Structures of Reaction Products and Degradation Pathways of Aflatoxin B1 by Ultrasound Treatment.

Yuanfang Liu,Yuanxiao Liu,Mengmeng Li,Ke Bian

doi:10.3390/toxins11090526

Abstract

Ultrasound is an emerging decontamination technology with potential use in the global food processing industry. In the present study, we explored power ultrasound for processing aqueous aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). AFB1 was degraded by 85.1% after 80 min of ultrasound exposure. The reaction products of AFB1 were identified and their molecular formulae elucidated by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Eight main reaction products were found, and their structures were clarified by parental ion fragmentation. Two degradation pathways were proposed according to the degradation product structures: One involved the addition of H• and OH• radicals, whereas the other involved H2O2 epoxidation and H•, OH•, and H2O2 oxidation of AFB1. Ultrasound treatment significantly reduced AFB1 bioactivity and toxicity by disrupting the C8=C9 double bond in the furan ring and modifying the lactone ring and methoxy group.

Highlights

IntroductionThey are secondary metabolites of Aspergillus flavus that can reduce food quality [1] and have adverse health effects [2,3]
The goals of this study were to identify the molecular structures of the reaction products of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), elucidate the decomposition mechanisms and reaction pathways of AFB1, and determine the particular factors that lead to AFB1 degradation
Chromatography/mass spectrometry data for AFB1 before and after ultrasound treatment were collected by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap MS–MS)

Summary

Introduction

They are secondary metabolites of Aspergillus flavus that can reduce food quality [1] and have adverse health effects [2,3]. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ) is the strongest teratogen, mutagen, and hepatocarcinogen known. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has rated AFB1 as a class 1 carcinogen [4]. AFB1 is distributed mainly in maize, peanut, rice, wheat, and other crops, as well as in their oil-based by-products. Small quantities of AFB1 are found in dairy products and condiments [5]

Objectives

Methods

Results