Search Results (3,666)

Penicillium species are major postharvest pathogens of fruits and vegetables, causing significant economic losses and posing serious threats to food safety through mycotoxin contamination. This review systematically summarizes the pathogenic mechanisms, metabolic diversity, and eco-friendly strategies of postharvest Penicillium pathogens. The application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has enabled precise functional analysis of pathogenicity-related genes (e.g., PacC, PeStuA) and regulatory elements involved in fungicide resistance (e.g., FlbC). RNA interference-based strategies, including host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS), offer promising non-transgenic approaches for disease control. Additionally, artificial intelligence-assisted species identification and fermentation regulation have improved research efficiency. Future integration of multidisciplinary technologies will facilitate sustainable management of postharvest diseases. Full article

Cecina de León is a traditional Spanish dry-cured beef product whose surface, as in other similar meat products, becomes heavily colonised by fungi during ripening, raising concerns related to possible mycotoxin contamination. This study aimed to characterise the mycobiota associated with cecina and its production environment, with particular emphasis on mycotoxigenic Penicillium species. Seventy-eight cecina samples and 26 air samples were collected from meat-processing plants and local markets in the province of León (Spain) and analysed for fungal counts, water activity and pH. A total of 101 mould isolates and 16 yeasts were recovered, with Penicillium accounting for 88% of all moulds. Sixteen Penicillium species were identified using a polyphasic approach integrating macro- and micromorphological analysis, extrolite production, molecular markers (BenA, CaM and ITS), and MALDI-TOF MS. Mycotoxin screening by HPTLC and HPLC-PAD targeted cyclopiazonic acid, ochratoxin A, patulin, citrinin, griseofulvin and mycophenolic acid, revealing that 51% of the Penicillium isolates were mycotoxin producers, mainly P. commune. The proposed polyphasic strategy, including MALDI-TOF MS as a rapid complementary tool, offers a practical framework for the surveillance of fungal communities and mycotoxin risk in meat-processing environments. Full article

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common contaminant found in swine diets, causing decreased growth performance and poor health. Additionally, F18 enterotoxigenic E. coli is a leading cause of post-weaning diarrhea. Nursery pigs are often exposed to each of them after weaning; however, it is unknown what impact the combination of these stressors has on gastrointestinal health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-exposure to DON on the response of intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) to challenge with enterotoxigenic F18 E. coli. Four groups were compared: Control (untreated cells), DON (cells treated with 0.5 μM DON for 24 h), F18 E. coli (multiplicity of infection 5:1, varied duration) and DON + E. coli (DON treatment with subsequent E. coli infection). Gene expression of IL-8, IL-6 and TNFα was significantly increased in cells infected with E. coli for 3 h vs. uninfected cells (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). There was an interactive effect between DON and E. coli on IL-8 gene expression; cells pretreated with DON before E. coli infection had a higher expression of IL-8 than those not pretreated (p < 0.05). The concentration of IL-8 protein was significantly increased by E. coli (p < 0.0001). Claudin 1 and Occludin protein abundance were reduced by E. coli as measured by Western blot. Cytotoxicity was increased by E. coli vs. Control (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with DON increased the amount of E. coli that adhered to IPEC-J2 cells (p < 0.01) 30 min post-infection. FITC-dextran passage was increased in the DON + E. coli treatment vs. E. coli alone (p < 0.0001). Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was decreased by DON when compared to untreated cells at 0 h (p < 0.0001). Similarly, DON + E. coli exhibited lower TEER vs. E. coli alone at 2 h post-infection (p < 0.0001). Taken together, these results indicate that DON pre-exposure increased the severity of E. coli infection on endpoints such as barrier permeability and E. coli adhesion. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the preharvest application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), melatonin (MT), and oxalic acid (OA), at different concentrations and application frequencies, on the physicochemical and microbiological quality of dried figs (cv. Calabacita) at commercial harvest and after 3 and 6 months of refrigerated storage. A further aim was to determine their impact on fungal populations and mycotoxin production. The results showed that untreated dried figs had a higher frequency of Aspergillus welwitschiae, A. tubingensis, and Aspergillus section Flavi, whereas elicitor-treated figs exhibited a lower incidence of toxigenic fungi. A. welwitschiae was the main ochratoxin A (OTA)-associated species detected, although the proportion of OTA-positive figs was lower in elicitor-treated samples than in the control. Aflatoxins (AFs) were detected only sporadically in 2 mM OA treatments, consistent with the limited activity of A. flavus at low storage temperatures. Conversely, Penicillium spp. were widespread but were associated with citrinin (CIT) production only under 2 mM OA treatments. Among the Alternaria toxins, alternariol (AOH) was detected solely in dried figs treated with 1 mM OA. Notably, all investigated mycotoxins were below the limit of detection (<LOD) in dried figs treated with 0.5 mM MT. Moderate elicitor concentrations (e.g., 0.5 mM MT and 50 mM GABA) and multiple preharvest applications generally provided the best balance between fungal suppression and fruit quality, significantly reducing Aspergillus spp. occurrence without promoting the growth of undesirable species. Overall, elicitor treatments decreased the incidence of toxigenic fungi, most likely through direct antifungal effects in senescent dried fruit rather than by inducing host defences. The combined use of preharvest elicitors with appropriate drying and storage conditions is a promising strategy to control fungal contamination and mycotoxin accumulation in dried figs while maintaining quality from preharvest storage. Further research is needed to optimise elicitor concentrations and application timing. Full article

Biological control agents (BCAs) have emerged as a key strategy to mitigate maize diseases while reducing dependence on synthetic agrochemicals, which pose risks to human health, ecosystems, and microbial diversity. This review synthesizes advances from 63 research articles published between 2020 and 2025, selected through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach to capture studies with in vitro, greenhouse, or field validation. The analysis highlights major fungal and bacterial threats to maize production and evaluates BCAs, including Bacillus, Trichoderma, Streptomyces, and entomopathogenic or endophytic microorganisms, tested across multiple experimental levels. Results show that many agents demonstrate strong antagonism under controlled conditions, promoting plant growth, reducing pathogen incidence, and lowering mycotoxin contamination. Field trials, however, reveal inconsistent performance due to environmental variability, formulation instability, and incomplete understanding of strain-specific mechanisms. Emerging approaches such as microbial consortia, metabolite-based biocontrol, biochar–microbe combinations, and evaluations under dual-stress conditions offer promising avenues to improve reliability and expand applicability. Overall, the review underscores that although microbial biocontrol holds substantial potential for sustainable maize protection, progress toward scalable implementation requires integrating omics-based characterization, optimized formulations, genotype-specific evaluations, and multi-season field trials to bridge the gap between laboratory efficacy and field performance. Full article

Fusarium is a diverse genus of filamentous fungi that has long been recognized for its importance in plant disease and food security. Beyond its agricultural impact, a growing number of studies now show that Fusarium species can also act as opportunistic pathogens in animals and humans. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Fusarium biology by integrating perspectives from plant pathology, veterinary science, and medical mycology. We examine how shared virulence mechanisms, environmental reservoirs, and genomic plasticity—including accessory chromosomes and horizontal gene transfer—facilitate adaptation across plant, animal, and human hosts. We also consider the role of environmental change in shaping the distribution and pathogenic potential of this genus. By bringing together evidence that is often scattered across disciplines, this review emphasizes the need to move beyond host-specific views and highlights Fusarium as a useful model for understanding fungal adaptability and cross-kingdom pathogenicity within a One Health framework. Full article

Although microbial communities in rice agroecosystems regulate nitrogen transformations, methane dynamics, crop residue decomposition, and pathogen suppression, their integration into agronomic decision-making remains limited. Existing rice microbiome reviews largely describe taxonomic diversity without critically linking microbial processes to management trade-offs, greenhouse gas mitigation, and productivity outcomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge through a process-based and management-oriented framework, emphasizing how water and crop residue management, fertilization, tillage, and genotype selection shape microbial functionality rather than merely community composition. Advances in stable isotope probing (SIP), metatranscriptomics, and multi-omics have improved functional inference, yet a persistent gap remains between genetic potential and in situ process rates. By integrating microbiome science within a One Health perspective, we propose a conceptual framework linking microbial network structure to interconnected dimensions of ecosystem, plant, and human health. This framework addresses not only agronomic outcomes but also food safety concerns, including mycotoxin contamination by fungal pathogens, microbial contributions to nutritional quality, and pathways through which soil and plant microbiomes influence human health via the food chain. We critically examine how microbiome management can simultaneously target productivity, environmental sustainability, and health risk mitigation. We identify priority research needs in predictive microbial ecology, activity-based validation, and microbiome-informed management strategies. Rather than framing microbiomes as a universal solution to global food security, this review critically examines their realistic and context-dependent contribution to improving sustainability, resilience, and resource-use efficiency in rice production under climatic and environmental constraints, while safeguarding food safety and public health. Full article

Matrix effects (ME) during LC-ESI-MS analysis are a commonly acknowledged issue for a variety of matrices and analytes. Although sample preparation techniques are steadily evolving to reduce ME, the complexity and variability of the urine matrix remain a challenge, especially for multi-analyte methods. To investigate the extent of ME implications on method performance and quantification, we used stable isotope-labelled standards (SIL-IS) of 11 mycotoxins to evaluate the magnitude and variability of ME in urine samples from two cohorts: Bangladeshi adult women (n = 50) and Swedish children of both sexes (n = 340). Significant ME differences were observed between the two cohorts for eight of the 11 mycotoxins. Additionally, intra-cohort ME variability turned out to be very high with interquartile ranges (IQR) above 15% for 14 out of 22 analyte-cohort combinations. Maximum IQR values were observed for sterigmatocystin in the Bangladeshi cohort (318%), strongly impacting quantitative results obtained with matrix(-matched) calibration. Further experiments on a small German cohort of four subjects, each providing four to five urine samples, revealed high variability of ME within each individual. Factors influencing ME were investigated, showing little to no impact of sex and a moderate impact of age for some analytes in the Swedish cohort. Nonetheless, especially the more polar analytes, showing stronger signal suppression, demonstrated clear correlation of ME with density and creatinine concentration of the urine samples. As a result, urine samples with very high or low density or creatinine values require careful handling in regard to sensitivity or quantification errors when matrix(-matched) calibration without SIL-IS is applied. Full article

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species, contaminates food and feed globally, posing serious threats to both livestock and human health. Among current detoxification strategies, probiotic-based degradation of OTA has emerged as a key research focus. This study aimed to isolate safe probiotic strains with high OTA-detoxifying efficacy to support their potential application in feed and food industries. A total of 57 bacterial strains were isolated from environmental samples, including soil, moldy feed, and animal feces. Among these, a novel strain identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MM28 demonstrated strong OTA-degrading activity, removing 86.31% of OTA (0.4 µg/mL) within 48 h. Whole-genome analysis indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens MM28 harbors functional genes related to glucose metabolism, membrane transport, and properties associated with antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, suggesting multiple beneficial traits. In a 28-day chronic exposure study, mice were administered B. amyloliquefaciens MM28 via gavage (1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL). Results showed that both female and male mice in the MM28 group exhibited higher body weight and improved growth performance compared to the PBS control group. Furthermore, intestinal morphology was enhanced in the MM28 group, as indicated by greater villus length and villus-length-to-crypt-depth ratio. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines was also reduced in the treated animals. Moreover, analysis of gut microbiota composition revealed that MM28 supplementation led to an increased abundance of Bacteroides and Desulfovibrio, alongside a reduction in Lachnospira and Oscillospira. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MM28 is a safe and efficient strain capable of degrading OTA. These findings highlight its promising potential as a biological detoxifying agent in food and feed industries. Full article

Forty heritage common wheat varieties were cultivated in four experimental fields over two consecutive years, to evaluate their susceptibility to Fusarium and Alternaria fungi and the associated mycotoxins. Marked differences in meteorological conditions between the two years (2023 and 2024) significantly influenced mycotoxin occurrence and impact. Overall, heritage varieties exhibited mycotoxin contamination comparable to those reported for modern wheat cultivars grown in nearby areas; interestingly, an opposite trend was observed among trichothecenes and Alternaria toxins. Comparing the varieties with each other, very different contamination levels for both mycotoxin groups were observed; some varieties were consistently susceptible across both years, others only in 2024, likely due to frequent precipitations. However, four varieties consistently displayed low levels of both deoxynivalenol and Alternaria toxins. Weak correlations among DON and alkylresorcinol ratios were found, showing that, considering only these heritage wheat varieties, alkylresorcinol content could not always predict the susceptibility to mycotoxin contamination. Full article

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum, is a fungal disease that severely affects wheat. The mycotoxins it produces, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), pose serious risks to human and animal health. In this study, a biocontrol strain, LYH8, was isolated from local sources in Jingzhou, Hubei Province. Plate confrontation assays demonstrated that LYH8 effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of F. graminearum, with an inhibition rate of 43%, and induced morphological abnormalities such as hyphal swelling and shrinkage. Based on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, LYH8 was identified as Bacillus velezensis. In vivo experiments showed that disease severity in wheat coleoptiles and spikes was significantly reduced by treatment with LYH8 by 75–85%, and the accumulation of DON and its deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G) in grains was decreased by 20–22%. Further transcriptome analysis revealed that it affects pathogen growth by regulating amino acid biosynthesis, ribosomal biosynthesis, carbon metabolism pathways, and the catalytic activities of related genes. In summary, LYH8 significantly controlled FHB through multiple mechanisms, including inhibiting mycelial growth, reducing infection, and blocking toxin synthesis, demonstrating strong biocontrol potential. Full article

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae (BSFL) represent a sustainable protein source for animal feed, efficiently converting organic waste into high-value biomass. This study aimed to valorize agricultural by-products (apple, potato, and red beetroot peels) as rearing substrates to obtain larvae enriched with bioactive phenolic compounds, while evaluating their nutritional, functional, and safety characteristics. Larvae were reared on diets with varying inclusion levels of each peel’s by-products. Proximate analysis showed that the substrate type and inclusion level significantly (p < 0.05) influenced larval composition, with consistently high protein and variable ash and fat contents. Colorimetric measurements indicated that phenolic-rich diets, particularly apple by-products, promoted cuticle darkening, reflecting the impact of dietary phenols on pigmentation. Functional properties were also modulated by the substrates: 2% potato peel yielded the highest phenolic content, while 20% apple peel produced the highest flavonoid concentration, both enhancing antioxidant capacity across CUPRAC-Cupric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Capacity, ABTS-2,2′-azino-bis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, and DPPH-1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assays. Rheological analysis confirmed desirable non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behavior, suggesting improved technological quality. Mycotoxin testing revealed low Aflatoxin B1 but variable Zearalenone levels, highlighting the influence of substrate composition on toxin metabolism. Overall, agricultural by-products can produce enriched BSFL with enhanced nutritional and antioxidant properties, as long as the substrate choice and inclusion levels are carefully optimized for safety. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination of grains during storage and transportation represents a significant threat to global food security. Conventional detection methods exhibit limitations in terms of real-time monitoring. This study presents a compact smart gas sensing system for mycotoxins, facilitating non-destructive testing of corn infected with fungi by analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during fungal growth. It also facilitates the precise quantitative detection of Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). Additionally, a dual-branch convolutional neural network (DB-CNN) model has been developed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the temporal and spatial characteristics of VOCs signals. The system achieves 100% accuracy in identifying grains (corn, peanuts, wheat, and rice) infected with Fusarium graminearum and Aspergillus flavus by extracting the characteristic fingerprint spectra of fungal VOCs. In the quantitative analysis, the DB-CNN exhibits good performance (RMSE = 1.0292 μg/kg, R² = 0.9994). In addition, the designed detection system supports wireless transmission and can be connected to a smartphone for data transfer, thereby facilitating data storage and remote monitoring. The entire detection process is completed within 4 min. This study provides an innovative technical foundation for dynamic real-time monitoring of fungal contamination in the food supply chain, contributing to early warning systems and quality control measures. Full article

The widespread occurrence of emerging mycotoxins (EMs) produced by Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium species has raised increasing concerns regarding food and feed safety. Mitigation strategies currently applied to control regulated mycotoxins in feed may also be effective in reducing contamination by EMs. This study comparatively evaluated the in vitro adsorption efficacy of two leonardites, eight natural smectites, and two modified clays (organoclays) against EMs produced by Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium spp. All materials were tested at two inclusion levels (0.1 and 0.5% w/v) under two pH conditions (pH 3 and 7), simulating the gastrointestinal environment of monogastric animals. Adsorption performance was strongly influenced by mycotoxin chemistry, adsorbent type, inclusion rate, and medium pH. Organoclays exhibited the highest and most consistent efficacy, achieving near-complete adsorption of beauvericin (BEA) and enniatins (ENNs) (>98–100%) at 0.1% (w/v), as well as high removal of mycophenolic acid (MYC. A.) and citrinin (CIT) (>90%) across both pH conditions. Natural smectites showed high but more selective adsorption, removing >90% of BEA and ENNs at low inclusion rates, while displaying limited efficacy toward fusaric acid (FA) and patulin (PAT). Leonardites demonstrated intermediate and material-dependent performance; leonardite L1 adsorbed approximately 90% of BEA at 0.1% (w/v), whereas ENN adsorption ranged from ~36% to 80% at the same inclusion rate and exceeded 90% only at higher dosages. None of the tested materials effectively adsorbed patulin (PAT) at pH 7; however, at pH 3, four smectites exhibited partial adsorption, and one trioctahedral smectite achieved more than 90% PAT adsorption under acidic conditions. Overall, organoclays displayed the broadest adsorption spectrum across structurally diverse mycotoxins, while smectites exhibited high selectivity driven by surface charge density and interlayer interactions. Leonardite-based materials showed moderate but highly variable adsorption performance, likely influenced by heterogeneity in humic functional groups and physicochemical properties. These findings highlight the need for tailored adsorbent selection or combined mitigation strategies to achieve effective mycotoxin control in the animal feed industry. Full article

Cellular senescence (CSEN) is caused by a variety of factors that trigger complex molecular pathways. These include telomere shortening, oncogene activation and replicative stress, as well as DNA damage caused by genotoxic anticancer drugs and endogenous and exogenous genotoxins. Here, we review the induction of CSEN by exogenous genotoxic insults resulting from food and environmental exposures. The available data show that genotoxins/carcinogens in tobacco smoke and smokeless tobacco, in the environment, in food, beverages and life-style products induce CNS. The exposures include N-nitroso compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines, acrylamide, heavy metals, fine dust, mycotoxins, phytotoxins, and phycotoxins. Also, heme in red meat contributes to CSEN as it catalyzes the formation of genotoxic species in the colon. Induction of CSEN by external genotoxins/carcinogens is bound on the DNA damage response pathway (DDR), which relies on activation of the ATM/ATR-CHK2/CHK1-p53-p21 axis and the p53-independent p16/p14 axis, eliciting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition and permanent cell cycle arrest. Other factors that can be involved are DREAM, MAPK, cGAS/Sting, and NF-κB. The accumulation of non-repaired DNA damage triggering CSEN following external genotoxic exposures may contribute significantly to the amelioration of senescent cells and organ failure with age in humans. Senescent cells drive, via the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), inflammation that is involved in many diseases, including cancer. Although most of the studies were performed with in vitro cell systems, the consequences of CSEN induction by genotoxic nutritional components and environmental exposures seem to be underestimated. Since CSEN correlates with aging, it is reasonable to conclude that exogenous genotoxic pollutants contribute significantly to the aging process through CSEN induction. In light of these findings, it is deduced that reducing genotoxin exposures and using “rejuvenation” supplements (senotherapeutics) are reasonable strategies to counteract cellular senescence and the aging process. Full article