Search Results (633)

Mycotoxin contamination in wheat products has consistently been a key issue of concern in food safety, and urinary biomonitoring provides an effective approach for assessing internal human exposure. In this study, a sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 28 mycotoxins in wheat products and human urine. For the two matrices, the extraction solvent, acid concentration, solid-phase extraction cartridge type, and enzymatic hydrolysis parameters were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, all target compounds showed excellent linear relationships within the tested concentration ranges (R² > 0.99). In wheat products, the spiked recoveries ranged from 70.2% to 120%, the repeatabilities ranged from 1.6% to 9.1%, and the limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.001~8.3 μg/kg and 0.002~25.0 μg/kg, respectively. In urine, the spiked recoveries ranged from 79.3% to 120%, the repeatabilities ranged from 0.7% to 9.4%, and the limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.0001~1.0 μg/L and 0.0002~3.0 μg/L, respectively. Analysis of real samples showed that at least seven mycotoxins were detected in wheat product samples, and at least five were detected in urine samples. In wheat products, the detection rates of deoxynivalenol, enniatin B, enniatin A₁, enniatin B₁, tenuazonic acid, and tentoxin were all 100%, whereas in urine, the detection rate of fumonisin B₁ reached 100%, and tenuazonic acid showed the highest mean concentration in both matrices. In conclusion, the developed ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method is suitable for the simultaneous quantification of 28 mycotoxins in wheat products and human urine, and its preliminary application demonstrates good practical applicability. Full article

Alternative protein sources are increasingly considered in poultry nutrition, and insect meals may represent a promising strategy for modifying the compositional profile of maize silage in the context of waterfowl feeding. This study evaluated maize silage supplemented with Hermetia illucens (BAHI) or Tenebrio molitor (BATM) meal as alternatives to urea (BAUR) as a nitrogen source, including variants with lauric acid (BALA) and with the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant alone (BA), focusing on nutritional composition, microbiological quality, and selected mycotoxins (MT). Maize forage treated with LAB was ensiled for 8 weeks in five variants, with three independent silage replicates per treatment, and the silages were analyzed for nutrients, energy value, amino acids, fatty acids, microbial and MT content. Insect meals increased crude protein compared with BA (64.94–67.32 vs. 49.73 g/kg dry matter, DM) and nearly doubled ether extract in BAHI (40.08 vs. 21.74 g/kg DM), while apparent metabolizable energy for poultry ranged from 8.55 to 9.87 MJ/kg DM (BAHI). Urea elevated crude protein content to 66.37 g/kg DM without improving the essential amino acid index. Microbial indicators did not differ among treatments. In the MT profile, lower deoxynivalenol concentrations were observed in BAUR, BAHI, and BATM, and lower fumonisin B1 concentrations were observed in BATM and BALA, while aflatoxins and ochratoxin A were not detected. Overall, the results indicate that low-level inclusion of insect meals in combination with LAB improved the compositional characteristics of maize silage, while no significant differences were detected in the monitored microbial counts and only selective changes were observed in the mycotoxin profile. Full article

Multiple mycotoxins in feed threaten animal health and food safety, demanding sustainable mitigation strategies. This study evaluated acid-modified mangosteen peel (AMP), an agricultural by-product, as a potential multi-mycotoxin adsorbent. Physicochemical characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses demonstrated that acid modification increased surface area (1.9 to 9.03 m²/g), pore volume (0.005 to 0.027 cm³/g), and surface negativity, indicating enhanced adsorption properties. In vitro binding experiments assessed adsorption of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) under different pH conditions. AMP exhibited high adsorption efficiencies for AFB₁, ZEA, OTA, and T-2 toxin, particularly at pH 3, whereas DON and FB₁ showed limited binding. Adsorption behavior was dose-dependent and best described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion indicated stable binding of AFB₁ and ZEA under gastric conditions, with partial release of some toxins at neutral pH. Cytotoxicity assessment in porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC J2) showed no apparent cytotoxic effects at 0.25–1 mg/mL. Therefore, AMP demonstrated improved multi-mycotoxin adsorption compared to the untreated material and showed no apparent cytotoxic effects in vitro within the tested concentration range, indicating its potential as a promising feed additive candidate. Full article

Alterations in sphingolipids (SLs), oxylipins (OLs) and cytokines (CKs) are central to neuroinflammation. However, the effects of low doses Fumonisins B (FBs) on these analytes in the avian brain remain unclear.This study investigated SLs, OLs, CKs, and the activities of phospholipase A2c (PLA2c) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in the brains of chickens exposed to FB at a nominally safe dose of 14.6 mg FB1 + FB2/kg for 14 and 21 days. Targeted LC-MS/MS analyses revealed that FB exposure increased brain concentrations of sphingosine, N-acetyl-sphingosine, sphingosine 1-phosphate (So1P), ceramides (Cers), and sphingomyelins (SM). The Cer:SM ratio was elevated at 14 days but normalized by 21 days, whereas the So1P:Cer ratio rose at 14 days and continued to increase at 21 days. These changes coincided with elevated PLA2c and COX2 activities. OL profiling indicated a modest rise in pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid-derived COX metabolites at 14 days, while anti-inflammatory OLs derived from COX and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways, including PGE2, 15-HETE, and 17-HDHA, increased significantly at 21 days. In contrast, the levels of CKs changed only slightly. Brain concentrations of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) indicated increased blood–brain barrier permeability.These findings highlight a key role of Cers in modulating OL production in FB neurotoxicity. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination remains a persistent threat to food safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, driven by conducive tropical agroecological conditions, inadequate post-harvest practices, and limited regulatory governance. This critical narrative review (2009–2024) synthesizes the occurrence data for major staple foods (maize, peanuts, cassava, sorghum, millet, and beans) and dairy products compiled from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, MDPI and institutional sources. It examines the co-occurrence patterns, exposure pathways, and analytical and regulatory gaps. Warm, humid lowland environments favor Aspergillus and aflatoxins, whereas cooler, humid highland zones promote Fusarium, fumonisins, and deoxynivalenol. Across commodities, contamination intensifies along food value chains through inadequate drying, non-hermetic storage, insect damage, and prolonged handling, with processed products generally exhibiting the highest levels of mycotoxins. Regulated mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, ochratoxins, and zearalenone, frequently exceed European Union (EU), East African Community (EAC), and Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) limits in staple foods. Their co-occurrence is widespread, including emerging mycotoxins such as beauvericin and enniatins, particularly in maize- and peanut-based products, raising concerns about potential additive or synergistic effects. Aflatoxin M1 in milk highlights plant–feed–animal–human transfer within a One Health framework. Despite increasing evidence, the available data remain fragmented and heterogeneous; rapid tests dominate, while few studies employ multi-mycotoxin LC-MS/MS methods. Cross-border trade between countries, such as Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Angola, facilitates the circulation of contaminated commodities in the absence of harmonized standards and risk-based controls. Priorities include harmonized regional surveillance, biomarker-based co-exposure assessment, cost-effectiveness evaluation of mitigation strategies, and regulatory alignment at borders. Coordinated, multisectoral action is essential to reduce chronic dietary exposure and improve food safety across the region. Full article

Fusarium ear rot (FER), caused by F. verticillioides, is a devastating disease in maize, leading to substantial yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Therefore, revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying FER resistance is essential for crop breeding. Here, we performed integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on two maize inbred lines with contrasting FER resistance: the resistant line ZL30-12 (ZL30) and the susceptible line 92C0468U (92C). Following F. verticillioides inoculation, ZL30 exhibited sustained inhibition of fungal colonization and fumonisin accumulation, whereas 92C showed progressive disease development and elevated fumonisin levels. Both transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses converged on the phenylpropanoid pathway, with DEGs enriched in phenylpropanoid metabolism and DAMs enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, highlighting its central role in resistance. Further integrative analysis revealed that the lignin biosynthetic process, a key branch of phenylpropanoid metabolism, plays an important role in resistance. Several key DEGs (ZmPAL, ZmHCT, peroxidases, and ZmCOMT) and DAMs (sinapic acid, sinapaldehyde, coniferin, cinnamic acid, and caffeic acid) were differentially regulated between the two lines. Correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between ZmCOMT expression and sinapic acid accumulation. RT-qPCR validation confirmed the expression patterns of key lignin-associated genes. The elevated activation of lignin biosynthesis in ZL30, via time-dependent induction of key genes (ZmPAL, ZmHCT, and peroxidases), suggests an increase in lignin accumulation, which likely reinforces cell wall integrity and restricts fungal invasion, thereby contributing to FER resistance. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of FER resistance and identify key lignin-associated genes as promising targets for maize breeding. Full article

The effects of broad-spectrum mycotoxin detoxifiers (BSMDs) on growth performance, liver histopathology, jejunal morphology, and oxidative stress were evaluated in broilers fed diets contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. A total of 800 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to four treatments, with eight replicates of 25 birds each, and reared for 42 days. The treatments included a basal control diet (CON); a multi-mycotoxin-contaminated diet (MMT) containing aflatoxins (25 µg/kg), zearalenone (135 µg/kg), T2 toxin (85 µg/kg), fumonisin (1.90 mg/kg), and deoxynivalenol (0.70 mg/kg); and the MMT diet supplemented with either 1.0 kg/ton BSMD-1 or 1.5 kg/ton BSMD-2. MMT contamination did not affect growth performance, serum malondialdehyde, interleukin-6 levels, liver enzyme activities, or liver lesion scores. Nevertheless, interleukin-10 levels were lower in birds fed the MMT diet (p = 0.03). In birds fed MMT, there was a substantial decrease (p < 0.05) in the height of the jejunal villi, their surface area, and the ratio of their height to the depth of the crypt. While BSMD-supplemented groups displayed values similar to both CON and MMT, MMT birds had higher fatty liver scores than the control group. Overall, multi-mycotoxin contamination impaired gut morphology and immune balance. BSMD supplementation improved intestinal structure, enhanced immune response, and partially mitigated liver alterations. These findings indicate its potential as a dietary intervention to mitigate the detrimental effects of multi-mycotoxin contamination in broilers. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation is severely affected by Fusarium verticillioides, a highly adaptable systemic pathogen that causes serious yield losses, reduces grain quality, and produces toxic fumonisin, posing significant health risks to humans and livestock. A biological control approach to combating it was investigated. Streptomyces sp. BPTC-684 showed strong inhibitory activity (53.11%) against F. verticillioides BNGO-16, isolated from a diseased tissue sample. Based on physiological and biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization, strain BPTC-684 is considered a candidate new species belonging to the genus Streptomyces. In silico analysis of Streptomyces sp. BPTC-684 showed that it expresses diverse biosynthetic gene clusters encoding potential bioactive compounds, notably antibiotics (kinamycin, antimycin, fuelimycins A-C, hangtaimycin, and deoxyhangtaimycin) and siderophores (desferrioxamines B and E). In addition, plant growth-promoting behaviors, such as indole-3-acetic acid production; phosphate solubilization; and the production of extracellular lytic enzymes that degrade cellulose, chitin, proteins, amylose, and xylan, were also discovered in Streptomyces sp. BPTC-684. The pot experiments demonstrated that plant height, fresh weight, and dry root weight were increased in strain BPTC-684 by 37.88%, 132.50%, and 223.81%, respectively, compared to F. verticillioides BNGO-16 on the 15th day of infection. These findings suggest that Streptomyces sp. BPTC-684 is a promising biological control agent for inhibiting fungal diseases and promoting maize growth. Full article

Food safety requires real-time monitoring of mycotoxins in food, as food products contaminated with these toxins poses major threat to human health. In this study, we proposed a remote-controlled microfluidic platform (RCMP) integrated with chemiluminescent/colorimetric detection system for rapid, cost-effective and real-monitoring of multiple mycotoxins in real samples based on the indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA). The RCMP enabled sensitive and automatic detection of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in the range of 4–128 ng/mL, 1–32 ng/mL, and 0.5–16 ng/mL, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 2.881 ng/mL for DON, 0.702 ng/mL for ZEA, and 0.470 ng/mL for FB1. In further validation, satisfactory recoveries between 93.57% to 108.47% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 6.92–11.39% were obtained in beer samples. Overall, RCMP provides an automatic, high-throughput and cost-effective method for detection of DON, ZEA, and FB1 and can be confidently applied for monitoring in beer samples. Full article

Background: Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium species that commonly contaminates cereal crops, posing serious threats to crop productivity and food safety. In plants, FB1 inhibits ceramide synthase, disrupts sphingolipid metabolism, and induces growth inhibition and programmed cell death. Despite the agricultural importance of fumonisin contamination, genetic strategies to enhance FB1 tolerance or detoxification capacity in crops remain limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying genetic determinants. Methods: To identify genetic determinants associated with FB1 tolerance, we exploited natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana and conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Candidate genes were further examined using gene expression analyses and functional characterization of overexpression and SALK mutant lines. Results: GWAS revealed a significant association locus on chromosome 1 linked to FB1 tolerance. Two adjacent genes within this locus, AT1G14750 and AT1G14755, were identified as positive regulators of FB1 tolerance. Both genes were rapidly induced upon FB1 exposure. Functional analyses demonstrated that overexpression of either gene significantly enhanced tolerance to FB1-induced damage, whereas SALK mutant lines displayed increased sensitivity, manifested by enhanced growth inhibition and necrosis. Conclusions: Our study identifies AT1G14750 and AT1G14755 as previously uncharacterized components of FB1 tolerance in Arabidopsis. These findings provide new insights into the genetic architecture of plant response to mycotoxin stress and establish a foundation for further studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying FB1 tolerance. Full article

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium species, exhibiting strong toxicity and classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It poses a significant threat to both human and animal health. Therefore, developing a simple and reliable method for FB1 detection and analysis is imperative. In this study, a biosensor based on nucleic acid aptamers was developed, utilizing plasma-modified graphene oxide (mGO) as a fluorescence quencher for FB1 detection. This system leverages the interaction between mGO and FAM-APT (a nucleic acid aptamer labeled with 5-carboxyfluorescein, FAM), achieving fluorescence quenching through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) under excitation at 490 nm and emission at 520 nm. In the presence of FB1, FAM-APT specifically binds to FB1 and dissociates from the mGO surface, resulting in fluorescence recovery. Quantitative detection of FB1 was achieved by measuring the differential fluorescence intensity. The biosensor demonstrated excellent linearity over a concentration range of 10 to 5 × 10⁶ ng/L, with a detection limit (LOD) as low as 0.16 μg/L. Additionally, the sensor exhibited high specificity for FB1 among six common mycotoxins. In practical sample analysis, recovery rates ranged from 95.8% to 104.7% in corn samples and from 89.3% to 94.5% in rice samples. This aptamer-based biosensor features a simple structure, high sensitivity, and a wide detection range, providing important technical support for advancing mycotoxin research. Full article

The exploration of natural redox-modulating agents to mitigate/reduce oxidative damage triggered by toxins is a major area of interest in nutritional and pharmacological fields. Aspalathus linearis (rooibos), traditionally consumed in South Africa for health benefits, was assessed for hepatoprotective effects against fumonisin B1 (FB1)-induced damage. This study involved 24 male rats (n = 6/group) that received FB1 (50 mg/kg diet equivalent, i.p. for 5 days) with or without oral exposure to unfermented (GR) or fermented (FR) rooibos extracts. Alongside somatic records, we assessed blood biochemicals, as well as liver histology, antioxidative stress markers (GSH, GPx, MDA, and carbonylation), regulatory proteins (Nrf2, Sirt3, PGC-α, TRX1, HSP70, and LONp1), inflammation (cytokines), and phospholipid fatty acid profile. Based on results, FB1 suppressed growth, compromised liver function, altered redox status, and elevated stress markers. Both rooibos extracts decreased oxidative damage (↓MDA, ↓carbonylation) and modulated stress regulators (↑Nrf2, ↓HSP70). FR uniquely increased GPx and TRX1 while decreasing IL-1β and PGC-α concentrations, whereas GR strongly increased Nrf2 and Sirt3, reflecting distinct bioactivities linked to their differing polyphenolic profiles. Neither extract compensated for FB1-induced alterations in the liver total phospholipid fatty acid profile or serum cholesterol. In conclusion, GR and FR improved redox potential and inflammatory/stress response; however, this effect was selective, as it did not translate into comprehensive hepatoprotection. These findings support the potential role of rooibos as a dietary modulator of endogenous antioxidant defenses, although clinical translational trials are needed. Full article

Extreme weather impacts the ecological niches of fungi, altering mycotoxin risks in wildlife. We analyzed mycotoxin carry-over into European fallow deer (Dama dama) milk across seasons and assessed how drought influences the shift from Fusarium to Aspergillus mycotoxins and affects physiological resilience. Samples were collected during 2021/2022 and a drought-stricken 2022/2023 from South Transdanubia and Northeastern Hungary. Aflatoxin B1/M1 (AFB1/AFM1), Fumonisin B1 (FB1), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEN), and Body Condition Scores (BCS) were measured to evaluate the impact of exposure on health status. The severe drought significantly altered the mycotoxin profile: ZEN levels declined significantly (from a median of 0.28 to 0.00 ng/mL), consistent with the moisture requirements of Fusarium graminearum, whereas DON concentrations increased. Concurrently, AFM1 persisted, exhibiting increased variance and extreme outliers in the maize-dominated South Transdanubian region. Distinct pharmacokinetic patterns were observed, and positive correlations were observed between milk and feces for lipophilic toxins, validating milk as a possible biomarker. Hydrophilic DON showed no correlation despite its accumulation. Emergence of “Poor” BCS group carrying loads supports “condition-dependent foraging” hypothesis, as stressed individuals are forced to consume contaminated resources, exacerbating oxidative stress and metabolic deficits. Full article

Fumonisins and deoxynivalenol (DON) are toxic secondary metabolites, produced by Fusarium species frequently contaminating maize, representing a critical challenge to food safety and human health. Conventional analytical methods, such as HPLC and ELISA, are accurate but time-consuming and require complex sample preparation. In contrast, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective alternative for mycotoxin screening. This study investigates the potential of NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques to detect and quantify fumonisins (primarily FB1 and FB2) and DON in maize. A total of 60 maize samples were analyzed with mean concentrations of 534 µg/kg for FB1, 208 µg/kg for FB2, and 130 µg/kg for DON. The highest cumulative contamination of FB1 + FB2 reached 3420 µg/kg. While 30% of the samples showed no detectable fumonisin contamination, DON was absent in 17% of the samples. The best performing predictive models were developed using second-derivative pre-processing of the NIR spectra. The NIR calibration model yielded coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.91 for FB1, 0.88 for FB2, and 0.92 for DON, with corresponding root mean square errors (RMSE) of 683, 282, and 115 µg/kg, respectively. These results demonstrate that NIR spectroscopy, particularly when integrated with multivariate analysis, is a promising tool for distinguishing contaminated from uncontaminated maize and estimating mycotoxin levels with reasonable accuracy. These findings support the application of NIR as a practical tool for routine screening and quality control in the maize supply chain. Full article

This study was aimed at producing nanocellulose from sugarcane bagasse and durian rind residues for applications to determine adsorption capacity against mycotoxin in poultry diets. Durian rind-derived nanocellulose exhibited finer fiber (12–21 nm diameter and 197–350 nm length) and higher yield (42.1%) than bagasse-derived nanocellulose (18–36 nm diameter and 82–169 nm length), with FTIR confirming purer cellulose I/II structures. The in vitro test adsorption capacity against ochratoxin (OTA) was determined at an incubation time of 180 min to establish working conditions. It was found that the working conditions of bagasse-derived nanocellulose and durian rind-derived nanocellulose were 33 mg/mL and 36.5 mg/mL, respectively. Subsequently, using these working conditions, adsorption capacity was determined via an in vitro digestibility test. Bagasse-derived nanocellulose exhibited an adsorption capacity against OTA of 35.59%, while durian rind-derived nanocellulose achieved an OTA adsorption rate of 39.53% at a contact time of 3 h. Naturally contaminated poultry feeds collected from nine farms in Chiang Mai, Thailand, indicated that both types of nanocelluloses achieved minimum–maximum OTA adsorption rates of 42–43%, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at 29–30%, and fumonisin B1 (FB1) at 21–23% across the nine farms’ mean values. These findings suggest that nanocellulose derived from sugarcane bagasse and durian rind has potential as a sustainable biosorbent for improving mycotoxin management in poultry production. Full article