Abstract
ABSTRACT Sterigmatocystin (STC) is a possible human carcinogen (2B) according to International Agency for Research on Cancer classification and has been associated with immunotoxic and immunomodulatory activity, together with mutagenic effects. It might be found in numerous substrates, from foods and feeds to chronically damp building materials and indoor dust. Although European Food Safety Authority concluded that the exposure to STC to be of low concern for public health, reinforces the need of data concerning exposure of European citizens. Climate change can represent an increased risk of exposure to STC since it is a crucial factor for agro-ecosystem powering fungal colonisation and mycotoxin production This aspect can represent an increased risk for European countries with temperate climates and it was already reported by the scientific community.
Highlights
Food and feed can be contaminated with a mixture of mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungal species
Inoculated onto Dichloran chloramphenicol peptone agar (DCPA); incubated at 25°C for 5–7 days; conidial suspensions inoculated onto Czapek Yeast Extract Agar (CYA), Czapek Yeast Extract Agar CY20S and Malt extract agar (MEA), and incubated in the dark at 25°C for 7–14 days
Inoculated onto Dichloran chloramphenicol peptone agar (DCPA); 5–7 days of incubation at 25°C Inoculated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) ; incubated at 25°C in dark for 7 days
Summary
Food and feed can be contaminated with a mixture of mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungal species. Other aspects can influence the profile and levels of the mycotoxins present, namely, industrial processes involved and, after being acquired, household preparation process (Nijs et al 2016). We should consider that mycotoxins are extremely difficult to eliminate from food even after the cooking process because they are quite stable molecules. All this explains why mycotoxins can be present in the food or environment long after death and disintegration of the toxic fungus (Peraica et al 1999; Halstensen 2008; Alborch et al 2011; Viegas et al 2015)
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