Search Results (11)

Mycotoxins, toxic fungal secondary metabolites, exhibit a diverse array of toxicological effects, including hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, estrogenicity, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. These toxins cause severe contamination in food, feed, and traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), threatening global food security and imposing substantial economic burdens. Among over 400 distinct mycotoxins identified to date, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN) stand out for their pervasive contamination and grave toxicities. Upon absorption, these toxins undergo biotransformation into reactive metabolites that exert multifaceted toxicities via mechanisms such as carcinogenesis, estrogenic effects, oxidative stress, inflammation, and abnormal apoptosis, collectively threatening human and livestock health. The application of natural and engineered enterosorbents suppresses intestinal absorption and subsequent bioactivation of mycotoxins, while dietary small-molecule bioactive compounds neutralize post-absorption toxicity via biotransformation intervention and cytoprotective reinforcement, collectively preventing the onset and progression of related diseases. This paper reviews the biosynthetic routes of three representative mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, and ZEN), along with their biotransformation and underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, nutritional intervention approaches targeting the underlying mechanisms to ameliorate mycotoxin-induced damage are discussed. This review not only provides valuable insights for future research on mycotoxin toxicity, but also establishes a theoretical foundation for utilizing dietary strategies to counteract mycotoxin-induced physical damage. Full article

Dietary and environmental exposure to aflatoxins via contaminated food items can pose major health challenges to both humans and animals. Studies have reported the coexistence of aflatoxins and other environmental toxins. This emphasizes the urgent need for efficient and effective mitigation strategies for aflatoxins. Previous reports from our laboratory have demonstrated the potency of the green-engineered clays (GECs) on ochratoxin and other toxic chemicals. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the binding and detoxification potential of chlorophyll (CMCH and SMCH) and chlorophyllin (CMCHin and SMCHin)-amended montmorillonite clays for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In addition to analyzing binding metrics including affinity, capacity, free energy, and enthalpy, the sorption mechanisms of AFB1 onto the surfaces of engineered clays were also investigated. Computational and experimental studies were performed to validate the efficacy and safety of the clays. CMCH showed the highest binding capacity (Qmax) of 0.43 mol/kg compared to the parent clays CM (0.34 mol/kg) and SM (0.32 mol/kg). Interestingly, there were no significant changes in the binding capacity of the clays at pH2 and pH6, suggesting that the clays can bind to AFB1 throughout the gastrointestinal track. In silico investigations employing molecular dynamics simulations also demonstrated that CMCH enhanced AFB1 binding as compared to parent clay and predicted hydrophobic interactions as the main mode of interaction between the AFB1 and CMCH. This was corroborated by the kinetic results which indicated that the interaction was best defined by chemosorption with favorable thermodynamics and Gibbs free energy (∆G) being negative. In vitro experiments in Hep G2 cells showed that clay treatment mitigated AFB1-induced cytotoxicity, with the exception of 0.5% (w/v) SMCH. Finally, the in vivo results validated the protection of all the clays against AFB1-induced toxicities in Hydra vulgaris. This study showed that these clays significantly detoxified AFB1 (86% to 100%) and provided complete protection at levels as low as 0.1%, suggesting that they may be used as AFB1 binders in feed and food. Full article

Bis-N,N-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)thiosemicarbazide 3 was obtained by the condensation of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane 1 with thiosemicarbazide 2. Ethyl ether N-[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]-b-alanine 5 was obtained by the interaction of an equimolar amount of aminopropyltriethoxysilane 1 and ethyl acrylate 4 (aza-Michael reaction). Synthesized functional organosilanes 3 and 5 were successfully immobilized on the surface of natural zeolite Z (Chankanai deposit, Kazakhstan). Compounds and materials have been studied by NMR and IR Fourier spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The elemental composition and morphology of modified zeolites Z3 and Z5 were studied using SEM-EDX analysis. The modification of zeolite by organosilanes 3 and 5 leads to changes in the surface structure of the material: with the enlargement of particles and agglomerates, the surface becomes more homogeneous and less porous. This indicates a high degree of zeolite coverage by the modifier layer. The study of the sorption characteristics of the initial Z and modified zeolites (Z3 and Z5) showed a high sorption capacity relative to Ag(I) and Co(II) (static sorption capacity, SSC = 35.85–23.92 mg/g), whereas the SSC values for Z were SSC = 20.63 and 16.64 mg/g. The adsorption of Ag(I) and Co(II) ions was studied in solutions prepared using Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, AgNO₃ and distilled water. The choice of the initial concentration of metal ions, as well as the pH of the solutions, corresponded to the composition of wastewater from real electroplating production. Zeolites Z3 and Z5 can be used in various sectors of industry, in ecology and for medical purposes as inexpensive and effective adsorbents (enterosorbents) of heavy and noble metals. Full article

The aza-Michael reaction of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (1) and -silatrane (2) with acrylates affords functionalized silyl-(3–8) and silatranyl-(9–14) mono- and diadducts with up to a 99% yield. Their structure has been proved with IR and NMR spectroscopies, mass spectrometry and XRD analysis. The hydrolytic homo-condensation of triethoxysilanes 3–5 gives siloxanes 3a–5a, which form complexes with Ag, Cu, and Ni salts. They are also able to adsorb these metals from solutions. The hetero-condensation reaction of silanes 4–8 with OH groups of zeolite (Z), silica gel (S) and glass (G) delivers the modified materials (Z4, S7, G4, G5, G7, G8, etc.), which can adsorb ions of noble metal (Au, Rh, Pd: G4 + Au, G5 + Pd, G7 + Rh). Thus, the synthesized Si-organic polymers and materials turned out to be promising sorbents (enterosorbents) of noble, heavy, toxic metal ions and can be applied in industry, environment, and medicine. Full article

The aim of the study was the improvement of the phytosorbent range to solve the actual problems of preventing mycotoxicosis caused by numerous types of azaheterocyclic mycotoxins. Technological approaches to structural released pectin and to the formation of a surface layer that was capable of adhesive interaction with montmorillonite particles was identified. The increase in the material porosity and the formation of a hybrid polymer-inorganic coating on a cellulose matrix surface were revealed by scanning electron microscopy and gas adsorption. The modification of rhubarb biomass increased sorption capacity in comparison with the raw material seven-fold. The properties of rhubarb pectin and a hybrid composite based on it were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, viscometry, laser diffraction and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results were compared with the characteristics of commercial citrus pectin. Models of the molecular structure of the polymer chain and the spatial interaction between macromolecules in the structure of the sorbing grain were proposed based on the pectin chemical state. The influence of the pectin structural organization on the kinetic parameters of the pH-regulated sorption of the test alkaloid under conditions simulating the functioning of the human digestive organs and those of farm animals was traced. The results of the studies allow prognoses on the sorption binding of alkaloids and determinations of the dosage of pectin-containing phytopreparations for mycotoxicos prevention. Full article

This paper presents the results of scientific research on the structural parameters and the adsorption capacity of activated carbon obtained from apricot kernels (AC-A) in a fluidized layer. The obtained results highlight the fact that the described procedure allows obtaining a mesoporous carbon adsorbent with increased adsorption capacities (S_BET = 1424 m²/g) and with quality indices corresponding to the requirements of the carbon enterosorbents imposed by the European Pharmacopoeia Monograph. Adsorption kinetics studies of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus have shown that the time to establish the adsorption equilibrium is 75–90 min. The adsorption of the mentioned bacteria on the carbon enterosorbent AC-A was studied depending on the temperature (26 and 36 °C) and pH of the solution (1.97–4.05). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the immobilization of bacteria takes place on the outer surface of the carbon adsorbent due to the fact that the geometric dimensions of the bacteria are often larger than the macro diameter of the activated carbon pores. FTIR investigations also indicated the presence of bacteria on the surface of the activated carbon. Full article

The use of enterosorbents—materials which can be administered orally and eliminate toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by sorption—offers an attractive complementary protection of humans against acute and chronic poisoning. In this study, we report the results of developing a microgranulated binary biomedical preparation for oral use. It was designed with a core-shell structure based on pectin with low degree of esterification as the core, and nanoporous activated carbon produced from rice husk, AC-RH, as the shell, designated as AC-RH@pectin. The adsorption properties of the synthesized materials were studied in aqueous solutions for the removal of lead (II) nitrate as a representative of toxic polyvalent metals and sodium diclofenac as an example of a medicinal drug. The composite enterosorbent demonstrated high adsorption capacity for both adsorbates studied. Adsorption kinetics of lead and diclofenac adsorption by AC-RH, pectin, and AC-RH@pectin, fitted well a pseudo-second-order model. According to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, the best fitted isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacity, q_max, of AC-RH@pectin for diclofenac and for lead (II) was 130.9 mg/g and 227.8 mg/g, respectively. Although q_max of AC-RH for diclofenac, 537.6 mg/g, and q_max of pectin for lead (II), 245.7 mg/g, were higher, the maximum adsorption capacity of AC-RH for lead (II), 52.7 mg/g, was much lower than that of the composite AC-RH@pectin and the adsorption capacity of pectin for diclofenac was negligible. Therefore, the composite material AC-RH@pectin demonstrated substantial efficiency of removing both species which potentially defines it as a more universal enterosorbent suitable for treating poisoning caused by substances of different chemical nature. Full article

Activated charcoal (AC) can be taken orally as enterosorbent for treatment of pathological states related to exogenous and endogenous intoxications. Synthesized granulated AC with a highly developed active surface (S_BET ~2700 m²/g) was used as a medical countermeasure (MCM) to acute radiation sickness (ARS) in rats after total body X-ray irradiation. AC demonstrates positive results in ARS treatment, as expressed in, (i) a decrease in body weight loss, (ii) a protection of bone marrow (BM) cells colony formation capacity, (iii) a reduction of BM chromosomal aberrations and small intestine and spleen tissue damage, (iv) an amelioration of white blood cell count, and (v) a mitigation of superoxide ion generation rate in the liver. AC oral prescription seems to be perspective modality of ARS treatment. Full article

Enterosorbents are widely-used materials for human body detoxification, which function by immobilizing and eliminating endogenous and exogenous toxins. Here, activated carbons, obtained from the lignocellulosic raw vegetal materials of indigenous provenance, have been studied. Walnut shell and wood from local species of nuts and apple-trees were carbonized, and further activated at high temperatures with water vapors in a rotary kiln. A second activation was carried out, in a fluidized bed reactor, but for shorter times. The textural properties of the samples were determined from the adsorption isotherms of nitrogen at 77 K, allowing the obtaining of highly mesoporous materials, while the adsorption capacity permitted an essential rise of six to seven times in the maximal adsorption values of the metabolites, which was determined by the reactivation process. A kinetic study of vitamin B₁₂ and creatinine immobilization was performed, the optimal immobilization time for the apple-tree wood reactivated carbons being 2 times longer than for those originating from walnut shells. An additional investigation was also performed in specific conditions that simulate the real environment of immobilization: the temperature of a febrile human body (at the temperature T = 38 °C) and the characteristic acidity of the urinary tract and stomach (at the pH of 5.68 and 2.53, respectively). The activated carbonic adsorbents studied here, together with the results of the immobilization studies, show that these procedures can conduct a good incorporation of some endogenous metabolic products, such as vitamin B₁₂ and creatinine, therefore presenting a good opportunity for their use as forthcoming commercial enterosorbents. Full article

The risk of pesticide exposure in humans and animals may be magnified following natural and man-made disasters such as hurricanes and floods that can result in mobilization and redistribution of contaminated sediments. To develop broad-acting sorbents for mixtures of diverse toxins, we have processed calcium and sodium montmorillonite clays with high concentrations of sulfuric acid. These acid-processed montmorillonite clays (APMs) have shown limited hydration and swelling in water, higher surface areas, and lower trace metal levels than the parent clays, prior to processing. Isothermal analyses have indicated that newly developed APMs are highly active sorbents, with significantly increased binding capacities for a wide range of pesticides, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), lindane, diazinon, linuron, trifluralin and paraquat. The safety and protective effects of APMs, against pesticide design mixtures, were confirmed in a living organism (Hydra vulgaris). Further work is planned to confirm the safety of the APMs in long-term rodent studies. This is the first report of a sorbent material (other than carbon) with high binding efficacy for mixtures of these pesticides. Based on our results, APMs (and similar clays), may be able to decrease human and animal pesticide exposures during disasters and emergencies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Side effects of anti-cancer drugs are usually accompanied by oxidative stress, including myelotoxicity. We evaluated the potential of oral highly activated micro-/macroporous carbon adsorbents (bulk density of 0.16 g/cm³, surface area calculation by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller model (S_BET) > 2200 m²/g, derived from proprietary phenolic resin beads) to alleviate oxidative stress and myelotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: A single injection of cytostatic melphalan (L-PAM) at a dose of 4 mg/kg was used for modelling. Two forms of activated carbon were used: AC1—primary beads with the particle size range of 125–250 µm, and AC2—micronized AC1 with a mean particle size of ~1 µm. We measured haematological parameters white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet count, and haemoglobin level. Oxidative stress intensity was evaluated using the following markers: total levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in blood plasma; catalase activity (CAT) and pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio in blood haemolysate samples; level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues; oxidative modification of proteins, OPM (APHD, aldehyde–dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives and KPHD, ketone dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives) and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) in blood plasma and liver samples. Results: AC2 administration promoted significant myeloprotective effect: 1.5-fold increase in leukocytes, 2-fold in neutrophils, 1.5-fold in lymphocytes, and 1.23-fold in platelet count compared to the experimental Melphalan Group. At the same time, AC1 administration resulted in a slight increase in haematological parameters. Both ACs positively corrected important, but diverse, components of oxidative stress. They significantly reduced oxidative modification of blood and liver proteins (especially the AC1 form), normalized the level of reduced glutathione, pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio and other markers. For some markers, such as ROS production in blood plasma, the use of enterosorbents resulted in non-significant a shift towards normal parameters. Conclusions: Oral activated carbon adsorbents reduce oxidative stress intensity and myelotoxicity; they can be promising means to combat the adverse effects of chemotherapy in clinical practice. Full article