
PubMed: 35347677
DOI: 10.1007/s12550-022-00453-3 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022In the current research, our work measured the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) synthesized from Larrea tridentata (Sessé and Moc. ex DC.) on the mycelial growth...
In the current research, our work measured the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) synthesized from Larrea tridentata (Sessé and Moc. ex DC.) on the mycelial growth and morphological changes in mycelia from different phytopathogenic and beneficial fungi. The assessment was conducted in Petri dishes, with Potato-Dextrose-Agar (PDA) as the culture medium; the AgNP concentrations used were 0, 60, 90, and 120 ppm. Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea showed the maximum growth inhibition at 60 ppm (70.76% and 51.75%). Likewise, Macrophomina spp. required 120 ppm of AgNP to achieve 65.43%, while Fusarium oxisporum was less susceptible, reaching an inhibition of 39.04% at the same concentration. The effect of silver nanoparticles was inconspicuous in Pestalotia spp., Colletotrichum gloesporoides, Phytophthora cinnamomi, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Trichoderma viridae fungi. The changes observed in the morphology of the fungi treated with nanoparticles were loss of definition, turgidity, and constriction sites that cause aggregations of mycelium, dispersion of spores, and reduced mycelium growth. AgNP could be a sustainable alternative to managing diseases caused by Alternaria solani and Macrophomina spp.
Topics: Silver; Metal Nanoparticles; Fungi; Alternaria; Fusarium; Ascomycota; Culture Media
PubMed: 36500239
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238147 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Sep 2023The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and the lack of new antimicrobial drugs is a major public health concern that needs urgent and innovative solutions....
Endophytic fungal species Nigrospora oryzae and Alternaria alternata exhibit antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative multi-drug resistant clinical bacterial isolates.
BACKGROUND
The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and the lack of new antimicrobial drugs is a major public health concern that needs urgent and innovative solutions. Endophytic fungi living in unique niches such as in endosymbiosis with plants are increasingly drawing attention as alternative sources of novel and chemically diverse compounds with unique mechanisms of action.
METHODS
In the present study, ten endophytic fungi isolated from the medicinal plant, Sclerocarya birrea were screened for bioactivity against a panel of indicator bacteria. Three bioactive endophytic fungi (strains P02PL2, P02MS1, and P02MS2A) were selected and identified through ITS-rDNA sequencing. The whole broth extracts of the three selected isolates were further screened against contemporary drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. This was followed by partial purification by solid phase extraction and GC-MS analysis of bioactive fractions.
RESULTS
The bioactive endophytic fungi were identified as Alternaria alternata species (strains P02PL2 and P02MS1) and Nigrospora oryzae (strain P02MS2A). The whole broth extracts from N. oryzae P02MS2A exhibited a MIC of one μg/mL and 16 μg/mL against gram-negative, MDR Pseudomonas 5625574 and gram-positive MRSA 25775 clinical isolates, respectively. After partial purification and GC-MS analysis of whole broth extract from A. alternaria PO2MS1, 2-fluorobenzoic acid heptadecyl was putatively identified as the active compound in fraction C of this extract. This compound was also putatively identified in fraction E of A. alternata P02PL2, fraction B of A. alternata P02MS1 and fraction B of N. oryzae P02MS2A, and interestingly, all these fractions retained activity against the two MDR clinical isolates.
CONCLUSION
The putative identification of 2-fluorobenzoic acid heptadecyl compound showing a broad-spectrum of activity, more especially against gram-negative MDR contemporary pathogens is highly encouraging in the initiative at developing novel drugs to combat multi-drug resistance.
Topics: Alternaria; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37715184
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04157-8 -
Journal of Microbiology and... Nov 2017Swainsonine (SW) is the principal toxic ingredient of locoweed plants that causes locoism characterized by a disorder of the nervous system. It has also received... (Review)
Review
Swainsonine (SW) is the principal toxic ingredient of locoweed plants that causes locoism characterized by a disorder of the nervous system. It has also received widespread attention in the medical field for its beneficial anticancer and antitumor activities. Endophytic fungi, sect. isolated from locoweeds, the plant pathogen , and the insect pathogen , produce swainsonine. Acquired SW by biofermentation has a certain foreground and research value. This paper mainly summarizes the local and foreign literature published thus far on the swainsonine biosynthesis pathway, and speculates on the possible regulatory enzymes involved in the synthesis pathway within these three fungi in order to provide a new reference for research on swainsonine biosynthesis by endophytic fungi.
Topics: Alternaria; Antineoplastic Agents; Ascomycota; Astragalus Plant; Biosynthetic Pathways; Endophytes; Fermentation; Metarhizium; Swainsonine
PubMed: 29092390
DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1709.09003 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021Based on the structure of the natural product cysteine, a series of thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids were designed and synthesized. All target compounds bearing...
Based on the structure of the natural product cysteine, a series of thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids were designed and synthesized. All target compounds bearing thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid were characterized by H-NMR, C-NMR, and HRMS techniques. The antiviral and antifungal activities of cysteine and its derivatives were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results of anti-TMV activity revealed that all compounds exhibited moderate to excellent activities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) at the concentration of 500 μg/mL. The compounds cysteine (), -, , , , , , and displayed higher anti-TMV activities than the commercial plant virucide ribavirin (inhibitory rate: 40, 40, and 38% at 500 μg/mL for inactivation, curative, and protection activity in vivo, respectively), especially compound (inhibitory rate: 51%, 47%, and 49% at 500 μg/mL for inactivation, curative, and protection activity in vivo, respectively) with excellent antiviral activity emerged as a new antiviral candidate. Antiviral mechanism research by TEM exhibited that compound could inhibit virus assembly by aggregated the 20S protein disk. Molecular docking results revealed that compound with higher antiviral activities than that of compound did show stronger interaction with TMV CP. Further fungicidal activity tests against 14 kinds of phytopathogenic fungi revealed that these cysteine derivatives displayed broad-spectrum fungicidal activities. Compound exhibited higher antifungal activities against and than commercial fungicides carbendazim and chlorothalonil, which emerged as a new candidate for fungicidal research.
Topics: Alternaria; Antifungal Agents; Antiviral Agents; Ascomycota; Cysteine; Drug Discovery; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Structure; Tobacco Mosaic Virus
PubMed: 33450940
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26020383 -
Archives of Toxicology Jun 2024Alternaria species are mycotoxin-producing fungi known to infect fresh produce and to cause their spoilage. Humans get exposed to fungal secondary metabolites known as... (Review)
Review
Alternaria species are mycotoxin-producing fungi known to infect fresh produce and to cause their spoilage. Humans get exposed to fungal secondary metabolites known as mycotoxin via the ingestion of contaminated food. Alternariol (AOH) (CHO) is an isocoumarins produced by different species of Alternaria including Alternaria alternata. AOH is often found in grain, fruits and fruits-based food products with high levels in legumes, nuts, and tomatoes. AOH was first discovered in 1953, and it is nowadays linked to esophagus cancer and endocrine disruption due to its similarity to estrogen. Although considered as an emerging mycotoxin with no regulated levels in food, AOH occurs in highly consumed dietary products and has been detected in various masked forms, which adds to its occurrence. Therefore, this comprehensive review was developed to give an overview on recent literature in the field of AOH. The current study summarizes published data on occurrence levels of AOH in different food products in the last ten years and evaluates those levels in comparison to recommended levels by the regulating entities. Such surveillance facilitates the work of health risk assessors and highlights commodities that are most in need of AOH levels regulation. In addition, the effects of AOH on cells and animal models were summarized in two tables; data include the last two-year literature studies. The review addresses also the main characteristics of AOH and the possible human exposure routes, the populations at risk, and the effect of anthropogenic activities on the widespread of the mycotoxin. The commonly used detection and control methods described in the latest literature are also discussed to guide future researchers to focus on mitigating mycotoxins contamination in the food industry. This review aims mainly to serve as a guideline on AOH for mycotoxin regulation developers and health risk assessors.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Alternaria; Food Contamination; Lactones; Mycotoxins; Risk Assessment; Food Microbiology
PubMed: 38662238
DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03743-0 -
International Journal of Infectious... Sep 2023A woman presented with purulent infiltrating plaques on her hands and arms after a 7-year history of nephrotic syndrome. She was ultimately diagnosed with subcutaneous...
A woman presented with purulent infiltrating plaques on her hands and arms after a 7-year history of nephrotic syndrome. She was ultimately diagnosed with subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, which is caused by Alternaria section Alternaria. The lesions completely resolved after 2 months of antifungal treatment. Interestingly, spores (round-shaped cells) and hyphae were observed in the biopsy and pus specimens, respectively. This case report highlights that distinguishing subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis from chromoblastomycosis may be difficult if the diagnosis is solely based on pathological findings. It also emphasizes that the parasitic forms of the dematiaceous fungi in immunosuppressed hosts may vary with the site and environment.
Topics: Humans; Female; Phaeohyphomycosis; Alternaria; Antifungal Agents; Chromoblastomycosis; Immunocompromised Host
PubMed: 37268101
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.05.066