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Scientific Reports Sep 2019Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites produced by Aspergillus sp. with carcinogenic properties that are a common food contaminant of many crops including maize and...
Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites produced by Aspergillus sp. with carcinogenic properties that are a common food contaminant of many crops including maize and peanuts. In Timor-Leste malnutrition and children's stunting are frequent and maize and peanuts are staple foods. This study aimed to provide information on aflatoxin exposure nationally. The study measured levels of aflatoxin in locally-produced maize and peanuts (296 samples) and of aflatoxin-albumin conjugate in blood samples of women and young children (514 and 620 respectively) across all municipalities. The average concentration of aflatoxin in the grain samples was low with most maize (88%) and peanut (92%) samples - lower than European Commission tolerated aflatoxin level. Although aflatoxin-albumin conjugate was detected in more than 80% of blood samples, the average concentration in children and adults of 0.64 and 0.98 pg mg alb, respectively, is much lower than in other similar rural-based countries. Although low in concentration, blood aflatoxin levels and aflatoxin contamination levels in maize across municipalities were correlated significantly for mothers (R = 37%, n = 495) but not for children (R = 10%). It is unlikely that the consumption of aflatoxin contaminated grain is a causative factor in the current level of malnutrition and stunting affecting Timor-Leste children.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aflatoxins; Arachis; Aspergillus; Child, Preschool; Female; Food Contamination; Geography; Growth Disorders; Humans; Infant; Male; Malnutrition; Middle Aged; Rural Population; Timor-Leste; Young Adult; Zea mays
PubMed: 31511633
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49584-1 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021Liver disease is a global health issue, resulting in about two million deaths per year. It encompasses a wide spectrum of varied or unknown etiologies, ranging from... (Review)
Review
Liver disease is a global health issue, resulting in about two million deaths per year. It encompasses a wide spectrum of varied or unknown etiologies, ranging from lifestyle choices to pre-existing comorbidities. In recent decades, exposure to environmental toxins and subsequent liver health outcomes have captured public interest, due to the extensive application of pesticides, consumption of aflatoxin contaminated foodstuff, and cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms in endemic regions of liver disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious and debilitating condition of the liver, characterized by abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Established risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma include alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and viral infections of hepatitis B and C. However, mounting evidence suggests that environmental toxins may represent an important contributing factor in hepatocellular carcinoma development. This mini-review synthesizes epidemiological investigations, providing evidence for environmental toxins as one potential risk factor for liver disease.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Hepatitis B; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34249849
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.683719 -
Toxins Mar 2023The conversion of aflatoxin B1 in feed consumed by cows into aflatoxin M1 in their milk poses a challenge to food safety, with milk being a popular staple food and... (Review)
Review
The conversion of aflatoxin B1 in feed consumed by cows into aflatoxin M1 in their milk poses a challenge to food safety, with milk being a popular staple food and because of the harmful effects of these compounds. This study aimed at reviewing scientific information about the extent of carry-over of AFB1 from feed to milk. A range of studies reported about correlations of carry-over with different factors, particularly with milk yield and AFB1 intake. The extent of carry-over considerably varies, being 1-2% on average, which may be as high as 6% in the case of increased milk production. Specific factors influencing transfer rates, including milk yield, somatic cell counts, aflatoxin B1 intake, source of contamination, seasonal effects, particle size of feed, and the effects of certain interventions, namely vaccination and the use of adsorbents, are identified as the most important and are discussed in this review. The different mathematical formulas describing carry-over and instances of their application are reviewed as well. These carry-over equations may lead to largely different results, and no single carry-over equation can be suggested as the best one. While the exact quantification of carry-over is difficult as the process depends on many factors, including individual variabilities between animals, the intake of aflatoxin B1 and milk yield seem to be the most important factors influencing the excreted amount of aflatoxin M1 and the rate of carry-over.
Topics: Female; Animals; Cattle; Milk; Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxin M1; Animal Feed; Food Contamination
PubMed: 36977087
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030195 -
Toxins May 2023Aflatoxins are immunosuppressive and carcinogenic secondary metabolites, produced by the filamentous ascomycete , that are hazardous to animal and human health. In this...
Aflatoxins are immunosuppressive and carcinogenic secondary metabolites, produced by the filamentous ascomycete , that are hazardous to animal and human health. In this study, we show that multiplexed host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) of genes essential for fungal sporulation and aflatoxin production (, , , and confers enhanced resistance to infection and aflatoxin contamination in groundnut (<20 ppb). Comparative proteomic analysis of contrasting groundnut genotypes (WT and near-isogenic HIGS lines) supported a better understanding of the molecular processes underlying the induced resistance and identified several groundnut metabolites that might play a significant role in resistance to infection and aflatoxin contamination. Fungal differentiation and pathogenicity proteins, including calmodulin, transcriptional activator-HacA, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase 2, VeA, VelC, and several aflatoxin pathway biosynthetic enzymes, were downregulated in infecting the HIGS lines. Additionally, in the resistant HIGS lines, a number of host resistance proteins associated with fatty acid metabolism were strongly induced, including phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase, lysophosphatidic acyltransferase-5, palmitoyl-monogalactosyldiacylglycerol Δ-7 desaturase, ceramide kinase-related protein, sphingolipid Δ-8 desaturase, and phospholipase-D. Combined, this knowledge can be used for groundnut pre-breeding and breeding programs to provide a safe and secure food supply.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Aspergillus flavus; Aflatoxins; Proteomics; Arachis; Plant Breeding; Aspergillosis; Gene Silencing
PubMed: 37235354
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15050319 -
Toxins Aug 2021Analysis of body fluids and tissues of aflatoxin exposed individuals for the presence of aflatoxins and aflatoxin metabolites has emerged as a reliable indicator of...
Analysis of body fluids and tissues of aflatoxin exposed individuals for the presence of aflatoxins and aflatoxin metabolites has emerged as a reliable indicator of exposure and metabolism of aflatoxins. However, current aflatoxin biomarkers are not appropriate for investigating the long-term effects of aflatoxin exposure. In this explorative study, we investigated the analysis of hair as a complementary or alternative matrix for the assessment of biomarkers of long-term aflatoxin exposure. Three groups of guinea pigs were orally dosed with 5 ugkgbw, 50 ugkgbw, and 100 ugkgbw of AFB1. Urine and hair samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 30, 60, and 90 and analysed for AFB1 and AFM1 using UHPLC-MS/MS. AFB1 and AFM1 were detected in 75% and 13.6%, respectively, of the day 1 to day 7 urine samples. AFB1 was detected in hair samples collected from day 3 up to day 60. This is the first report to confirm the deposition of AFB1 in the hair of experimental animals. These findings indicate that hair analysis has the potential to provide an accurate long-term historical record of aflatoxin exposure with potentially important implications for the field of aflatoxin biomarkers.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Animals; Biomarkers; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Environmental Monitoring; Guinea Pigs; Hair; Models, Animal; South Africa; Time Factors
PubMed: 34437441
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13080570 -
PeerJ 2022Fungal contamination of animal feed can severely affect the health of farm animals, and result in considerable economic losses. Certain filamentous fungi or molds... (Review)
Review
Fungal contamination of animal feed can severely affect the health of farm animals, and result in considerable economic losses. Certain filamentous fungi or molds produce toxic secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins, of which aflatoxins (AFTs) are considered the most critical dietary risk factor for both humans and animals. AFTs are ubiquitous in the environment, soil, and food crops, and aflatoxin B(AFB) has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most potent natural group 1A carcinogen. We reviewed the literature on the toxic effects of AFB in humans and animals along with its toxicokinetic properties. The damage induced by AFB in cells and tissues is mainly achieved through cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell proliferation, and the induction of apoptosis, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. In addition, numerous coding genes and non-coding RNAs have been identified that regulate AFB toxicity. This review is a summary of the current research on the complexity of AFB toxicity, and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms as well as the phenotypic characteristics.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aflatoxin B1; Mycotoxins; Aflatoxins; Fungi; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 35945939
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13850 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2021According to the World Health Organization, the contamination of crops with aflatoxins poses a significant economic burden, estimated to affect 25% of global food crops.... (Review)
Review
According to the World Health Organization, the contamination of crops with aflatoxins poses a significant economic burden, estimated to affect 25% of global food crops. In the event that the contaminated food is processed, aflatoxins enter the general food supply and can cause serious diseases. Aflatoxins are distributed unevenly in food or feedstock, making eradicating them both a scientific and a technological challenge. Cooking, freezing, or pressurizing have little effect on aflatoxins. While chemical methods degrade toxins on the surface of contaminated food, the destruction inside entails a slow process. Physical techniques, such as irradiation with ultraviolet photons, pulses of extensive white radiation, and gaseous plasma, are promising; yet, the exact mechanisms concerning how these techniques degrade aflatoxins require further study. Correlations between the efficiency of such degradation and the processing parameters used by various authors are presented in this review. The lack of appropriate guidance while interpreting the observed results is a huge scientific challenge.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Crops, Agricultural; Decontamination; Food Contamination; Humans; Plasma Gases
PubMed: 34948120
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413322 -
Journal of Food Protection Jan 2021Almonds rejected as inedible are often used for production of almond oil. However, low-quality almonds are frequently contaminated with aflatoxins, and little is known...
ABSTRACT
Almonds rejected as inedible are often used for production of almond oil. However, low-quality almonds are frequently contaminated with aflatoxins, and little is known regarding transfer of aflatoxins to almond oil during processing. In this study, oil was produced from reject almonds by hexane extraction. Of 19 almond samples that were naturally contaminated with aflatoxins, 17 oil samples contained measurable amounts of aflatoxins, and aflatoxin content of contaminated oil was correlated with aflatoxin content of the nuts. However, oil aflatoxin levels were not correlated with the oxidation level of the oil as measured by percent free fatty acids and peroxide value. Adsorbents used in oil refining were tested for their ability to remove aflatoxins from contaminated oil. Fuller's earth and bentonite were the most effective, removing 96 and 86% of total aflatoxins from contaminated oil samples, respectively. Treatment with diatomaceous earth, in contrast, had no effect on aflatoxin levels in oil. These results show that oil refining steps using mineral clay adsorbents may also function to remove aflatoxins from contaminated oil.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Nuts; Plant Oils; Prunus dulcis
PubMed: 32882027
DOI: 10.4315/JFP-20-229 -
Genes Mar 2023Peanut is susceptible to infection, and the consequent aflatoxin contamination has been recognized as an important risk factor affecting food safety and industry...
Peanut is susceptible to infection, and the consequent aflatoxin contamination has been recognized as an important risk factor affecting food safety and industry development. Planting peanut varieties with resistance to aflatoxin contamination is regarded as an ideal approach to decrease the risk in food safety, but most of the available resistant varieties have not been extensively used in production because of their low yield potential mostly due to possessing small pods and seeds. Hence, it is highly necessary to integrate resistance to aflatoxin and large seed weight. In this study, an RIL population derived from a cross between Zhonghua 16 with high yield and J 11 with resistance to infection of and aflatoxin production, was used to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL) for aflatoxin production (AP) resistance and hundred-seed weight (HSW). From combined analysis using a high-density genetic linkage map constructed, 11 QTLs for AP resistance with 4.61-11.42% phenotypic variation explanation (PVE) and six QTLs for HSW with 3.20-28.48% PVE were identified, including three major QTLs for AP resistance (, and ) and three for HSW (, and ). In addition, , , , and were detected in multiple environments. The aflatoxin contents under artificial inoculation were decreased by 34.77-47.67% in those segregated lines harboring , and , while the HSWs were increased by 47.56-49.46 g in other lines harboring , and . Conditional QTL mapping indicated that HSW and percent seed infection index (PSII) had no significant influence on aflatoxin content. Interestingly, the QT 1059 simultaneously harboring alleles of aflatoxin content including and , alleles of PSII including , , and and alleles of HSW including , , had better resistance to infection and to toxin production and higher yield potential compared with the two parents of the RIL. The above identified major loci for AP resistance and HWS would be helpful for marker-assisted selection in peanut breeding.
Topics: Quantitative Trait Loci; Aflatoxins; Arachis; Plant Breeding; Chromosome Mapping
PubMed: 36980897
DOI: 10.3390/genes14030625 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2020There are presently more than 18 known aflatoxins most of which have been insufficiently studied for their incidence, health-risk, and mechanisms of toxicity to allow... (Review)
Review
There are presently more than 18 known aflatoxins most of which have been insufficiently studied for their incidence, health-risk, and mechanisms of toxicity to allow effective intervention and control means that would significantly and sustainably reduce their incidence and adverse effects on health and economy. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been by far the most studied; yet, many aspects of the range and mechanisms of the diseases it causes remain to be elucidated. Its mutagenicity, tumorigenicity, and carcinogenicity-which are the best known-still suffer from limitations regarding the relative contribution of the oxidative stress and the reactive epoxide derivative (Aflatoxin-exo 8,9-epoxide) in the induction of the diseases, as well as its metabolic and synthesis pathways. Additionally, despite the well-established additive effects for carcinogenicity between AFB1 and other risk factors, e.g., hepatitis viruses B and C, and the hepatotoxic algal microcystins, the mechanisms of this synergy remain unclear. This study reviews the most recent advances in the field of the mechanisms of toxicity of aflatoxins and the adverse health effects that they cause in humans and animals.
Topics: Aflatoxins; Animals; Chronic Disease; Humans; Immune System; Mutagens; Neoplasms; Teratogens
PubMed: 31936320
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020423