Search Results (1,819)

Research on the cataloging of microstructures and chemical compound localization in peanut hulls in relation to fungal tolerance remains limited. The hull (pericarp) is the first physical interface with the soil environment and may contribute to defense against fungal invasion. Here, hull microstructure and histochemical localization of alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, lignin, starch, and total proteins were characterized across reproductive developmental stages R3–R6 in three commercially grown cultivars (Georgia-06G, Georgia-12Y, and Georgia-18RU). Stained sections were examined by light and fluorescence microscopy, and images were quantified in Fiji-ImageJ as stained area percentage. Among the compounds studied, the highest area percentages were observed at later stages (R5 and R6). Alkaloid-like compounds, cellulose, and starch were higher at the R5 stages of G-18 (9.61 ± 0.75), G-12Y (22.96 ± 5.84), and G-06 (6.31 ± 1.13) respectively, while lignin and total proteins were highest at the R6 stage of G-18 (respectively, 14.49 ± 1.43 and 13.90 ± 1.45). The lowest histochemical presence for most metabolites occurred in the early stages (R3–R4). This indicates that hull maturation is accompanied by increased physical (sclerenchyma and lignified cells) and biochemical (alkaloid-like compounds, proteins) features consistent with protective roles. As the analysis was based on representative sections and regions of interest (ROI)-level quantification, the results are intended to guide future studies on hull-mediated defense and breeding for Aspergillus tolerance. Full article

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a Group 1 human carcinogen that poses a public health risk through milk contamination. This study investigated AFM1 contamination in pasteurized and ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk from south–central and northwest China, and assessed the associated health risks for consumers based on age, sex, and milk consumption scenarios. In total, 902 milk samples (493 pasteurized, 409 UHT) were collected during the summer and winter seasons of 2023–2024. AFM1 levels were determined using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. AFM1 was detected in 75.39% of samples (mean concentration, 12.35 ± 10.27 ng/L; maximum, 75.57 ng/L). While 1.55% of samples exceeded the EU maximum limit (50 ng/L), all complied with the Chinese limit (500 ng/L). Contamination was significantly higher in south–central China than northwest China, higher in winter than summer, and higher in pasteurized milk than UHT milk (p < 0.05). Preschool children in south–central China consuming 400 mL/day of milk are the group with the highest AFM11 exposure risk. And the margin of exposure and population risk of liver cancer suggested little carcinogenic risk. Therefore, targeted monitoring strategies for AFM1 in milk are recommended, along with dietary guidance for high-risk groups, especially vulnerable young children, to mitigate exposure. Full article

This study explores the use of endophytic fungi for the biocontrol of harmful aflatoxins (AFTs) in maize (Zea mays L.). The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fungal pathogens and biocontrol agents on the corn seed germination and growth of seedlings under controlled conditions. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions in a growth chamber and in a greenhouse to assess the influence of environmental factors on seed performance and treatment efficacy. The growth chamber provided uniform conditions for physiological assessment while the greenhouses represented more realistic field conditions. Corn kernels were sown in sterile pots inside the growth chamber at standard conditions or in the greenhouse at controlled conditions and four treatment groups were established: untreated control seeds, seeds treated with non-AFT-producing (non-aflatoxigenic) strains (Trichoderma harzianum, T. asperellum and Aspergillus niger), seeds inoculated with AFT-producing (aflatoxigenic) strains (A. flavus and A. parasiticus), and seeds co-inoculated with both aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains (A. flavus and A. parasiticus with T. harzianum, T. asperellum or A. niger). High-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to detect and analyze the presence of AFTs. Co-culturing of A. flavus with T. harzianum resulted in a significant decrease in AFT levels, achieving a relative reduction of 99.3% compared to aflatoxigenic treatments alone. Among the isolates tested, T. harzianum and T. asperellum were the most effective at lowering AFT production of the aflatoxigenic strains, reducing the 5120 ± 560 µg/kg AFT level produced by A. flavus alone to 50.1 ± 1.10 and 63.1 ± 3.1 µg/kg, respectively. A. flavus negatively affected germination and early growth, whereas T. harzianum significantly enhanced both parameters. This study demonstrates that non-aflatoxigenic Trichoderma isolates can effectively mitigate AFT contamination and improve seedling growth, highlighting their potential as effective. sustainable, and locally adopted biocontrol agents for Pakistan’s chronic AFT problem under diverse environmental conditions—an area with minimal prior research and high national relevance. Full article

Aflatoxins (AFs) are among the most hazardous mycotoxins in food, yet their occurrence in legume-based products remains poorly investigated, and official standardized analytical methods validated by international regulatory bodies are still limited for these specific matrices. This study evaluates the effectiveness of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) coupled with HPLC-FLD for the determination of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 in pea flour (Pisum sativum), with a particular focus on assessing the necessity of a solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup step. Two analytical workflows were compared: direct MAE and MAE followed by SPE purification. The optimized MAE conditions (60 °C, 5 min, acidified acetonitrile) provided good repeatability (RSD < 8.7%) and acceptable recoveries (70–73% at 10 µg/kg), while the inclusion of SPE improved recoveries up to 95–103% but did not yield a noteworthy reduction in matrix effects for AFB1 and AFG1. Matrix-induced signal suppression (up to −24.6%) was observed in both approaches, highlighting the necessity of matrix-matched calibration. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.09 to 0.25 µg/kg (MAE) and from 0.12 to 0.43 µg/kg (MAE + SPE), with no statistically significant differences between the two protocols. Application to commercial pea flours (n = 7) revealed no quantifiable contamination, with only one sample showing AFB1 below the LOQ. Overall, the results demonstrate that under the tested conditions, the direct MAE approach, combined with trifluoroacetic acid derivatization and HPLC-FLD analysis, provides a reliable and efficient alternative to conventional cleanup-based methods for routine AF analysis in pea flour. The application to a small batch of commercial samples confirms the method’s fitness-for-purpose as a preliminary screening tool. Full article

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi, which extensively contaminate agricultural products such as grains and nuts. Common mycotoxins, including aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and deoxynivalenol, can induce liver cancer, kidney damage, neural tube defects, and immune suppression, necessitating highly sensitive detection methods to ensure food safety. Conventional techniques are limited by complex procedures and insufficient sensitivity. Electrochemiluminescence (ECL), owing to its high sensitivity, low background signal, and rapid response, has emerged as a promising strategy for mycotoxin analysis. In this context, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their high surface area and tunable structures, have been widely employed in ECL sensors to improve sensing performance. This review summarizes the construction strategies of MOF-based ECL sensors, the diverse functional roles of MOFs in ECL sensing, the associated sensing mechanisms, and the applications of these sensors for the detection of mycotoxins in food. Current challenges, including material stability, sensor reproducibility, and practical applicability, are discussed, and future directions are outlined. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of stable MOF materials, their integration into portable and intelligent ECL sensing platforms, and the establishment of standardized and scalable production methods to enable practical food safety monitoring. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly potent Group 1 human carcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), poses a significant contamination risk to corn silage, a threat that is further intensified by rising global temperatures. This study aimed to characterize the combined effects of temperature and co-inoculation with the lactic acid bacterium Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) on AFB1 production and the expression of key biosynthetic genes in A. flavus colonizing corn silage. Corn silage was incubated at 20 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C with and without L. fermentum. Using qRT-PCR and HPLC, we found that elevated temperatures, particularly 37 °C, strongly induced the expression of the aflatoxin biosynthetic cluster, including the regulatory gene aflR and structural genes such as omtA and ordA. Co-inoculation with L. fermentum consistently reduced in the final AFB1 concentration by approximately 50–60% at all three temperatures. Molecular analysis revealed that this reduction was associated with transcriptional repression at 30 °C and 37 °C. L. fermentum consistently and markedly down-regulated the expression of aflR and all structural genes. A particularly pronounced suppression was observed for the late-pathway gene ordA at 30 °C. These findings provide molecular evidence supporting the incorporation of selected L. fermentum strains into silage inoculant formulations to mitigate the AFB1 risk under high-temperature conditions. Full article

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a common contaminant in broiler feed, impairs hepatic function and poses a significant threat to the poultry industry by disrupting cellular autophagy. Ferulic acid (FA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy-modulating properties. However, whether FA alleviates AFB1-induced autophagy impairment in broiler liver remains unclear. In this study, an AFB1-induced liver injury model was established. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of AFB1 and FA on autophagy-related processes. The results showed that AFB1 exposure was associated with reduced expression of autophagy-related markers, including ULK1, ATG14, ATG5, and LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, suggesting alterations in autophagy-related processes associated with autophagosome formation and maturation. FA supplementation partially reversed these changes and alleviated ultrastructural liver damage induced by AFB1. Transcriptomic and western blot analyses further demonstrated that AFB1 exposure increased p53 expression, dysregulated the BRAF/ERK1/ERK2/mTOR signaling pathway, increased p70S6K expression, and decreased 4E-BP1 expression. FA supplementation alleviated these changes. These results showed that FA may alleviate AFB1-induced alterations in autophagy-related biomarkers in broiler liver, accompanied by changes in the BRAF/ERK1/ERK2/mTOR signaling pathway, suppression of p70S6K expression, and restoration of 4E-BP1 expression, which may contribute to its protective effects against AFB1-induced liver toxicity in broilers. Full article

Plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) have shown broad potential to improve soil conditions and enhance root growth and development. However, few studies have examined the effects of exogenous PGPF inoculation on the growth of the medicinal plant Saposhnikovia divaricata and the associated changes in the rhizosphere microbiome. In this study, Aspergillus neoalliaceus MR-86 exhibited phosphate solubilization, growth in nitrogen-free medium, potassium solubilization, IAA production, and siderophore production. PCR assays did not detect the aflatoxin biosynthesis-related genes aflR, aflS, and omtA in strain MR-86. Pot trials demonstrated that inoculation with MR-86 significantly increased the plant height and root dry weight of S. divaricata by 10.32% and 21.05%, respectively (p < 0.05). In the rhizosphere, soil pH decreased, whereas soil alkaline-hydrolyzable nitrogen and available phosphorus levels, as well as the activities of protease, urease, and cellulase, increased significantly. Illumina NovaSeq sequencing revealed that MR-86 inoculation altered the soil microbial community structure and specifically enriched several microbial taxa, including Talaromyces, Subulicystidium, and Aspergillus. Moreover, MR-86 inoculation did not alter the composition of dominant bacterial and fungal phyla, but significantly modified microbial interactions and the topology of microbial networks. Correlation analysis indicated that the specific microbial taxa Subulicystidium, Aspergillus, and Talaromyces were positively associated with soil nutrient indices, enzyme activities, and plant growth parameters. Functional prediction analysis indicated that MR-86 treatment was predicted to be enriched bacterial metabolic pathways, including flavone and flavonol biosynthesis and ether lipid metabolism, and was predicted to increase the relative abundance of functional fungal groups such as ectomycorrhizal and wood-decomposing fungi. In summary, A. neoalliaceus MR-86 may contribute to improved growth of S. divaricata by enhancing nutrient availability and transformation and by modulating the structure and function of the rhizosphere microbiome. Full article

Aflatoxins (AFs), toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species, represent a major threat to food safety and public health due to their pronounced hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects. With increasing global contamination risks driven by climate change and agricultural practices, the development of effective detoxification strategies has become a critical priority. This review provides a comprehensive and mechanistic overview of current aflatoxin (AF) decontamination approaches, focusing on two principal pathways: adsorption and inhibition strategies. Adsorption mechanisms involve the physicochemical sequestration of aflatoxins by inorganic materials, biological adsorbents, and engineered nanocomposites, thereby reducing toxin bioavailability. In contrast, inhibition strategies target fungal growth, toxin biosynthesis pathways, or promote enzymatic and microbial degradation of aflatoxins, offering more specific and potentially sustainable control. We critically analyze the underlying mechanisms, advantages, and limitations of each approach, including issues related to specificity, environmental stability, safety, and interactions with food matrices. Particular emphasis is placed on the toxicological implications of detoxification processes, including the reduction in aflatoxin-induced health risks and the safety of degradation products. Finally, this review highlights the importance of integrating adsorption and inhibition strategies to achieve synergistic decontamination and detoxification effects. Future perspectives on multifunctional materials, biological control systems, and intelligent monitoring technologies are discussed to advance the development of efficient, safe, and sustainable aflatoxin mitigation strategies. Full article

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogen commonly found in staple foods from tropical regions. Aim: This scoping review collated existing evidence on AFB1 contamination in rice, maize, and peanut-based products across ASEAN countries to estimate chronic dietary exposure, Margin of Exposure (MOE), and the associated liver cancer risk. Methods: A systematic search was performed in five databases. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and risk metrics were calculated using sample-size weighted mean concentrations, along with regional consumption data. Risk characterisation used the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL₁₀) of 400 ng/kg BW/day, while liver cancer potency levels were adjusted according to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence for each population. Results: Twenty studies from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines met the inclusion criteria. Peanuts and maize had the highest AFB1 concentrations among all food groups. Peanuts showed the highest contamination in the Philippines, followed by Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Maize exhibited a similar trend, with the highest levels observed in the Philippines. Most MOE values calculated were below 10,000, indicating a major public health concern. An exception was peanuts in Thailand, where MOE values exceeded 10,000, thus indicating a lower genotoxic carcinogenicity risk. The estimated liver cancer burden due to dietary AFB1 varied widely among countries and commodities. Conclusions: These findings show significant differences in AFB1 exposure in the ASEAN region. There is a need for improved surveillance, better post-harvest management, and harmonised regional risk management strategies. Full article

Aflatoxins are widespread hepatotoxic food contaminants, yet age-specific cumulative exposure to multiple aflatoxins and associated health risks remain poorly characterized. This study assessed cumulative dietary exposure to aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), B₂, G₁, and G₂, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk across five age groups, evaluating the influence of packaging and retail sources on contamination. Contamination data of 1179 food samples and consumption data were integrated to calculate the margin of exposure (MoE) and annual HCC incidence. AFB₁ was most frequently detected and often co-occurred with other aflatoxins; bulk vegetable oils showed the highest total aflatoxin detection rate. Roasted peanuts contributed most to aflatoxin exposure, particularly among children aged 3–6 (MoE 900–1206). Rice, rice products, and coarse grains were primary contributors to aflatoxin-attributable HCC risk (0.008 cases per 100,000 person-years). Overall contamination was significantly higher in bulk products than in pre-packaged foods (p < 0.05) and in samples from farmers’ markets and grocery stores than in other sites (p < 0.05). These findings reveal non-negligible aflatoxin-related health risks for Guangzhou residents, especially young children and frequent consumers of staple grains and nuts. Targeted monitoring of high-risk foods and retail environments and age-specific dietary guidance are recommended to reduce population-level aflatoxin exposure and HCC risk. Full article

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence in Texas is 45% higher than the national average, with disproportionate burden among the Hispanic/Latino population. Despite significant health disparities, comprehensive evidence on HCC risk factors specific to this population remains limited. This scoping review of 20 primarily observational studies utilized PubMed, EbscoHost, and the PRISMA-ScR checklist to map risk factors in south Texas. Results show that metabolic dysfunction, specifically diabetes and obesity, increases advanced liver disease odds by 7- to 12-fold compared to non-Hispanic groups. Environmental exposures are also significant: aflatoxin was detected in 5.7 to 7.3% of Hispanic/Latino HCC tumors, and cases demonstrated 6-fold higher odds of aflatoxin biomarkers, while alcohol contributed to 3.0% of cancers. Furthermore, PNPLA3 genetic variants exerted synergistic effects with obesity and heavy alcohol consumption. Among four intervention studies, strategies included low-dose calcium montmorillonite clay for aflatoxin reduction, community-health-worker-integrated chronic care, and hospital-based hepatitis screening. However, critical research gaps remain regarding multirisk factor interactions, toxin dose–response characterization, dietary interventions, and longitudinal data. These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally tailored, community-engaged prevention programs and ethnicity-specific HCC guidelines for the Texas Hispanic/Latino population to effectively address these rising health disparities. Full article

Mycotoxins are one of the biggest threats to global food safety, public health, and economic stability. More than 400 mycotoxins have been found to be secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi, mostly from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FBs), patulin (PAT), and T-2/HT-2 toxins are the most dangerous to the health of people and animals. Conventional physical and chemical decontamination methods are only partially effective and can reduce food quality, leave toxic residues, or be too expensive for smallholder food systems. Recent studies have shown that the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a biological detoxification method is a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option, and has a long history of safe use in fermented foods. Selected strains or taxonomic units have been granted GRAS status by the FDA or QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status by EFSA. However, their use for mycotoxin detoxification still requires strain-level safety assessment and efficacy validation in the intended food matrix. There are several mechanisms by which LAB employ to reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins in food systems: (i) physical adsorption via cell wall components such as peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, and exopolysaccharides; (ii) enzymatic biotransformation that may produce non-toxic or less-toxic metabolites, though the safety of degradation products requires case-by-case toxicological assessment; (iii) antifungal metabolite production that inhibits fungal growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis; and (iv) competitive exclusion of toxigenic fungi during fermentation. This comprehensive review examines the existing evidence on the detoxification of major food mycotoxins by LAB, with an emphasis on mechanisms, strain-specific efficacy, food-matrix applications, and factors that affect detoxification efficacy. Discussion has also been made of translating in vitro findings to in vivo settings and food-scale applications, alongside regulatory frameworks, current challenges, and future research directions. The review also suggests ways to combine LAB with new technologies, such as encapsulation, genetic engineering, and fermentation optimization, to make food systems safer by synergistically controlling mycotoxins. Full article

The growing global protein demand and environmental concerns from conventional animal agriculture have driven the exploration of sustainable alternative protein sources. Single-cell proteins (SCPs) from microbial fermentation offer a promising solution. This study comprehensively evaluated the nutritional value and safety profile of SCP produced from Ralstonia eutropha H16 through integrated in vitro and in vivo assessments. Nutritional analyses revealed a high crude protein content of 71.87 ± 5.05 g/100 g dry weight, with total amino acids of 53.67 ± 1.05 g/100 g. The essential amino acid content was 24.38 ± 0.51 g/100 g, accounting for 45% of the total amino acids. An essential amino acid index (EAAI) of 1.46 ± 0.04 and an amino acid score (AAS) of 0.83 ± 0.06 confirmed its classification as a high-quality protein source according to FAO/WHO standards. In vivo rat feeding trials demonstrated an adjusted protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 1.81, exceeding common plant proteins such as wheat (0.8–1.1). True digestibility (TD) reached 85.73%, with a biological value (BV) of 49.37%, net protein utilization (NPU) of 42.33%, and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of 0.71. Comprehensive safety assessments included chemical contaminant screening, acute oral toxicity studies in rats and mice, in vitro chromosome aberration tests, and erythrocyte micronucleus tests. Heavy metals and aflatoxin B₁ levels were below regulatory limits. Acute oral toxicity studies established LD₅₀ values exceeding 10,000 mg/kg body weight in both rodent species, classifying this protein source as practically non-toxic. The 28-day sub-acute toxicity study showed no significant adverse effects at low doses (6.25% protein replacement). Both genotoxicity assays (mammalian cell chromosome aberration assay and mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test) returned negative results. These findings establish R. eutropha H16-derived SCP as a safe, nutritious, and sustainable protein source with considerable potential for feed and food applications, contributing to global food security and environmental sustainability. Full article

The contamination of cereals by mycotoxins represents a major concern due to their harmful effects on human health and food quality. The current study investigated the occurrence of major mycotoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, OTA, ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1) in 158 raw cereal samples (durum wheat, barley, and maize) collected from two Tunisian regions: Beja (continental region) and Mahdia (coastal region). Mycotoxins were extracted using the QuEChERS method and quantified by UHPLC–MS/MS. Several mycotoxins were detected at high levels across all the cereals. In the Beja region, durum wheat was contaminated with AFB1, AFG1, ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1, with ENB being the most frequent (70%). Mahdia durum wheat was contaminated only with ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1, with ENB1 being the most prevalent (22.6%). Barley from both regions was contaminated only with ENs. The ENB was the most frequent (Beja 66%, Mahdia 28.6%). Maize from Beja was contaminated by OTA and ENs, with ENA1 being the most frequent (22.5%), while maize from Mahdia was contaminated by AFB1, AFB2, AFG2, and ENs (AFB1 was the most frequent, 35%). All wheat samples contaminated with AFG1 (6.55%) exceeded the European Union maximum limit for AFs in cereals (4 µg/kg). Similarly, maize samples contaminated with AFB1 (17.5%), AFB2 (10%), and AFG2 (2.5%) exceeded the EU maximum limit for aflatoxins in maize (10 µg/kg). Additionally, maize samples contaminated with OTA (5%) exceeded the EU maximum limit for OTA in unprocessed cereals (5 µg/kg). The co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins was observed in all cereal types, with up to six different mycotoxins detected in a single sample. Dietary risk assessment revealed high EDIs of AFB1, AFG1, and ENs through the consumption of wheat and barley by Tunisian adults. The calculated MOE values for AFB1 and AFG1 in wheat were below 10,000 (MOE = 1190 for AFB1 and 2.5 for AFG1), suggesting a potential health concern associated with dietary exposure. Despite this potential risk, AFB1 and AFG1 were detected in only 3% and 7% of the analyzed samples, respectively. These results highlight the need for regular monitoring and the establishment of regulations to control mycotoxins in Tunisian cereals. Full article