Aflatoxin B1 Concentration Research Articles

SERS aptasensor detection of aflatoxin B1 based on silicon-au-ag Janus nanocomposites

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent contaminant in maize, posing significant threats to human health. This study designed AuAg Janus NPs with intrinsic Raman signals as signal probes and SiO2@AgNPs as capture probes. The two were coupled through complementary base pairing to ensure the ordered, controlled distribution of noble metal nanoparticles. The AuAg Janus NPs and the highly stable SiO2 carrier is expected to avoid the adverse effects on stability caused by using signal molecules and the formation of random aggregates when using the noble metal nanoparticle gap effect to concentrate on the electromagnetic field. This study improved the negative impact of AgNPs' high surface energy on their uniformity, while enhancing the pH adaptability of AuAg Janus NPs. In the presence of AFB1, the composite disintegrates, and the SERS intensity showed a negative correlation with AFB1 concentration, enabling highly sensitive and stable detection of AFB1.

A label-free colorimetric aptasensor for sensitive detection of aflatoxin B1 in peanuts based on dual catalytic hairpin assembly

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is considered one of the most toxic and carcinogenic substances. Developing sensitive and accurate methods for detecting AFB1 in foodstuffs remains a major challenge. Herein, a label-free colorimetric aptasensor was constructed for the detection of AFB1 in peanuts, utilizing dual catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) for signal amplification. Where, the recognition of AFB1 by its aptamer (Apta) induces the formation of an Apta-AFB1 complex, causing the trigger chain (T) to release from the Apta-T complex. The released T triggers the first CHA reaction in the presence of hairpins H1, H2, and H3, producing H1-H2-H3 complexes. Each sticky end of these complexes serves as the initiating strand for the second CHA cycle, exposing a G-rich sequence from H5 that induces the formation of a G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme. This DNAzyme catalyzes the H2O2-mediated oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), resulting in a color change. Under optimal conditions, the colorimetric signal is linearly related to the logarithm of AFB1 concentration in the range of 50 pM to 1.1 nM, with a detection limit of 13.49 pM. The spiked recoveries for AFB1 in peanuts range from 95.28 % to 104.50 %. This aptasensor provides a sensitive and accurate method for detecting trace amounts of AFB1, which is crucial for ensuring food safety.

The Effective Sorting Technologies for Reducing Aflatoxins in Nuts and Dried Figs in Turkey

Background: RASFF notifications serve to determine the hazards responsible for food and feed. In case of determining risks to human health, the information provided to member countries via the rapid alarm system at the same time warned us to take the necessary measures. Objectives: In this research, the RASFF portal alerts over the last three years related to aflatoxins in hazelnut, fig, and peanut products were examined. The impact of image processing technologies on lowering the danger of aflatoxins in shelled hazelnuts and dried figs was also investigated, as well as Critical Control Points (CCPs) on aflatoxin hazard. Methods: The RASFF database was used in the RASFF Window portal and analyzed for aflatoxin alerts. ISO 22000:2018 was used for hazard and risk analysis for raw hazelnut, peanut, and fig products. Aflatoxin analyses were performed according to the AOAC 2000/991.31 method. Prior to and after hazelnut sorting methods, levels of aflatoxin were measured. Besides, aflatoxin contamination in peanuts harvesting in 2023 years from three local producers in Turkey was studied. Results: The number of RASFF notifications for hazelnuts, peanuts/groundnuts, dried figs, and their products for the period of 03/01/2020 to 01/06/2023 were 84, 283 and 173, respectively. As a result of HACCP implementation, especially for aflatoxin hazard management, optical-laser-manual sorting and aflatoxin detection using UV light stages are accepted as CCPs. When nuts were sorted using optical and laser systems were detected decreasing total aflatoxin levels. The mean value of Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) and total aflatoxins were reduced from 7.80±1.08 and 13.56±1.06 to 3.63±0.39 and 7.21±0.71, respectively. 79.16% of all sorted samples were found to comply with legal limits. Investigated peanut samples for aflatoxin B1 contents were found between 5.63 and 27.75 µg kg-1 in 19.5%. Conclusion: The alerts based on aflatoxin contamination above legal limits have been carried on for nuts and dried figs. The physical sorting methods using optical selection and high-resolution laser sensor systems aflatoxin-contaminated nuts from healthy nuts applied for in-shell Turkish nut sorting were able to assess the quality of the batch studied, and the systems were assigned significantly effective to reduce aflatoxin contents. Food business operators in Turkey, which is among the countries exporting agricultural and food products to the European Union (EU), have tended to prefer the most advanced technologies. Efficacies of reduction of aflatoxin by different physical and other (such as imaging, X-ray and acoustic, audio signals and hyperspectral images of moldy natural nuts etc.) methods will be developed in the near future.

The concentration and prevalence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in imported rice (Oryza sativa) samples from Iranian market: a probabilistic dietary risk assessment

ABSTRACT This investigation aimed to measure the concentrations of total aflatoxin (AFT), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), and ochratoxin A (OTA) in imported rice samples to Iran and conduct a probabilistic health risk assessment for consumers. Three thousand seven hundred fifty-one imported rice samples were randomly collected from March 2022 to April 2024. The AFT, AFB1, and OTA concentrations were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a flame ionisation detector (HPLC-FID) and an ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). The ranking of mycotoxins based on mean concentration in rice was as follows: AFT (3.996 ± 6.925 µg/kg) > AFB1 (2.648 ± 5.746 µg/kg) > OTA (0.088 ± 0.847 µg/kg). The prevalence of these mycotoxins was found to be AFT present in 897 out of 3,710 samples (24.18%), AFB1 in 657 samples (17.52%), and OTA in 40 samples (1.07%). Significant correlations were observed between AFT and AFB1 (C: 0.96, p-value < 0.001), AFT and OTA (C: 0.28, p-value < 0.001), and AFB1 and OTA (C: 0.15, p-value < 0.001). The 95th percentile of the Margin of Exposure (MOE) for AFB1 in adult and child consumers was 0.930 and 0.270, respectively, while the Hazard Quotient (HQ) for OTA in adults and children was 0.030 and 0.100, respectively. The estimated cancer risk percentages for AFB1 in rice were 22.220 for adults and 43.500 for children. Overall, consuming imported rice containing AFT, AFB1, and OTA does not pose a significant non-carcinogenic risk to consumers’ health. However, the carcinogenic risk in Iran is higher than in other countries. Therefore, it is recommended that more effective and continuous monitoring programmes be implemented to ensure the quality of imported rice.

Effects Of Aflatoxin B1-Contaminated Diets On Growth Performance, Haematological, And Physiological Health In Broilers

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in poultry feed significantly threatens broiler health and performance. This study investigated the effects of different levels of AFB1 (0%, 25%, 35%, 45%, and 55%) on growth performance and hematological parameters in broiler diets. The experiment was structured as a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatment groups, each having three replicates: Group A (0.025 ppm AFB1), Group B (0.035 ppm AFB1), Group C (0.045 ppm AFB1), Group D (0.055 ppm AFB1), and Group E (Control, 0% AFB1). Weekly measurements included body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth rate (GR), total feed intake (TFI), and hematological indices (HMI). Body weight was recorded weekly, feed intake was tracked daily, and FCR was calculated by dividing total feed intake by total weight gain. Blood samples were taken at weeks 5 and 10 for hematological analysis using the haemacytometer method. Broilers fed diets containing higher concentrations of AFB1 showed marked reductions in final body weight, with birds on the control diet (0% AFB1) gaining the most weight (1.69 kg), compared to 1.24 kg, 1.10 kg, 0.92 kg, and 0.76 kg for the 25%, 35%, 45%, and 55% AFB1 groups, respectively. Feed intake also significantly decreased (p&lt;0.05) from 19.38 kg (Control) to 9.55 kg (TA) as AFB1 levels increased. Hematological analysis revealed significant decreases (p&lt;0.01) in hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), and red blood cell (RBC) counts in birds fed higher AFB1 concentrations. Birds on the control diet had the highest Hb (12.48 g/dl), PCV (24.73%), and RBC counts (10.34 × 10⁶/ul), while the 55% AFB1 group showed the lowest values. No significant changes were observed in white blood cell (WBC) counts (p&gt;0.05), indicating a less pronounced impact on the immune system. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of AFB1 on broiler growth and blood health, emphasizing the need for stringent aflatoxin control in poultry feed to ensure healthy broiler production.

Recovery of AFB1 intrinsic fluorescence in vegetable oils with continuous variations in matrices by theoretical analysis and experiments

The fluorescence characteristics of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) have enabled the development of an effective and non-destructive screening method for AFB1 in agro-products using fluorescence spectroscopy. However, the complex and varied matrices present in most foodstuffs can significantly distort the intrinsic fluorescence of AFB1. In this study, the absorption and scattering properties of vegetable oils were obtained using double integrating spheres (DIS), and fluorescence intensity was obtained using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique. A six-parameter analytical model has been developed to recover AFB1 intrinsic fluorescence based on the absorption and scattering features at excitation (375 nm) and emission (424 nm) wavelengths employing a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). Prediction models for AFB1 concentration in vegetable oils with gradient variations of matrices were calibrated using the disturbed and recovered intrinsic fluorescence intensity, respectively. The models were validated and compared to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method.

A preliminary study on the degradation of AFB1 by Tenebrio molitor, Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei

Abstract Recently, genus Aspergillus, a fungus capable of producing aflatoxins, secondary highly toxic metabolites, has spread to new areas. These areas became suitable habitats due to the recent climate changes. The use of aflatoxin-contaminated crops is a cause of great concern in guaranteeing food safety and is responsible for major economic losses along the supply chain. For this reason, several strategies have been investigated to utilize these contaminated products as a possible food or feed resource by reducing or eliminating their aflatoxin content, but with limited relevant success. The presented study was aimed to evaluate a combination of biological processes to use aflatoxin B1 contaminated crops for their reintroduction into the production chain. The high tolerance to AFB1 and the apparent lack of accumulation in yellow mealworm larvae, reared on wheat bran substrates, spiked with increasing AFB1 concentration (0, 125, 250, 500 μg/kg) to obtain proteins of high biological value. Subsequently, the aflatoxin-degrading capacity of Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei was applied to insect breeding waste (frass) in a fermentation process to ensure further utilization of biohazardous frass as soil conditioner. Individually, each process proven to be able to reduce the AFB1 present by about 80%, while the combination of the two approaches ensured the total degradation of aflatoxin B1-contaminated substrate and frass, which resulted in the possible production of biomass, that could be used for the feed and agricultural industry.

AFB1-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for AFB1 quantification based on aptamer-regulated release of SERS reporter

In this study, we propose a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method for quantifying aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This method relies on the target-triggered release of a SERS reporter from aptamer-sealed aminated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). These MSNs were synthesized to accommodate 4-mercaptophenylboronic acid (4-MPBA) within their well-defined micropores, which were subsequently sealed with AFB1 aptamers. Upon specific binding of AFB1 to its aptamer, the conformational change in the aptamer is regulated by the presence of the target. Consequently, a positive linear relationship between the AFB1 concentration and the 4-MPBA SERS signal was observed. Under optimal conditions, the method exhibited a good linear relationship over the range of 0.1 to 5 ng/mL AFB1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 ng/mL. This strategy was validated using wheat samples, yielding results comparable to high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (P > 0.05), confirming its reliability for detecting AFB1 in complex food matrices.

Graphene coated optical microfiber for aflatoxin B1 detection

We proposed a graphene coated microfiber-based sensor for enhancing Aflatoxin B1 detection at room temperature. The heat-and-pull technique was used to fabricate the microfiber while the graphene layer was coated using a drop-casting technique. Aflatoxin samples are used as a sensor sensing area soaking solution, whereby the prepared graphene-coated microfiber was used as a sensor probe. The sensing is based on the modulation of transmission intensity and wavelength shift induced by the alteration of concentration of aflatoxin B1 from 0 ppm to 10 ppm. There is an increase in sensitivity from 0.129 dBm/ppm to 0.187 dBm/ppm and an increase in resolution from 0.17 ppm to 0.037 ppm by coating graphene on the microfiber sensor. For the graphene coated microfiber-based sensor, the wavelength shift from 1525.37 nm to 1525.19 nm was obtained when the aflatoxin B1 concentration was increased from 0 to 10 ppm. It reveals a sensitivity of 0.018 nm/ppm with a linearity of more than 90 %. This finding shows that the proposed sensor can be used to detect various concentration of Aflatoxin sample with the ability to offer real time measurement.

Integrated multi-omics approach and pathological analyses provide new insights into the hepatic injury and metabolic alterations in Saanen goats after dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1

Exploring the toxicity and metabolic mechanisms of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in ruminants can help to develop strategies to prevent or reduce the transfer of the toxin and its metabolites to milk and meat. This study aimed to explore the effects of 3 concentrations of dietary AFB1 (0, 50, and 500 μg/kg) on hepatic injury and metabolism in Saanen goats via histological examination, Western blot analysis, as well as integrated multi-omics techniques. Eighteen Saanen goats were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments and the AFB1 challenge lasted for 14 d. Results showed that the liver tissue was enlarged and the relative organ index of the liver was linearly increased with elevated AFB1 levels. The hepatocyte apoptosis rate was significantly increased after AFB1 exposure and the Western blotting results revealed that both the external apoptotic pathway and mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway might be involved in AFB1-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. There were 251, 269, 154 significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 340, 596, 127 significant differential metabolites for the control (C; 0 μg/kg) and low-dose (L; 50 μg/kg), C and high-dose (H; 500 μg/kg), L and H comparisons. The DEGs annotated were mainly involved in the cell part, cell, single-organism process, cellular process, binding, and other functional categories. The identified metabolites primarily belonged to glycerophospholipids, prenol lipids, carboxylic acids and derivatives. Integrative analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed that glycerophospholipids metabolism and choline metabolism in cancer were the most affected pathways related to AFB1 exposure. The identified differential metabolites, DEGs, and pathways might have played a crucial role in the hepatic injury induced by AFB1 in goats.

Laser-induced CdS/TiO2/graphene dual photoanodes for ratiometric self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor: an innovative approach for aflatoxin B1 detection.

A ratiometric self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor based on laser direct writing technology was constructed to address the problem that the conventional single-signal detection mode was susceptible to the influence of instrumentation and environmental factors, which interfered with the detection results. Laser-induced CdS/TiO2/Graphene was prepared as dual photoanodes (PA1 and PA2), which were controlled by multiplexed switches to form a photocatalytic fuel cell with Pt cathode. By modifying the aptamer of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the photoanode surface, the target was specifically captured to the electrode surface to form a biological complex, which increased the steric hindrance and affected the electron transfer, thus reducing the output signal of the sensor. Targets with different concentrations were incubated on the surface of PA1, and targets with fixed concentrations were incubated on the surface of PA2. Under the control of the multiplex switch, the output signals of the two photoanodes were recorded, and the ratio of these two signals was used as the basis for the quantitative detection of AFB1. The sensor output was linearly increasing with the logarithm of AFB1 concentration from 1.0 to 150ngmL-1 and the detection limit was 0.0974ngmL-1. Additionally, this method had good stability, fast response, and good selectivity to real samples, providing an effective method for food safety monitoring.

The effect of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma treatment on the reduction of aflatoxin B1 and the physicochemical properties of oat

Cold plasma is an emerging technology that has increased in demand because of consumers’ desire for fresh, safe and minimally processed food products. Aflatoxin B1 is one of the main mycotoxins that is usually found in cereals, especially oats. This study was conducted to determine the effect of DBD cold plasma on aflatoxin B1 and the physicochemical characteristics of oats. Whole oat grains were subjected to DBD plasma treatment for 1, 3, and 6 min at powers of 32, 37, and 42 W. Untreated samples were also evaluated as controls. The results showed that DBD treatment had the greatest reduction in 6 min and power 37, which reduced AFB1 concentration by 82%. Furthermore, there was no significant difference for some qualitative parameters such as protein and pH compared with the control sample, whereas the peroxide value and β-glucan increased and alpha-tocopherol decreased. The farinograph test showed that the improvement in water absorption capacity, dough stability, dough development time, and the degree of softening decreased. In addition, the viscosity of treated sample was reduced compared with that of the control sample. This study showed that DBD plasma had an effective reduction in aflatoxin AFB1, and it also improved the technological properties.

First evidence on the occurrence of multi-mycotoxins and dietary risk exposure to AFB1 along the cassava value chain in Uganda

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of multiple mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, fumonisins B1, B2, ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and citrinin (CIT)) in cassava products and as assessed the potential risk of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure among cassava consumers. A total of 192 samples of cassava products (96 flour and 96 chips, each with 48 samples from farmer and 48 from wholesaler) were analysed using LC/MS–MS. All positive samples irrespective of their origin (flour or chips) exhibited AFB1 levels exceeding the EU regulatory threshold of 5 µg/kg. The sum of fumonisins (FB1 + FB2), ZEN, and DON were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cassava flour (14.3 µg/kg; 3.71 µg/kg; 25.1 µg/kg) compared to chips (6.54 µg/kg; 1.25 µg/kg; 0.25 µg/kg), respectively. Aflatoxins G2 was not detected in any of 192 samples. Cassava flour samples from farmers exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean concentrations of AFB1 (27.1 µg/kg), total aflatoxins (78.2 µg/kg), and ochratoxin A (79.6 µg/kg) in contrast to wholesalers, whose mean levels were notably lower at 8.91, 5.79 µg/kg, and 2.44 µg/kg, respectively, pointing the likely critical source of mycotoxin contamination. Cassava consumers in Northern Uganda are at a higher risk, with an estimated 2.06 cancer cases per 100,000 individuals per year compared to those in Eastern Uganda at 0.25. This study underscores the urgent need for interventions to manage aflatoxins in cassava flour, particularly at farm level in Northern Uganda. It accentuates a shift market to household-level sampling and the need for analytical methods targeting multiple mycotoxins.

Sanitary and Chemical Analysis of Drinking Water and Laboratory Control of the Content of Toxic Elements of Pesticides and Mycotoxins in Food Products

Relevance of the study: nutrition is the most important factor in maintaining health, normal growth and development of children and adolescents, preventing a number of diseases, maintaining high performance of the adult population, maintaining active longevity. Drinking water and food are necessary for the existence of humans and all life on Earth. Issues related to increasing responsibility for the effectiveness and objectivity of quality control of drinking water and food products are relevant in guaranteeing their safety for the health of consumers. Objectives of the study: to study the quality of drinking water and the efficiency of the water supply system in Osh in the period from 2020 to 2023; analysis of compliance of drinking water quality with sanitary and chemical standards; development of recommendations for improving the quality of water and the water supply system in Osh. Determination of toxic elements, pesticides and mycotoxins in food products, determination of physicochemical indicators and toxic elements in drinking water, pesticides and mycotoxins in food products was carried out in accordance with regulatory documents of GOST and the maximum permissible concentration. The test results showed the normal and permissible levels of pH, total iron, fluorides, hardness, dry residue, ammonia, nitrates, etc. in water, and the content of aflatoxin B1, the mass concentration of cadmium and lead, hexachlorane, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane in food products. For a more in-depth analysis, it is recommended to use additional data on climatic conditions, geological features of the region, as well as the demographic situation in Osh.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria inoculation on the aflatoxin B1 contamination and the diversity of yeast communities in Aspergillus flavus-contaminated experimental corn silage

AbstractThe present work aimed to study the yeast communities of whole crop corn silages (CS) that were previously contaminated with aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus (CSCA). In addition, the effect of lactic acid bacterium (LAB) inoculation on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) content, genotoxicity, yeast load, and diversity of yeast communities were also investigated. In A. flavus contaminated silages, after two months, the AFB1 content was 40% lower with LAB inoculation, also a lower level of genotoxicity was determined. The number of yeasts cultured from the initial mixture of chopped whole crop corn was 4.8 × 107 CFU g−1 wet mass, while only 2.4 × 106 CFU g−1 from the CSCA and 7.1 × 105 CFU g−1 from the LAB-inoculated CSCA could be cultured. Based on 144 randomly isolated strains, the yeast community of the initial mixture consisted of 8 species. In contrast, the yeast community of CSCA consisted only of 4 species determined by 132 randomly selected isolates. LAB-inoculated CSCA consisted also of 4 species based on 158 randomly isolated strains. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia kudriavzevii proved to be predominant in the CSCA, while S. cerevisiae and Meyerozyma guilliermondii were the most abundant in the LAB-inoculated CSCA. The species richness was also confirmed by alpha diversity values (1.827, 1.188, and 1.123 as Shannon's indices for CS, CSCA, and LAB-inoculated CSCA, respectively). In response to LAB inoculation, the species diversity decreased considerably.

Pathogen producing aflatoxin in contaminated sandwich: Identification and preservation

The toxicity of the contaminated powder contributed to toxic aflatoxins has been well-known in the literature. However, before this study, the specific fungal strain behind aflatoxin production remained unidentified. Our research aimed to isolate and identify fungi from the tainted sandwiches while also assessing the preservation of sandwiches in ambient conditions. The study pinpointed Aspergillus flavus as the fungus responsible for aflatoxin production. Analysis revealed that the sandwich samples contaminated with pure A. flavus exhibited a significant Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentration of 55.2 ± 0.21 ng/g, accompanied by a spore count of 2 × 106 Colony-Forming Unit (CFU)/g after ten days. In contrast, sandwich samples contaminated with the unspecified fungi displayed a lower AFB1 content of 16.21 ± 0.42 ng/g, with a spore count of 2.2 × 102 CFU/g after the same duration. In the prevention study, the efficacy of the ethanol spray method for inhibiting aflatoxin from A. flavus was investigated. Results demonstrated that a 70 % ethanol concentration at a ratio of 2.0 % total weight of the sandwich proved highly effective, significantly impeding fungal growth. This method extended the preservation time by sevenfold compared to the control. Importantly, tests at 2.0 % ethanol of the sandwich weight did not detect aflatoxin presence.

Antioxidative properties, phenolic compounds, and invitro protective efficacy of multi-herbal hydro-alcoholic extracts of ginger, turmeric, and thyme against the toxicity of aflatoxin B1 on mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cell line.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most potent toxic and carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolite, has frequently been reported in food/feed. Nowadays, herbal extracts are considered safe dietary additives to reduce the toxicity of such compounds. The protective capability of various combinations of hydro-alcoholic extracts (HAEs) of ginger, turmeric, and Shirazi thyme, against the toxicity of AFB1 on the RAW264.7 cell line was investigated. The RAW264.7 cells were exposed to six different concentrations of AFB1 (0.09, 0.18, 0.37, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 μg mL-1) for 48 h to determine the IC50 of AFB1. AFB1 was estimated to have an IC50 of 1.5 μg mL-1 for RAW264.7 cells. Then, the cells were simultaneously incubated with 1.5 μg mL-1 AFB1 and the HAEs for 24 h. The HAEs significantly reduced the toxicity of AFB1 in RAW264.7 cells. HAE of Shirazi thyme showed the highest amount of total phenol content (TPC) and the highest DPPH• activity. In addition, a combination of ginger, turmeric, and Shirazi thyme extract showed the highest antioxidant activity. Rutin, quercetin, and apigenin were the main phenolic components of ginger HAE. A significantly positive correlation was observed between TPC of hydro-alcoholic extract with ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) values. Consequently, the simultaneous consumption of such extracts is recommended to protect the cells against dietary toxins.

Exposure and knowledge on peanut aflatoxin B1 among urban consumer in Jakarta, Indonesia

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L), an important food in the Indonesian diet, has been reported to be contaminated with the carcinogenic Aflatoxin B1. However, research on consumer knowledge and exposure to AfB1 from peanuts in Indonesia is still limited. This study aimed to assess the exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) from peanuts consumed by urban Jakarta and their knowledge of aflatoxin risk. This observational study was cross-sectional in design, involving 192 randomly selected respondents. Peanut intake frequency was measured using a semi-quantitative FFQ instrument. Questionnaires were used to collect data regarding knowledge and income. The AfB1 content was analyzed by HPLC. Pearson Chi-Square test was used for analysis. The results showed that AfB1 contaminants were present in all samples. Respondents who frequently consumed high amounts of peanuts and processed products were exposed to AfB1 with a median of 22.55 ppb bb/day. There was no significant relationship between knowledge and AfB1 exposure (p= 0.874), age (p= 0.884), or income (p= 0.355). In conclusion, aflatoxin B1 exposure was still high in urban areas. There was no relationship between knowledge and exposure to AfB1 peanuts. Inter-sectoral strengthening of the empowerment and control of aflatoxin exposure is needed, as are economic and health impact studies related to AfB1 exposure.

Development of a Voltammetric Methodology Based on a Methacrylic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Modified Carbon-Paste Electrode for the Determination of Aflatoxin B1

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins found in food, necessitating the development of precise and reliable methodologies for its detection. In this study, a novel electrochemical sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) integrated with a carbon-paste electrode was developed for the voltammetric determination of AFB1. The innovative aspect of this work lies in the use of methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer, which enhances the sensor’s selectivity and binding affinity. The developed electrochemical sensor exhibited a linear response range from 20.8 to 80 ng/L, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.31 ng/L and a sensitivity of 19.83 µA (ng/L)−1 cm−2. The sensor demonstrated outstanding analytical performance, with reproducibility and repeatability yielding relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.24% and 1.41%, respectively. To validate the sensor’s practical applicability, its performance was tested in real samples of corn and wheat using the standard addition method. Samples were prepared following official Mexican standard methods. Detected AFB1 concentrations were 0.0147 μg/L and 0.0138 μg/L for corn and wheat, respectively. A statistical comparison using the Student’s t-test confirmed no significant matrix effects, underscoring the high selectivity and accuracy of the MIP-modified sensor. This work introduces a highly selective, sensitive, and reproducible methodology for AFB1 detection, which could significantly advance food safety monitoring.

A biosensor integrating the electrochemical and fluorescence strategies for detection of aflatoxin B1 based on a dual-functionalized platform

BackgroundAflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is a potent hepatic carcinogen which causes cancer by inducing DNA changes in the liver cells. Variety of methods have been developed for detection of AFB1 which are based on single mode detection strategy. Fabrication of novel platform which are compatible for multimodal detection of AFB1 provide robust performance for reliable detection of AFB1. In this study, we aimed to develop a robust biosensing platform that combines electrochemical and fluorescence techniques for the sensitive and specific detection of Aflatoxin B1. ResultsThe sensing platform includes the magnetic core-shell Fe3O4@AuNPs and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). In electrochemical mode, the applied voltametric approach was used through functionalization of glassy carbon electrode and exhibited a linear range between 0.5 and 10000 pg mL−1 with LOD of 0.32 pg mL−1. Fluorescence analysis was based on the FRET on/off status of FAM-functionalized aptamer deposited on the same platform. The FAM emission recovered by the addition of AFB1 concentration in the range of 6–60 fg mL−1 with the LOD of 0.20 fg mL−1. The real sample analysis demonstrated satisfactory relative recoveries in the range of 92.81–105.32 % and 91.66–106.66 % using the electrochemical and fluorescence methods, respectively, and its reliability was confirmed by the HPLC technique. SignificanceThe experimental results affirm that the proposed aptasensor serves as a sensitive, efficient, and precise platform for monitoring AFB1 in both electrochemical and fluorescence detection approaches. Proposed strategy showed efficient selectivity among different analytes and was reproducible. Furthermore, the applicability of biosensor was confirmed in food and biological samples.