Aflatoxin B1 Concentration Research Articles

Prevalence and concentration of mycotoxins (Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin A, Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone) in the boiled poultry eggs and probabilistic health risk assessment: a case study in Jordan

ABSTRACT This study aimed to detect the prevalence and concentration of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN) in yolk and white boiled poultry eggs in Jordan. Two hundred and fifty poultry egg samples were collected from governates of Jordan during six month (March 2017 until September 2017) and then concentration of mycotoxins in the yolk and white of eggs was detected by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). In addition, probabilistic health risk assessment due to ingestion boiled poultry eggs content of mycotoxins (AFB1, DON, OTA and ZEN) in the adults and children consumers was estimated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique. The rank order of mycotoxins in the yolk of eggs based on prevalence was ZEN (96.56%) >DON (93.51%) >OTA (90.27%) >AFB1 (78.95%) and in white of eggs was ochratoxin A (97.44%) > deoxynivalenol (96.57%) > zearalenone (73.91%) > aflatoxin B1 (73.26%). In addition, the rank order of mycotoxins in the yolk of eggs based on concentration was deoxynivalenol (1.01 µg/kg) > zearalenone (0.96 µg/kg) > aflatoxin B1 (0.80 µg/kg) > ochratoxin A (0.47 µg/kg) and in the white of eggs based on concentration was deoxynivalenol (1.24 µg/kg) > zearalenone (0.99 µg/kg) > aflatoxin B1 (0.83 µg/kg) > ochratoxin A (0.54 µg/kg). Concentration of AFB1, DON and ZEN in the yolk was not significantly different with white of eggs (p value > 0.05) but concentration of OTA in the white of eggs was higher than yolk of eggs, significantly (p value < 0.05). The probabilistic health risk assessment shows that adults and children consumers are at the concern health risk (Margin of Exposures <10,000) due to aflatoxin B1. It is recommended to carry out to control the concentration of mycotoxins in protein products such as poultry eggs in Jordan.

INCIDENCE OF MYCOTOXINS IN MOULDY SMOKED DRIED FISH AND MEAT (KUNDI) MARKETED IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

The mycotoxicological safety of 85 mouldy dried fish (n=40) and meat (n=45) samples purchased from Ijebu-ode, Ogun State and Aleshinloye, Ibadan, Oyo State markets both in South Western part of Nigeria respectively, was assessed due to heavy consumption of these animal protein sources by many low-income families in Nigeria. The presence of aflatoxigenic moulds and levels of aflatoxins in the samples were determined by the dilution plating technique and high performance thin-layer chromatographic method. The predominant fungal species isolated from the samples was Aspergillus niger-clade (49.65%); other species isolated include Aspergillus section Flavi (36.83%) and (13.52%). All samples analysed for mycotoxin presence were contaminated with aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin B2, G1 and G2 were below detectable limits. About 13% of the samples had aflatoxin B1 concentration higher than the maximum acceptable level (10 ng/g). Results imply that the consumption of mouldy dried meat can result in serious public health hazard and hence there is need for advocacy programs to enlighten the populace on proper processing and storage of meat products.

The efficacy and effect on gut microbiota of an aflatoxin binder and a fumonisin esterase using an in vitro simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®)

Mycotoxin intoxication is in general an acknowledged and tackled issue in animals. However, in several parts of the world, mycotoxicoses in humans still remain a relevant issue. The efficacy of two mycotoxin detoxifying animal feed additives, an aflatoxin bentonite clay binder and a fumonisin esterase, was investigated in a human child gut model, i.e. the in vitro Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). Additionally, the effect of the detoxifiers on gut microbiota was examined in the SHIME. After an initial two weeks of system stabilisation, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) were added to the SHIME diet during one week. Next, the two detoxifiers and mycotoxins were added to the system for an additional week. The AFB1, FB1, hydrolysed FB1 (HFB1), partially hydrolysed FB1a and FB1b concentrations were determined in SHIME samples using a validated ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations were determined by a validated gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. Colonic bacterial communities were analysed using metabarcoding, targeting the hypervariable V1-V3 regions of the 16S rRNA genes. The AFB1 and FB1 concentrations significantly decreased after the addition of the detoxifiers. Likewise, the concentration of HFB1 significantly increased. Concentrations of SCFAs remained generally stable throughout the experiment. No major changes in bacterial composition occurred during the experiment. The results demonstrate the promising effect of these detoxifiers in reducing AFB1 and FB1 concentrations in the human intestinal environment, without compromising the gastrointestinal microbiota.

Effects of several lactic acid bacteria inoculants on fermentation and mycotoxins in corn silage

Effects of commercial and pure lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on fermentation and levels of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins in corn silage that was experimentally contaminated in the field with a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus (ITEM 8069) were determined. Late-season corn hybrid plants were inoculated with A. flavus at silk emergence, and fresh-chopped corn was harvested at the ⅔ milk line stage (dry matter [DM]: 428 ± 6.5 g/kg) and ensiled directly (control, CTR) or after treatment with 9 LAB inoculants. Commercial inoculants contained Lactobacillus (L.) buchneri LB1819 and Lactococcus lactis O224 or Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactococcus lactis SR3.54 (respectively SiloSolve FC or SiloSolve MC, Chr. Hansen A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark), L. buchneri and L. plantarum (Pioneer brand 11C33, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Des Moines, USA). One pure strain of L. brevis DSMZ 20054, two pure strains of L. plantarum (LP ATCC 8014 and LP PB) and three of L. rhamnosus (LR ATCC 7469, LR LR7 and LR RI) were also used. Each silage received an inoculant at final expected dose of approximately 250,000 CFU/g of freshly chopped forage, and was ensiled in 20 L mini-silos, compacted to density of 160 kg dry-mass/m3, stored at room temperature, and opened after 30 or 120 days. The commercial and pure inoculants had few effects on fermentation relative to CTR. Ensiling time and LAB treatment had no effect on silage pH. However SiloSolve FC silage had lower ethanol levels than CTR group, while 1,2 propanediol level doubled as ensiling time increased and the high values were with SiloSolve FC and Pioneer CFT. Aerobic stability increased with ensiling time, with the longest stability in SiloSolve FC and L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 silage. Lowest aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentrations were in the L. rhamnosus LR7 and L. plantarum ATCC 8014 silages (about 8–10 μg/kg DM) and the highest concentration was in L. brevis DSMZ 20054 silage (34.2 μg/kg DM). Concluding, future investigations should be carried out to examine the relationship between LAB and mycotoxinegic fungi during ensiling.

Effect of adding Toxisorb Premium, vitamin E, glucosamine, and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae to contaminated rations with aflatoxin B1- on aflatoxin B1 concentration in the liver and eggs of laying hen

This study was conducted to demonstrate effect of adding Toxisorb Premium, vitamin E, glucosamine, and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae to contaminated rations with aflatoxin B1- on aflatoxin B1 concentration in the liver and eggs of laying hen. One hundred sixty Brown Lohman laying hens were used, all hens were distributed randomly into eight treatments, each treatment had 4 replicates, each replicator has 5 chickens were distributed in cages after dividing them into 32 pens. This experiment was conducted for twenty weeks (140 days), first treatment (T1) was an essential diet without addition, and it was considered as control group, (T2) was an essential diet with aflatoxin added at a concentration of 2 mg/kg feed, (T3) was a standard diet with an Toxisorb Premium added at a concentration of 4 g/kg feed + 2 mg aflatoxin, (T4) was a based diet with added vitamin E at a concentration of 300 mg/kg feed + 2mg aflatoxin, (T5) was a base diet with glucosamin 100 mg/kg feed +2 mg aflatoxin, (T6) was a basic ration with added Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (SC) 4 g/kg feed +2 mg aflatoxin, (T7) was a basic ration with added mixture of (Toxisorb Premium + vitamin E + (SC)+ aflatoxin) with concentration of 4 gm + 300 mg + 4 g + 2 mg / kg feed respectively, The second group was significant increase competed with ( first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth groups) in residual aflatoxin B1 in the liver and eggs, The residual aflatoxin toxins in the liver and eggs were (10.7 and 4.6 ppm) respectively. We concluded from this study that the feed additives reduced aflatoxin B1 concentration in the liver and eggs and increased the cells’ resistance to eliminating these toxins.

Mycotoxins in apples coming from organic production and integrated pest management

The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of important mycotoxins often contaminating fruits, in particular aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, patulin, and an indicator of fungal metabolism – kojic acid, in dried apples from organic production and integrated pest management with origin in the Czech Republic. Regardless of the production management, both aflatoxin B1 and patulin concentrations were below the limit of quantification. Ochratoxin A was present in all samples examined in our study with concentrations ranging from 4.22 to 15.99 µg kg–1. Kojic acid concentrations ranged from 3.57 to 9.44 mg kg–1. However, no significant difference in ochratoxin A and kojic acid concentrations was found between samples coming from integrated pest management and samples coming from organic agriculture. The results of this study show that apples originating in organic production or integrated pest management have, under the same independent conditions, an equal probability of containing (or omitting) similar levels of the investigated mycotoxins. Moreover, these results, while demonstrating safe levels of some mycotoxins in different agricultural practices also highlight gaps in knowledge and legislation that may have direct and crucial effects on human health.

Embryonic exposure to low concentrations of aflatoxin B1 triggers global transcriptomic changes, defective yolk lipid mobilization, abnormal gastrointestinal tract development and inflammation in zebrafish

Aflatoxin B1-contaminated feeds and foods induce various health problems in domesticated animals and humans, including tumor development and hepatotoxicity. Aflatoxin B1 also has embryotoxic effects in different livestock species and humans. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the indirect, maternally-mediated toxic effects and the direct embryotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in mammals. In the present study, we investigated the aflatoxin B1-induced direct embryotoxic effects in a zebrafish embryo model system combining toxicological, transcriptomic, immunological, and biochemical approaches. Embryonic exposure to aflatoxin B1 induced significant changes at the transcriptome level resulting in elevated expression of inflammatory gene network and repression of lipid metabolism and gastrointestinal tract development-related gene sets. According to the gene expression changes, massive neutrophil granulocyte influx, elevated nitric oxide production, and yolk lipid accumulation were observed in the abdominal region of aflatoxin B1-exposed larvae. In parallel, aflatoxin B1-induced defective gastrointestinal tract development and reduced L-arginine level were found in our model system. Our results revealed the complex direct embryotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1, including inhibited lipid utilization, defective intestinal development, and inflammation.

Aflatoxin exposure and child nutrition: measuring anthropometric and long-bone growth over time in Nepal

ABSTRACTBackgroundNaturally occurring aflatoxins may contribute to poor growth and nutritional statuses in children.ObjectivesWe analyzed the relationship between contemporary and lagged aflatoxin exposure and 1) length-for-age z-score (LAZ); and 2) length, knee-heel length, stunting, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), and weight-for-length z-score (WLZ).MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal birth cohort study involving 1675 mother-infant dyads in rural Nepal. Participants were repeatedly visited from pregnancy to 2 years of age (2015–2019). One blood sample was collected during pregnancy and 4 samples were collected from the children at 3, 6, 12, and 18–22 months of age to measure concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-lysine adduct. Multivariate linear fixed-effects and logistic models with generalized estimating equations were used to identify associations between child growth and aflatoxin exposure.ResultsAFB1-lysine adducts were detected in the majority of children (at 3 months, 80.5%; at 6 months, 75.3%; at 12 months, 81.1%; and at 18–22 months, 85.1%) and in 94.3% of pregnant women. Changes in contemporary ln child AFB1‐lysine adduct concentrations were significantly associated with changes in LAZ (β, −0.05; 95% CI, −0.09 to −0.02; P = 0.003), length (β, −0.19; 95% CI, −0.29 to −0.10; P < 0.001), knee-heel length (β, −0.09; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.05; P < 0.001), and WAZ (β, −0.04; 95% CI, −0.07 to −0.005; P = 0.022). Serum aflatoxin concentrations were associated with stunting (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05–1.32; P = 0.005). Similar results were found in the models using changes in contemporary ln AFB1 adjusted for changes in child weight, with significant associations with changes in WLZ (β, −0.07; 95% CI, −0.10 to −0.03; P < 0.001). Changes in time-lagged ln AFB1 (unadjusted and adjusted for changes in child weight) were associated with changes in length and knee-heel length.ConclusionsOur results add to the growing body of evidence confirming chronic aflatoxin exposure and suggest that exposure is significantly correlated with various negative growth outcomes, which may vary by child weight status. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03312049.

Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil From Zanthoxylum armatum DC. on Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxins in Stored Platycladi Semen.

The major objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of essential oil (EO) from Zanthoxylum armatum DC. on Aspergillus flavus. The chemical composition of the EO was identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EO was investigated by liquid fermentation. The morphology, colony number, and aflatoxin content of A. flavus in platycladi semen were investigated by stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, plate counting, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the MIC of EO was 0.8 μL⋅mL–1, and the main components were β-phellandrene (7.53%), D-limonene (13.24%), linalool (41.73%), terpinen-4-ol (5.33%), and trans-nerolidol (6.30%). After the EO fumigated the platycladi semen, the growth of A. flavus slowed, and the mycelium shrank considerably. The number of colonies after EO treatment at room temperature and cold storage was significantly reduced, the inhibition effect was better under cold storage, and the aflatoxin B1 content did not exceed the standard within 100 days. Therefore, this study demonstrated the good potential of A. flavus growth inhibition during the storage of platycladi semen.

Bioluminescence Measurement of Time-Dependent Dynamic Changes of CYP-Mediated Cytotoxicity in CYP-Expressing Luminescent HepG2 Cells.

We sought to develop a cell-based cytotoxicity assay using human hepatocytes, which reflect the effects of drug-metabolizing enzymes on cytotoxicity. In this study, we generated luminescent human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells using the mouse artificial chromosome vector, in which click beetle luciferase alone or luciferase and major drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) are expressed, and monitored the time-dependent changes of CYP-mediated cytotoxicity expression by bioluminescence measurement. Real-time bioluminescence measurement revealed that compared with CYP-non-expressing cells, the luminescence intensity of CYP-expressing cells rapidly decreased when the cells were treated with low concentrations of aflatoxin B1 or primaquine, which exhibits cytotoxicity in the presence of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6, respectively. Using kinetics data obtained by the real-time bioluminescence measurement, we estimated the time-dependent changes of 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the aflatoxin B1- and primaquine-treated cell lines. The first IC50 value was detected much earlier and at a lower concentration in primaquine-treated CYP-expressing HepG2 cells than in primaquine-treated CYP-non-expressing cells, and the decrease of IC50 values was much faster in the former than the latter. Thus, we successfully monitored time- and concentration-dependent dynamic changes of CYP-mediated cytotoxicity expression in CYP-expressing luminescent HepG2 cells by means of real-time bioluminescence measurement.

Effects of compound probiotics and aflatoxin-degradation enzyme on alleviating aflatoxin-induced cytotoxicity in chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cells

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most dangerous mycotoxins for humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of compound probiotics (CP), CP supernatant (CPS), AFB1-degradation enzyme (ADE) on chicken embryo primary intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities, and to determine the functions of CP + ADE (CPADE) or CPS + ADE (CPSADE) for alleviating cytotoxicity induced by AFB1. The results showed that AFB1 decreased cell viabilities in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. The optimal AFB1 concentrations and reactive time for establishing cell damage models were 200 µg/L AFB1 and 12 h for intestinal epithelium cells, 40 µg/L and 12 h for liver and kidney cells. Cell viabilities reached 231.58% (p < 0.05) for intestinal epithelium cells with CP addition, 105.29% and 115.84% (p < 0.05) for kidney and liver cells with CPS additions. The further results showed that intestinal epithelium, liver and kidney cell viabilities were significantly decreased to 87.12%, 88.7% and 84.19% (p < 0.05) when the cells were exposed to AFB1; however, they were increased to 93.49% by CPADE addition, 102.33% and 94.71% by CPSADE additions (p < 0.05). The relative mRNA abundances of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, iNOS, NF-κB, NOD1 (except liver cell) and TLR2 in three kinds of primary cells were significantly down-regulated by CPADE or CPSADE addition, compared with single AFB1 group (p < 0.05), indicating that CPADE or CPSADE addition could alleviate cell cytotoxicity and inflammation induced by AFB1 exposure through suppressing the activations of NF-κB, iNOS, NOD1 and TLR2 pathways.

Treatment and protective effects of metalloproteinase inhibitors alone and in combination with N-Acetyl cysteine plus vitamin E in rats exposed to aflatoxin B1

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors dexamethasone and minocycline administrations —both single and in combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin E—on the tissue distribution and lethal dose (LD)50 of aflatoxin (AF)B1 in rats. We performed this study on male Wistar rats (8–10 weeks) in two phases. In the first phase, rats were administered dexamethasone (5 and 20 mg/kg) and minocycline (45 and 90 mg/kg), both as single treatments and in combination with NAC (200 mg/kg) and vitamin E (600 mg/kg); these treatments followed AFB1 administration (2 mg/kg). In the second phase, the therapeutic effect value (TEV) was calculated to determine the treatment effect on the LD50 level of AFB1. The tissue affinity of AFB1 from high to low was liver, kidney, intestine, brain, heart, spleen, lung, testis, and vitreous humor, respectively. Dexamethasone at the 20 mg/kg dose significantly reduced AFB1 concentrations in the plasma and the other tissues, except for the vitreous humor. The effects of minocycline on the plasma and tissue concentrations of AFB1 varied by dose and tissue. The combinations of dexamethasone or minocycline with NAC and vitamin E increased the AFB1 concentrations in the plasma and all tissues, except for vitreous humor and liver. In male rats, the LD50 value of AFB1 was 11.86 mg/kg. The TEV of dexamethasone (20 mg/kg) was calculated to be 1.5. Dexamethasone can be administered in repeated doses at ≥20 mg/kg to increase survival in AFB1 poisoning.

Aflatoxin production byAspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus on deoiled ground nyjer seeds

Nyjer seeds are oil rich (35-40% oil content) seeds of the plantGuizotia abyssinica, which is closely related to sunflower. They are pressed mechanically for cooking oil in Ethiopia and elsewhere. The remaining deoiled cake, which contains approximately 10% oil is commonly used as animal feed. This study investigated the effect of water activity and temperature on the growth and aflatoxin production of the four main forms of aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) byAspergillus flavus andAspergillus parasiticus on ground nyjer seed with 10% oil. The ground nyjer seeds were adjusted to different water activity aw levels (0.82, 0.86, 0.90, 0.94 and 0.98 aw) and incubated at 20, 27 and 35 °C, up to 30 days. Our results show thatA. flavus andA. parasiticus had similar growth patterns in which the slowest fungal growth occurred on ground seeds with 0.86 aw at 20 °C. There was no fungal growth for eitherA. flavus orA. parasiticus at 0.82 aw. The most rapid growth conditions forA. flavus andA. parasiticus were 0.94 aw at 35 °C, and 0.94 aw at 20 °C, respectively.Aspergillus flavus produced aflatoxins (13 μg/kg aflatoxin B1) only on seeds with 0.94 aw at 27 °C, whileA. parasiticus produced high levels of aflatoxins under several conditions; the highest concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (175 μg/kg) and AFG1 (153 μg/kg) were produced on deoiled ground seeds with 0.94 aw at 27 °C. It is likely that storing ground deoiled nyjer seeds with a water activity up to 0.82 aw at 20 °C will reduce fungal growth aflatoxin production.

Evaluation of different ozonation on aflatoxin degradation and physicochemical characteristics of hazelnuts

Hazelnut contaminated with aflatoxin (5, 10, 25, and 50 ppb) were treated ozone at three different doses and two exposure times (5, 10, and 20 ppm for 10 and 20 min) on aflatoxin degradation. The highest peroxide value was reached (12.89 meqO2/kg) 20 ppm/20 min, and the lowest was 5 ppm/20 min (3.20 meqO2/kg). The reductions of α-tocopherol were 15.38%–28.87%, when control 19.14%, and the highest reduction were ozone concentration had adverse effect on α-tocopherol (24.96% 20 ppm/10 min), 28.87% (20 ppm/20 min). Ozonation was not lead to significant changes in color (L*, a*, and b*) and textures. Decrease in aflatoxin B1(AFB1) contents was dependent on increasing ozone concentration, the highest degradation for AFB1(38.96%) and total aflatoxins(31.35%) were obtained with use of 20 ppm/20 min ozonation. At 5 µg/kg contaminated group, the AFB1 reduction rate was 19.88% for 5.min and 32.23% for 20 min. Ozonation, especially 5 ppm is innovative for reducing aflatoxin, while maintaining the quality. Practical applications The effect of different ozone treatments on the degradation of the aflatoxin (AFB1), which was produced by mold growth on hazelnuts’ physicochemical characteristics, was determined. It is essential that ozonation with low concentration and short application time is needed to minimize the destruction to tocopherols and specific nutrition. The current research aimed to determine the lowest optimal dose of detoxification using different amounts of ozone and exposure time on the different amounts of AFB1.In addition, the effects of ozone applications on the physicochemical characteristics of nuts were also determined.

Occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in total mixed rations and aflatoxin M1 in raw and commercial dairy milk in northern China during winter season

This study aims to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in total mixed rations (TMR) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw and commercial milk in northern China during winter season. A total of 22 feed samples, as well as the corresponding 84 raw milk and 69 commercial milk samples were randomly collected from northwest, northeast and north areas of China from November 2019 to January 2020. High performance liquid chromatography and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method were applied to detect AFB1 and AFM1. All samples presented AFB1 (30–370 ng/L) and AFM1 (10–430 ng/L) levels under the legal limit of China for raw milk (10 μg/L) and commercial milk (500 ng/L). While 31.8% of TMRs and 34.5% of raw milk samples exceeded the European Union (EU) legal limit for AFM1 in raw milk (5 μg/L) and commercial milk (50 ng/L). Compared with the samples from northeast and north areas of China with the similar AFB1 concentration, samples from northwest area of China exhibited higher AFM1 level (mean = 130 ng/L), thus presenting a higher transfer ratio from AFB1 to AFM1. A Linear relationship was observed between AFB1 in TMRs and AFM1 in raw milk. In conclusion, all samples from northern China presented AFB1 and AFM1 levels under Chinese legal limit and only about 30% of the tested samples exceeded the EU legal limit. However, the aflatoxin contamination in northwest area of China should be paid more attention to due to the high AFM1 levels and high variance in milk samples.

Determination of Aflatoxin B1 Contamination in Wheat and Rice Flour Collected from Iranian Market Using Simple and Reliable HPLC Method

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), as the most toxic mycotoxin, has a large variety of toxic effects to human and animals. To evaluate incidence of AFB1 in wheat flour and rice flour sold in Iranian markets, 40 samples including 16 wheat flour samples and 24 rice flour samples were collected from commercial brands commonly marketed in Iran and analyzed for their AFB1 content using post-column photochemical derivatization and HPLC. The mobile phase consisting of water, methanol and acetonitrile mixture (53:28:19, v/v/v). The sample preparation was done with simple extraction with acetonitrile and water (80/20, v/v) accompany with immunoaffinity column cleanup. Our results indicated a good recovery (minimal 90% in wheat flour and 97 % in rice flour) in spike range 0.2-8 µg.kg-1 with RSDs lower than 5%. The results showed both high incidence and high levels of AFB1 in rice flour samples compared to wheat flour. AFB1 was detected in 18.5% with maximum level of 0.26 µg.kg-1. AFB1 was found in 100% of rice samples with a mean and maximum level of 4.09±2.565 µg.kg-1 and 10.16 µg.kg-1, respectively. The results indicate that although the level of AFB1 in wheat flour is not comparatively critical point regarding quality of wheat flour, high incidence and high contamination level of AFB1 in rice flour samples could make serious health problems for Iranian consumers.

The Influence of Weather on the Occurrence of Aflatoxin B1 in Harvested Maize from Kenya and Tanzania.

A study was conducted using maize samples collected from different agroecological zones of Kenya (n = 471) and Tanzania (n = 100) during the 2013 maize harvest season to estimate a relationship between aflatoxin B1 concentration and occurrence with weather conditions during the growing season. The toxins were analysed by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Aflatoxin B1 incidence ranged between 0–100% of samples in different regions with an average value of 29.4% and aflatoxin concentrations of up to 6075 µg/kg recorded in one sample. Several regression techniques were explored. Random forests achieved the highest overall accuracy of 80%, while the accuracy of a logistic regression model was 65%. Low rainfall occurring during the early stage of the maize plant maturing combined with high temperatures leading up to full maturity provide warning signs of aflatoxin contamination. Risk maps for the two countries for the 2013 season were generated using both random forests and logistic regression models.

Risks of aflatoxin exposure among adolescents in boarding schools in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania

School feeding in low-income countries is dominated by cereals and legumes, which are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination but are usually not assessed for aflatoxins. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess aflatoxin exposure among adolescents through consumption of school meals in Kilimanjaro region. Food frequency questionnaires and 24 h dietary recalls were used to collect information on food consumption. At least four samples of common food used in school meals were collected. A deterministic approach was used to estimate the dietary aflatoxin exposure. High Performance Liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyse presence of aflatoxin contamination. Results showed that, maize based food and beans were consumed on daily basis. The intake of maize flour and dehulled maize ranged from 17.5 to 738.2 g and 28.2 to 272 g per person per day respectively. Furthermore, consumption of beans and rice were in the range of 121.1 to 595.2 g and 15.7 to 42.2 g per person per day respectively. Total aflatoxins ranged 0.20-438.53 μg/kg (median 2.30 μg/kg). The highest contamination range (0.59-438.53 μg/kg) was in maize while the lowest (0.20-3.41 μg/kg) was found in rice. Similarly, the highest aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentration (35.88 μg/kg) was in dehulled maize while the lowest (0.44 μg/kg) was in rice. The highest dietary exposure to total aflatoxins and AFB1 due to consumption of maize ranged from 0.70 to 973.45 ng/kg/bodyweight (bw)/day, and from 0.05-81.06 ng/kg/bw/day, respectively. This pronounced risk of exposure to aflatoxins might have been contributed by a monotonous maize based diet in boarding schools. These findings call for institutions immediate interventions, such as the use of appropriate storage technologies, sorting, cleaning and winnowing in order to remove damaged grains, thereby reducing the risk of dietary exposure to aflatoxins. Likewise, the relevant ministries should consider food diversification and routine risk assessments of the susceptible crops throughout the value chain as a long-term intervention plan at policy level.

Assessment of serum aflatoxin B1 levels in neonatal jaundice with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: a preliminary study.

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination of food products is still a major health issue globally. Prior studies suggest that exposure to AFs during pregnancy has harmful fetal outcomes. This preliminary study was designed to assess serum AFB1 levels in neonatal jaundice (NNJ) secondary to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Twenty-four full-term neonates with hemolytic jaundice secondary to G6PD deficiency were enrolled in the study. Erythrocyte G6PD status was assessed colorimetrically, and serum aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that AFB1 was detected in 58% (14/24) of the studied newborns while detected in 75% (18/24) of their mothers. AFB1 positive cases had a highly significantly lower birthweight and G6PD activity (P=0.001, each). Birthweight (r=-0.574, P=0.032) and G6PD activity (r=-0.585, P=0.028) negatively correlated with serum AFB1 levels while serum alanine aminotransferase activity positively correlated with serum AFB1 levels (r=0.536, P=0.048). Maternal AFB1 exposure is associated with adverse birth outcomes as verified by the low birthweight and the evident decline in the activity of G6PD enzyme with the resultant hemolytic NNJ.

Determination of aflatoxin B1 concentration in poultry feed in the poultry farms of Sanandaj using ELISA method

Background and Aim: Aflatoxin B1 is a common contaminant of poultry feed and has the highest rate of acute and chronic toxicity among all mycotoxins. Over the past decade, studies have well established the negative effects of aflatoxin B1 on the health of poultry. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the maximum concentration of aflatoxin B1 in poultry feed. Materials and Methods: In this study, in order to determine the aflatoxin B1 concentration in poultry feed, 45 samples were collected via a simple random method during autumn 2018 and winter 2019, and then the concentration of this contaminant was measured by the ELISA method. Results: The experimental results showed that the contamination range in the positive samples was between 6.44 and 34.18 µg/Kg. Moreover, the mean concentration of aflatoxin in contaminated samples was 5.10 µg/Kg. The concentration of contaminant in 46.66% of the samples exceeded the standard limit. Due to higher temperatures and suitable environmental conditions for the growth of fungi, the samples prepared in autumn were more contaminated than those prepared in winter. Conclusion: The level of aflatoxin B1 contamination in poultry feed in Sanandaj is high. In order to prevent the entry of this toxin into the human food cycle regular survey and monitoring of poultry feed by health institutions are necessary