Food Contamination Research Articles

Heavy metals in commonly consumed rice grains in Bangladesh and associated probabilistic human health risks

Food contamination by heavy metals is a concerning issue worldwide. The presence of elevated levels of heavy metals in commonly consumed rice has emerged as a critical issue in ensuring food safety. This research encompassed the collection of 44 rice samples, representing seven distinct varieties, through a randomized sampling approach across various retail markets within Dhaka city. The investigation of heavy metal content (including Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) within the rice samples was carried out employing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The findings disclosed substantial disparities in heavy metal concentrations among the different rice varieties. Notably, the concentrations of Cr (0.99 mg/kg), Fe (8.35 mg/kg), Pb (0.49 mg/kg), and Co (0.02 mg/kg) were observed to exceed the established maximum permissible limits. This contamination of the rice varieties may stem from either natural processes or human activities. Utilizing these metal concentrations, this study employed Monte-Carlo simulation to calculate health risk and probabilistic health risk. The Target Hazard Quotients (THQs) for Cr, Fe, and As exceeded the threshold of 1 in each rice variety, particularly in Amon and Lal Biroi in Mymensingh, Najirshail in Bogra, 28 in Sherpur and Kushtia, Miniket in Bogra and Rajshahi, and lastly, paijam in Rangpur and Tangail. Furthermore, the Hazard Index (HI) exceeded 1 in all rice varieties, implying that the consumption of these selected rice grains may have a substantial impact on overall food quality and its potential health consequences. Both carcinogenic risk and probabilistic risk for As, Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb were found to surpass the threshold levels and safe limits, respectively. This suggests that individuals who have regularly consumed these rice varieties may face a heightened probability of developing cancer in the future, as predicted. According to sensitivity analysis, metal concentration and food ingestion rate (FIR) are the most relevant components that contribute to the significant impact of carcinogenic health hazards. Finally, the study concluded that heavy metal intake from food poses a risk to human health, necessitating the effective monitoring based on each geographic location and identify the source of this heavy metal to limit its exposure.

Perspectives on Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention: Looking Back and Looking Ahead.

Lead's neurotoxic properties and potential harmful effects to humans, particularly young children, have been recognized for decades, influencing public health policies to reduce its admixture in house paint and passenger car gasoline. We signal 3 emergent trends: firearm proliferation, complex international food supply chains, and equally complex product marketing strategies, which have opened opportunities for lead exposure to children from guns and ammunition, and lead contamination in children's food and consumer goods. Readers will also be apprised of Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and education strategies cultivated and advanced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its lead prevention partners. A national governmental policy update is included, as are future considerations.

Exploring the Protective Effect of Silver Croton tiglium Nano-Extract against Azoxymethane Induced Toxicity in Female Reproductive Organs in Rats

Reproductive toxicity from food and environmental contaminants has greatly affected human life. Plants are a fundamental source of bioactive components for relieving the harmful effects of pollutants. Hydrazine metabolites pose health threats when they enter the food chain. Croton tiglium (C. tiglium) exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. Silver nanoparticles enhance the chemical stability of C. tiglium. Reproductive toxicity of Azoxymethane (AOM) and anticancer effects of silver C. tiglium were evaluated. Thirty-six adult female rats were divided into six groups (n=6) and treated with AOM with or without silver C. tiglium nano-extract as pre- and post-treatment. Sexual hormones and proteins were assessed under silver C. tiglium nano-extract and AOM. Histopathologically, AOM caused metaplastic myometrial endometriotic cysts and endometrial metaplasia. Silver C. tiglium in pre- and post-treated rats mitigated the carcinogenic effects of AOM. Immunohistochemically, AOM carcinogenicity was evident through moderate detection of the CK-7 tumor marker in the ovaries and uterus of the AOM-, simultaneous-, and post-treated groups. C. tiglium ameliorated this, with CK-7 slightly expressed in the pre-treated group. Furthermore, C. tiglium alleviated the negative impact on FSH, LH, and 17-β estradiol hormones. In conclusion, Silver C. tiglium nano-extract successfully prevented tumors in the ovaries and uterus of AOM-treated rats.

CRISPR-Cas12a-based nanoparticle biosensor for detection of pathogenic bacteria in food

Pathogenic bacterial contamination of food is a major challenge in food safety and public health management. To monitor pathogenic bacteria in food, a rapid, sensitive, and specific pathogen detection method is needed. CRISPR-Cas12a has been developed as a sensitive method for detecting pathogenic bacteria, but its output signal is fluorescent, which need equipment to detect. Here, the nanoparticle probe was designed to detect the activity of Cas12a and were able to visualize the assay results by observing the color change by naked eyes. The target sequences of pathogenic bacteria were amplified by recombinase polymerase, then recognized and bound by the crRNA and Cas12a complex. The activated Cas12a cleaved the linker-ssDNA connecting the nanoparticles, causing the nanoparticles to transition from aggregation to dispersion, and the color showed as purple. The sensitivity analysis showed that the limits of detection (LOD) reached 1 × 10°CFU/mL, 1 × 104 CFU/mL, 1 × 102 CFU/mL, 1 × 103 CFU/mL, 1 × 101 CFU/mL for Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, which were all specific for five bacteria in the milk samples. Therefore, this method is a dependable, fast, sensitive and specific method, which make the CRIPSR-Cas12a detection method more useful in bacterial pathogenic detection.

Bisphenol a monitoring by commercial pregnancy test strips transformed by DNA walking machine

Frequently occurred food contamination issues bring about a tremendous global demand for point-of-care testing (POCT) devices. Pregnancy test strip (PTS) retains the highest POCT market share and a low cost of $0.10 per test, but challenged by limited analytical sensitivity and non-autonomous signal transduction for drink contaminant monitoring. Herein, we developed a DNA walking machine-assisted commercial PTS method for on-site bisphenol A (BPA) analysis in drink. DNAzyme was operated as the efficient autonomous catalytic walker chain to drive the DNA machine for the amplified signal output of BPA in drink samples. A detection limit of 16.8 pg/mL was obtained, which is three orders of magnitude lower than the regulatory limit of European Union (Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1245). The POCT strategy constructed in this work has the characteristics of low cost, convenient operation and high analytical sensitivity, represents an attractive option for biosensing and on-site drink safety monitoring.

Internal exposure to heat-induced food contaminants in omnivores, vegans and strict raw food eaters: biomarkers of exposure to 2- and 3-monochloropropanediol (urinary excretion) and glycidol (hemoglobin adduct N-2,3-dihydroxypropyl-Val).

Fatty acid esters of 2/3-monochloropropanediol (2/3-MCPD) and glycidol are formed mainly during heat processing (deodorization) of vegetable oils, and are hydrolyzed by lipases in the gastrointestinal tract leading to the absorption of 2/3-MCPD and glycidol. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 3-MCPD as possibly and glycidol as probably carcinogenic to humans. The aims of the current work were to clarify the exposure to 2/3-MCPD and glycidol associated with different dietary habits (omnivore, vegan, raw-food eating), and the exposure development between 2017 and 2021 in German study participants. The questions were addressed using the daily urinary excretion of 2/3-MCPD and the hemoglobin adduct N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-Val (DHP-Val) formed from glycidol as biomarkers of exposure, which were determined in two dietary studies including 36 omnivores, 36 vegans and 16 strict raw food eaters (abstaining from any heated food for at least four months). The median urinary excretion of 2- and 3-MCPD in non-smoking omnivores and vegans was 0.87 and 1.35µg/day (2-MCPD), respectively, and 0.79 and 1.03µg/day (3-MCPD), respectively. The 2/3-MCPD concentrations in urine samples of raw food eaters were usually below the limit of detection. The median DHP-Val levels in non-smoking vegans and omnivores were 3.9pmol/g Hb each, and 1.9pmol/g Hb in raw food eaters. Between 2017 and 2021, the exposure to 3-MCPD and glycidol did not change, however, the median 2-MCPD excretion decreased (p = 0.02, omnivores and vegans combined). The correlation between daily excretions of 2/3-MCPD determined 4years apart was weak, whereas a moderate correlation was observed for DHP-Val (rS = 0.66) in this timeframe. In conclusion, the exposure to glycidol in omnivores and vegans was alike, whereas the 2/3-MCPD exposure was somewhat (albeit not significantly) higher in vegans. While 2/3-MCPD were hardly detectable in urine samples of raw food eaters, the median DHP-Val level (about 50% of those in omnivores) indicates a glycidol source independent of the dietary exposure.

Current status of bacterial contamination in foods of boarding meals at schools in Buon Ma Thuot City in the 2023-2024 school year

The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at 29 primary schools and preschools with boarding kitchens in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak province in the 2023- 2024 school year. The objectives were to determine the infection rate of bacteria Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. contamination in foods provided during boarding meals at schools participating in the study. The results indicated that 19/29 (63.33%) schools participating in the study had food samples contaminated with microorganisms; There were 33/147 (22.34%) food samples collected at school collective kitchens contaminated with at least 1 microbial indicator out of 4 tested indicators, including 18 food samples (12.24%) infected with Escherichia coli, 11 food samples (7.48%) infected with Staphylococcus aureus, 15 food samples (10.2%) infected with Bacillus cereus and 3 food samples (2.04%) infected with Salmonella spp. 12/147 food samples (8.16%) contaminated with two or more microbial indicators.

Food Safety Awareness and Proper Hygiene among Food Vendors

Proper hygiene practices among food vendors are crucial in ensuring food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses. Although food vendors play a critical role in the food supply chain, foodborne illnesses and food contamination can result from inadequate hygiene practices. This study aimed to assess the food safety awareness and hygiene practices of street vendors in Digos City. Eventually, data was collected from 150 randomly selected food vendors, and answered the adopted questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale. The study used a descriptive-comparative research design to determine the awareness level of food vendors on food safety and proper hygiene. Based on the findings, the level of awareness on food safety is high. It indicates that food safety standards are consistently upheld across food vendors. While, the level of food hygiene among food vendors was described as high, thus, this indicates that the food hygiene among food vendors is well practiced and relatively evident. Findings also revealed that there was a significant difference between food safety awareness and proper hygiene practices among vendors when analyzed by profile. Hence, the study suggests that improving food safety and hygiene standards in Digos City can lead to a reduction in foodborne diseases and overall public health by implementing food safety training for vendors and must undergo regular inspections of city health office.

Etiology Causes of the Chronic Diarrheal Infection in Children Aged Under Five Years in Salah Al-Din Government

Diarrhea is a factor contributing to both death and illness among children below the age of five in poor nations. Childhood mortality from diarrhea surpasses that of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and measles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of diarrhea and its related determinants among children aged below five years. The study included collecting 100 stool from children with chronic diarrhea and some other intestinal disorders who came to the hospitals of Salah al-Din Governorate / Dhuluiya District and some private laboratories, whose ages ranged from one month to 36 months during the period between the beginning of December 2023 and the end of June 2024. Males had a higher frequency of diarrheal infection than females, and age groups (1-12)months were more infected than others (p-value< 0.05). Increasing bacterial and fungal illness in weight group (7-11) and cold in this age. Diarrhea from food contamination and unhealthy food increases in 2-6) and 7-11-kg children. As well as cold-induced diarrhea (2-6Kg), p>0.05. This study concluded bacterial infection more common cause of diarrheal infection than other cause, and male more infected than female. In addition increase incidence in age groups (months). Furthermore mixed infection with gram positive and negative more common than only gram positive and negative alone.

Method validation for the detection of formaldehydein fish using ultra performance liquid chromatography

Formaldehyde, the simplest aldehyde, tops the list of illegal and harmful food contaminants. Recently, formaldehyde has been used indiscriminately to preserve the freshness and quality of fish. Numerous incidents of formalin (a solution of formaldehyde) misuse during the storage and transportation of fish have been reported in several parts of India. In this context, it is pertinent to study formalin contamination in fish and shellfish. Protocol for detection of free and bound formaldehyde by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was attempted in the present study. Formaldehyde peak was observed in the expected retentiontime and standardisation of the protocol for formaldehyde determination was then carried out. UPLC method was developed and validated for specificity, repeatability, accuracy, and linearity. The average correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.99. The recovery rates of free and bound formaldehyde were 90.83 to 116.43% and 88.76 to 132.98%, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.5 ppm. The study investigated free and bound formaldehyde levels in commonly traded fish species across five major fish markets inTamil Nadu, India. Sphyraena barracuda had the highest recorded concentrations of free and bound formaldehyde at 9.8 and 6.45 mg kg-1, respectively, while Lethrinus lentjan exhibited the lowest concentrations at 0.8 mg kg-1 for free formaldehyde and 0.5 mg kg-1 for bound formaldehyde. Keywords: Formalin abuse, Limit of detection, Method validation, Retention time UPLC

Relationship between Food Contamination Factors and the Presence of Escherichia coli in Juice Drink Outlets in Banjarbaru Selatan Subdistrict

Juice drinks are one of the beverage snacks that are favored by all circles of society. In South Banjarbaru Sub-district, there are 16 juice drink outlets. As with other food snacks, juice drinks have a risk of contamination by microorganisms, because the manufacturing process is without going through a heating process, so it is necessary to know the factors associated with the presence of Escherichia coli as an effort to prevent bacterial contamination.This study aims to determine the factors associated with the presence of E.coli in juice drink outlets in South Banjarbaru District with a total sample of 16 outlets and juice drink samples. Data collection was done by observation and laboratory tests using the MPN coli method. Based on the results of laboratory tests, 56.3% of the samples met the requirements of Permenkes RI No. 02 of 2023 concerning Regulations on the Implementation of PP No. 66 of 2014 concerning Environmental Health, namely <3.6 MPN/gr or 1.1 CFU/gr. The results of statistical tests showed that there was a relationship between personal hygiene and the presence of Escherichia coli and there was no relationship between the condition of peddler facilities and infrastructure, equipment cleanliness, and food storage and packaging methods with the presence of Escherichia coli in juice drink snack food outlets in South Banjarbaru District. In order to maintain quality and improve personal hygiene, vendors are expected to wash their hands with running water and soap, use gloves/tools, masks and head coverings when handling food, maintain personal hygiene and not wear jewelry.

RNAi-Based Approaches to Control Mycotoxin Producers: Challenges and Perspectives.

Mycotoxin contamination of food and feed is a worldwide problem that needs to be addressed with highly efficient and biologically safe techniques. RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism playing an important role in different processes in eukaryotes, including the regulation of gene expression, maintenance of genome stability, protection against viruses and others. Recently, RNAi-based techniques have been widely applied for the purposes of food safety and management of plant diseases, including those caused by mycotoxin-producing fungi. In this review, we summarize the current state-of-the-art RNAi-based approaches for reducing the aggressiveness of key toxigenic fungal pathogens and mycotoxin contamination of grain and its products. The ways of improving RNAi efficiency for plant protection and future perspectives of this technique, including progress in methods of double-stranded RNA production and its delivery to the target cells, are also discussed.

A gene regulating ergot alkaloid biosynthesis in Metarhizium brunneum.

Ergot alkaloids produced by several species of fungi are important as contaminants of food and feed in agriculture and also as the foundation of numerous pharmaceuticals prescribed for dementia, migraines, hyperprolactinemia, and several other disorders. Information on control of the ergot alkaloid pathway may contribute to strategies to limit their production in agricultural settings or increase their yield for pharmaceutical production. Our results demonstrate that a previously uncharacterized gene clustered with the ergot alkaloid synthesis genes is required for the sufficient transcription of the ergot alkaloid biosynthesis genes. This observation suggests the gene encodes a factor regulating transcription of those biosynthetic genes.

Natural plant-derived terpenes: antioxidant activity and antibacterial properties against foodborne pathogens, food spoilage and lactic acid bacteria

The objective of this study was to conduct an in vitro examination of the antioxidant and the antibacterial activities of thymol, carvacrol, linalool, and cinnamaldehyde to evaluate their potential applications in strategies aimed at maintaining food nutritional quality and enhancing food shelf life. The investigation included five common potentially foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium), two less-studied food spoilage bacteria (Shewanella putrefaciens and Brochothrix thermosphacta), and four pro-technological bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus fermentum), associated with food contamination, spoilage, and technology, respectively. Carvacrol and thymol showed the highest antiradical activity, scavenging 50 % of DPPH and ABTS radicals at concentrations in the order of units and hundredths of mmoles/L, respectively. Carvacrol, thymol and cinnamaldehyde showed the highest antibacterial efficacy. Spoilage bacteria (IC50s=0.35–0.75 mM) were more sensitive than pathogens (IC50s=0.85–2.35 mM), in particular the highest sensitivity was observed in S. putrefaciens, with IC50 in the order of tenths of mmoles/L. Carvacrol, thymol and cinnamaldehyde resulted in a similar IC50s in pathogens, except for cinnamaldehyde against P. aeruginosa. In contrast, 90 % inhibition of growth was achieved with the following order of efficacy: cinnamaldehyde>thymol>carvacrol. Lactobacilli exhibited greater resistance compared to that of spoilage bacteria and pathogens. All bacterial strains showed minimal sensitivity (very low % of growth inhibition) to linalool. Due to their antioxidant and antibacterial properties, thymol and carvacrol could be considered as promising phytochemicals for preserving food and extending its shelf life.

Accumulation of rare earth elements in human gallstones: a perspective from dietary and human health

BackgroundGallstone disease poses a global threat to human health and is strongly linked to environmental factors. However, there is currently no data on the presence of rare earth elements (REEs) in human gallstones. This paper investigates the concentration and distribution of REEs in gallstones for the first time, aiming to explore the environmental implications on human health.MethodsA total of 25 gallstone samples were collected in Shanghai and the content of REEs was measured by Inductively coupled plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to explore the distribution of REEs in gallstones.ResultsThe concentration of REEs in gallstones ranged from 4.89 to 190.8 ng/g (mean 39.21). In most of the gallstone analyses, REEs have been detected and generally attributed to environmental exposure or food contamination. The Y/Ho ratio of gallstones was lower than that of continental rocks, similar to that in the blood, indicating limited fractionation during fluid transport processes in the gallbladder.ConclusionsThe upper continental crust (UCC)-normalized REEs pattern in gallstones showed depletion of light REEs, while most showed enrichment of heavy REEs. Positive Gd anomalies were found in most samples, while few samples suggested anthropogenic influence. Whether exogenous inputs or in vivo biofractionation lead to changes in REEs fractionated patterns require further analyses.

Describing the Accumulation, Concentration, and Amplification Effects of MPs Through the Food Chain

Microplastics (MP) are new pollutants that threaten the ecological environment and, therefore, human and animal health. Given the extensive utilization of plastics across various domains, MPs are commonly detected in the atmosphere, water bodies, terrestrial regions, and living organisms. Important accumulation points of MPs are air, soil, and water ecosystems. This study aims to summarize how animals are exposed to environmental MPs, identify the specific organs where these MPs accumulate, and assess the risks associated with different foods. The urrent research on MP pollution in ecosystems generally focuses on organisms living in water and soil, but unfortunately, there are significant deficiencies in the transmission routes of MPs in the food chain from soil to table. MPs build up in animals across the food chain, and their presence in animal- derived food products intensifies during processing and packaging. The transfer of MPs to food-producing animals has been understudied, particularly with regard to the important role of livestock in converting plant nutrients into proteins required for human consumption. It is understood that more research is needed, especially for contamination in animal foods. Conducting comprehensive risk assessments of MPs throughout the entire food chain is extremely important for food safety.

Exploring the genetic variability, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes from fresh produce, ready-to-eat hummus, and food-processing environments.

Listeria monocytogenes is ubiquitous in nature and persistent in food-processing facilities, farms, retail stores, and home and restaurant kitchens. Current research suggests ready-to-eat (RTE) products (including RTE hummus and fresh produce) to be of increasing interest and concern. These foods are typically stored at refrigeration temperatures suited to the survival of L. monocytogenes and are consumed without further processing. Since L. monocytogenes is ubiquitous in agricultural environments, the cultivation of fresh produce predisposes it to contamination. The contamination of RTE foods originates either from raw ingredients or, more commonly, from cross-contamination within food-processing facilities. Research on the food-processing environment has been recommended to reduce the incidence of L. monocytogenes in foods. The consumption of contaminated foods by immunocompromised individuals causes invasive listeriosis, with a 20% to 30% fatality rate despite treatment. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has reduced the effectiveness of modern medicine and may increase morbidity and mortality. Without epidemiological surveillance and identifying trends in disease determinants, no action can be taken to improve food safety and mitigate the risk of such outbreaks.

Enhanced Surveillance of >1100 Pesticides and Natural Toxins in Food: Harnessing the Capabilities of LC-HRMS for Reliable Identification and Quantification

The consequences of climate change along with diverse food regulations and agricultural practices worldwide are complexifying the occurrence and management of chemical contaminants in food. In this context, we present an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) approach for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of over 1100 pesticide residues, mycotoxins, and plant toxins in cereals and fruits and vegetables. Analytical conditions were optimized to maximize the scope of the targeted molecules, the reliability of compound identification, and quantification performance within a single method. The method was further transferred and validated in another laboratory to assess its ruggedness. Validation according to the SANTE 11312/2021v2 guidelines showed that 92% and 98% of the molecules fulfill the quantification criteria at the lowest validated level in the cereals and fruits and vegetables groups, respectively. Analysis of fifteen certified reference materials led to a 96% satisfactory rate of z-scores confirming method’s competitiveness. Furthermore, the occurrence of these contaminants was studied in 205 cereals and grains samples collected worldwide. The low µg/kg quantification limits make this LC-HRMS method a valuable tool to ensure compliance toward regulations and to screen for non-regulated substances for which occurrence data are crucial for an appropriate risk evaluation.

Low-dose deoxynivalenol exposure triggers hepatic excessive ferritinophagy and mitophagy mitigated by hesperidin modulated O-GlcNAcylation

The level and breadth of deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination in foods made with cereals have increased due to global warming. Consumption of DON-contaminated food and feed poses significant risks to human health and animal production. However, the mechanism by which prolonged exposure to low-dose DON leads to liver damage in animals and effective treatments remain unclear. Our investigation focused on the impact of varying DON exposure times on AML12 cells as well as the long-term liver damage caused by low-dose DON exposure in mice. In addition, this article investigated the unique role of hesperidin in mitigating hepatic ferroptosis induced by low-dose DON exposure. Our results imply that DON's suppression of O-GlcNAcylation exacerbated mitophagy by encouraging ferritinophagy and causing labile iron to aggregate within mitochondria. Furthermore, DON could increase NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy by De-O-GlcNAcylation FTH to trigger ferroptosis-associated liver injury in mice. Notably, hesperidin alleviated the susceptibility to ferroptosis by increasing O-GlcNAcylation levels and effectively attenuated the liver injury induced by low-dose DON exposure. This finding provides a new strategy for dealing with liver injury caused by low-dose DON exposure.

Bacillus velezensis CL197: a zearalenone detoxifying strain isolated from wheat with potential to be used in animal production.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, and cause contamination of food and feed, with impacts in animal production and in food production chain. Effective detoxifying methods, such as biodegradation, are therefore required. This study aimed to isolate microorganisms and screen ZEA detoxifying strains. As a result, 197 microorganisms were isolated, and six were initially selected after colorimetric screening. ZEA (1µg/mL) was added to culture media, and after 24h, all six microorganisms were able to degrade ZEA, without the formation of α-ZOL. One isolate eliminated ~ 99% of ZEA and was identified as Bacillus velezensis CL197. ZEA metabolites produced by the bacteria were evaluated, and no metabolites with greater or similar toxicity than ZEA were detected. This strain was applied to swine in vitro digestion, and up to 64% of ZEA was degraded. B. velezensis CL197 significantly degraded ZEA, demonstrating potential to be used as a detoxifying agent in the food production chain as a biocontrol agent.