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Toxicology Research Jun 2024Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) food contamination is a global health hazard that has detrimental effects on both human and animal health. The objective of the current study is to...
BACKGROUND
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) food contamination is a global health hazard that has detrimental effects on both human and animal health. The objective of the current study is to assess the protective impact of carnosic acid against AFB1-induced toxicities in the liver, kidneys, and heart.
METHODS
Forty male Wistar Albino rats (weighting 180 ~ 200 g) were allocated into 5 groups (8 rats each); the 1 group received saline as served as a control, the 2 group received carnosic acid (CA100) at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day by gavage for 14 days, the 3 group received AFB1 at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw, orally twice on days 12 and 14, the 4 group (AFB1-CA50) received AFB1 as in the 3 group and CA at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/day, and the 5 group (AFB1-CA100) received AFB1 as in the 3 group and CA as in the 2 group.
RESULTS
CA significantly decreased the liver enzymes (ALT, AST. ALP), renal function products (LDH, BUN, creatinine), and cardiac enzymes (CK and CK-MB) to control levels after the high increment by AFB1 exposure. Moreover, CA significantly decreased the oxidative stress (MDA, NO, 8-OHdG) and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD) after severe disruption of oxidant/antioxidant balance by AFB1 exposure. Interestingly, CA significantly decreased the proinflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) to the control levels after severe inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
Conclusively, CA had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-DNA damage effects against hepatic, renal, and cardiac AFB1-induced toxicities.
PubMed: 38939725
DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae083 -
Food Chemistry May 2024This study investigated the degradation of aflatoxin B (AFB) in food by using dual-frequency ultrasound (DFUS) and the effects of sonochemical oxidation on the efficacy....
This study investigated the degradation of aflatoxin B (AFB) in food by using dual-frequency ultrasound (DFUS) and the effects of sonochemical oxidation on the efficacy. It was found that the degradation of AFB by bath ultrasound (BU), probe ultrasound (PU), and DFUS were all consistent with first-order kinetics. The use of DFUS significantly increased the AFB degradation to 91.3%, and compared with BU and PU, it increased by about 177.0% and 61.5% after 30 min treatment. DFUS could generate a synergistic effect to accelerate the generation of free radicals, which promoted sonochemical oxidation to degrade AFB. It could be speculated that hydroxyl radical (·OH) probably acted a dominant part in the AFB degradation by DFUS, and the hydrogen atoms (·H) might also are contributed. These results indicated that DFUS was an effective method of AFB degradation.
PubMed: 38936135
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139708 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024Paper chip as a representative microfluidic device has been mushroomed for rapid identification of contaminants in agro-food. However, the sensitivity and accuracy have...
Paper chip as a representative microfluidic device has been mushroomed for rapid identification of contaminants in agro-food. However, the sensitivity and accuracy have still been challenged by inevitable background noise or interference in food matrix. Herein, we designed and fabricated a dual-mode paper chip (DPC) by assembling a patterned paper electrode with a platinum nanoparticles-treated colorimetric region through a flow channel. Dual-mode outputs were guided by an aptamer-gated UiO-66-NH metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). UiO-66-NH loaded with 3, 3', 5, 5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was controlled by a switch comprised of CdS quantum dots-aptamer. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, a kind of carcinogenic mycotoxin) target came and induced TMB release, triggering colorimetric and ECL signals on DPC, ultra-high sensitivity with a detection limit of 7.8 fg/mL was realized. The practicability of the DPC was also confirmed by spiking AFB1 in real corn samples. This portable paper-based device provides an ideal rapid detection platform tailored for diverse food contaminants analysis.
PubMed: 38936131
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140182 -
Mikrochimica Acta Jun 2024Proteins from different species have been docked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and identified 3 proteins (prostaglandin-E(2)9-reductase from Oryctolagus uniculus,...
Proteins from different species have been docked with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and identified 3 proteins (prostaglandin-E(2)9-reductase from Oryctolagus uniculus, proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Pim-1 and human immunoglobulin G (hIgG)) as potential candidates to develop an electrochemical sensor. Fluorescence spectroscopy experiments have confirmed the interaction of hIgG with AFB1 with an affinity constant of 4.6 × 10 M. As a proof-of-concept, hIgG was immobilized on carbon nanocomposite (carbon nanotube-nanofiber, CNT-F)-coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). FT-IR spectra, HR-TEM and BCA assay have confirmed successful immobilization of hIgG on the electrode (hIgG@CNT-F/GCE). The preparation of this protein electrochemical sensor requires only 1 h 36 min, which is fast as compared with preparing an electro immunosensor. hIgG@CNT-F/GCE has displayed an excellent AFB1 limit of detection (0.1 ng/mL), commendable selectivity in the presence of two other mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and patulin) and the detection of AFB1 in spiked peanuts and corn samples.
Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Humans; Electrochemical Techniques; Nanotubes, Carbon; Immunoglobulin G; Limit of Detection; Proto-Oncogene Mas; Electrodes; Biosensing Techniques; Molecular Docking Simulation; Arachis
PubMed: 38935329
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06495-x -
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis Jun 2024Aflatoxin B, a major global food safety concern, is produced by toxigenic fungi during crop growing, drying, and storage, and shows increasing annual prevalence. This...
Aflatoxin B, a major global food safety concern, is produced by toxigenic fungi during crop growing, drying, and storage, and shows increasing annual prevalence. This study aimed to detect aflatoxin B in chili samples using ATR-FTIR coupled with machine learning algorithms. We found that 83.6% of the chili powder samples were contaminated with Aspergillus and Penicillium species, with aflatoxin B levels ranging from 7.63 to 44.32 μg/kg. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in the fingerprint region (1800-400 cm) showed peak intensity variation in the bands at 1587, 1393, and 1038 cm, which are mostly related to aflatoxin B structure. The PCA plots from samples with different trace amounts of aflatoxin B could not be separated. Vibrational spectroscopy combined with machine learning was applied to address this issue. The logistic regression model had the best F1 score with the highest %accuracy (73%), %sensitivity (73%), and %specificity (71%), followed by random forest and support vector machine models. Although the logistic regression model contributed significant findings, this study represents a laboratory research project. Because of the peculiarities of the ATR-FTIR spectral measurements, the spectra measured for several batches may differ, necessitating running the model on multiple spectral ranges and using increased sample sizes in subsequent applications. This proposed method has the potential to provide rapid and accurate results and may be valuable in future applications regarding toxin detection in foods when simple onsite testing is required.
Topics: Capsicum; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Aflatoxin B1; Food Contamination; Aspergillus; Powders; Penicillium
PubMed: 38934688
DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3497 -
Small (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Jun 2024Fluorophores with color-shifting characteristics have attracted enormous research interest in the quantitative application of RNA sensors. It reports here a simple...
Fluorophores with color-shifting characteristics have attracted enormous research interest in the quantitative application of RNA sensors. It reports here a simple synthesis, luminescent properties, and co-transcription ability of de-conjugated triphenylmethane leucomalachite green (LMG). This novel clusteroluminescence fluorophore is rapidly synthesized from malachite green (MG) in reductive transcription system containing dithiothreitol, emitting fluorescence in the UV region through space conjugation. The co-transcribed MG RNA aptamer (MGA) bound to the ligand, resulting in red fluorescence from the through-bond conjugation. Given the equilibrated color-shifting fluorophores, they are rationally employed in a 3WJ-based rolling circle transcription switch, with the target-aptamer acting as an activator to achieve steric allosterism. This one-pot system allows the target to compete continuously for allosteric sites, and the activated transcription switches continue to amplify MGA forward, achieving accurate Aflatoxin 1 quantification at the picomolar level in 1 h. Due to the programmability of this RNA sensor, the design method of target-competitive aptamers is standardized, making it universally applicable.
PubMed: 38932671
DOI: 10.1002/smll.202401437 -
Micromachines Jun 2024The detection of the amount of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is crucial for food safety. Here, we utilize a fiber optic (FO) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)...
The detection of the amount of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is crucial for food safety. Here, we utilize a fiber optic (FO) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor by constructing gold nanoparticle (AuNP) multimers, in which the nanogaps amplified the LSPR signal by the hot spot effect, and achieved a highly sensitive detection of f AFM1. Through the optimization of parameter conditions for the fabrication of the sensor and detection system, a high performance result from the FO LSPR biosensor was obtained, and the method for AFM1 detection was established, with a wide detection range of 0.05-100 ng/mL and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.04 ng/mL, and it has been successfully validated with the actual sample milk. Therefore, it is a good strategy to fabricate highly sensitive FO LSPR sensors for detecting AFM1 by constructing AuNP multimers, and this approach is suitable for developing other biosensors.
PubMed: 38930748
DOI: 10.3390/mi15060779 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Filamentous fungi exhibit remarkable adaptability to diverse substrates and can synthesize a plethora of secondary metabolites. These metabolites, produced in response... (Review)
Review
Filamentous fungi exhibit remarkable adaptability to diverse substrates and can synthesize a plethora of secondary metabolites. These metabolites, produced in response to environmental stimuli, not only confer selective advantages but also encompass potentially deleterious mycotoxins. Mycotoxins, exemplified by those originating from , , , and species, represent challenging hazards to both human and animal health, thus warranting stringent regulatory control. Despite regulatory frameworks, mycotoxin contamination remains a pressing global challenge, particularly within cereal-based matrices and their derived by-products, integral components of animal diets. Strategies aimed at mitigating mycotoxin contamination encompass multifaceted approaches, including biological control modalities, detoxification procedures, and innovative interventions like essential oils. However, hurdles persist, underscoring the imperative for innovative interventions. This review elucidated the prevalence, health ramifications, regulatory paradigms, and evolving preventive strategies about two prominent mycotoxins, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Furthermore, it explored the emergence of new fungal species, and biocontrol methods using lactic acid bacteria and essential mustard oil, emphasizing their efficacy in mitigating fungal spoilage and mycotoxin production. Through an integrative examination of these facets, this review endeavored to furnish a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges posed by mycotoxin contamination and the emergent strategies poised to ameliorate its impact on food and feed safety.
PubMed: 38928866
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121920 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Mycotoxins are toxic molecules produced by multiple fungal species, including and . Fungal infection of crops can result in mycotoxins entering the animal and human...
Mycotoxins are toxic molecules produced by multiple fungal species, including and . Fungal infection of crops can result in mycotoxins entering the animal and human food supply. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and other immunological assays have been developed to detect mycotoxins in foods. To calibrate the response of those methods, reference materials with known amounts of homogeneously dispersed mycotoxins are often utilized, where the mycotoxin concentrations have been determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with absorbance or fluorescence detection methods, or high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection methods. Therefore, it is important that the analytical methods provide accurate and precise quantitation of mycotoxins. The reference materials must also contain homogeneously dispersed known quantities of mycotoxin. To evaluate the accuracy and precision of mycotoxin reference materials and the analytical methods, quantitative results from multiple laboratories were completed each year for several years on ground corn check samples containing known levels of mycotoxins. Results for the quantitation of aflatoxin-containing corn reference samples are presented in this article.
PubMed: 38928860
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121918 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In recent years, there has been an intensification of weather variability worldwide as a result of climate change. Some regions have been affected by drought, while...
In recent years, there has been an intensification of weather variability worldwide as a result of climate change. Some regions have been affected by drought, while others have experienced more intense rainfall. The incidence and severity of moldy grain and mycotoxin contamination during the growing and harvesting seasons have increased as a result of these weather conditions. Additionally, torrential rains and wet conditions may cause delays in grain drying, leading to mold growth in the field. In July 2023, a wheat field in Lecco (Lombardy, Italy) was affected by torrential rains that led to the development of the fungi. In the field, dark sclerotia were identified on some ears. Wheat ears, kernels, and sclerotia were collected and analyzed by LC-MS/MS at IZSLER, Food Chemical Department, in Bologna. The wheat ears, kernels, and sclerotia were analyzed for 12 ergot alkaloids (EAs) according to (EU) Regulation 2023/915 (ergocornine/ergocorninine; ergocristine/ergocristinine; ergocryptine/ergocryptinine; ergometrine/ergometrinine; ergosine/ergosinine; ergotamine/ergotaminine), after QuEChERS (Z-Sep/C18) purification. The analyzed sclerotia showed significant differences in total alkaloid content that vary between 0.01 and 0.5% (/), according to the results of the 2017 EFSA scientific report. EAs detected in sclerotia were up to 4951 mg/kg, in wheat ears up to 33 mg/kg, and in kernels were 1 mg/kg. Additional mycotoxins, including ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins, T2-HT2 toxins, and aflatoxins, were investigated in wheat kernels after purification with immunoaffinity columns (IAC). The analysis revealed the presence of deoxynivalenol in wheat kernels at a concentration of 2251 µg/kg. It is expected that climate change will increase the frequency of extreme weather events. In order to mitigate the potential risks associated with mycotoxin-producing fungi and to ensure the protection of human health, it is suggested that official controls be implemented in the field.
PubMed: 38928849
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121907