Toxic Food Research Articles

Practical Approach of Trayopstambha in Preventing Autoimmune Disorders

Trayopstambha are – Aahar, Nidra and Brahmcharya. All of them are helpful for living a healthy life. In all autoimmune disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Erythematous, Celiac diseases, Polymyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 1 DM and Alopecia aerata body immune system is affected due to over activity of free radicals. Free radicals’ activity is increased due to disbalance in Trayopstambha. Aama Rasa is responsible for development of all autoimmune diseases. This Aama Rasa can be compared to free radical which causes destruction of healthy tissues. Aama's etiological factors may be classified as Aharja, Viharaja and Manasika. Not only food in larger amount, but also qualities such as Guru, Sheeta, Shushka, Ruksha, Vidahi, Viruddha Ahara (incompatible diet), Ajeernabhojana (indigestion), Asatmya Bhojana (toxic food) or Abhojana (self-restraint from food), Deevasvapna (keeping wakeful in the night and sleeping in the day), are chief factors accountable for the creation of Aama. The condition of Aama formation is also exaggerated by mental disorder due to disturbance in Nidra and Brahmcharya. Acharya Sushruta stressed that Nidana is the simple and uttermost basis for a treatment. Prevention is always better than a cure. If we follow proper regimen of Trayopstambha it makes metabolism better, decrease free radical activity in body and reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases.

Ninety-Day Subchronic Toxicology of Individual and Combined Toxicants from the Thermal Processing of Lipid-Rich Foods.

Oxidative derivatives of triacylglycerols (ox-TGs), aldehydes, and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) were simultaneously evaluated in a 90-day subchronic study, focusing on biological indicators, biochemical indicators, and serum metabolomics as the first part of integrated toxicity and interactions. After 90 days of feeding Kunming mice, coexposure to combined toxicants significantly inhibited the trend of liver weight gain, reduced the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), and decreased uric acid (UA) compared to individual toxicant exposure. A total of 21 and 31 biomarkers in female and male mice were identified, respectively. Co-exposure to combined toxicants might mitigate the changes in cytidine, CDP, dUMP, and dUDP involved in purine and pyrimidine metabolism caused by a single exposure, but exacerbate the changes in l-tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, which are involved in tryptophan metabolism. These results provided new insights into a comprehensive toxicity and interaction evaluation model of multiple combined toxicants in food.

Monitoring of genetically modified crops in food products in Singapore

The rising demand for food worldwide, coupled with advancements in genetic engineering technology aimed at producing advantageous genetically modified (GM) crops, have intensified the cultivation of GM crops and heightened their visibility in the food market. Many countries and regions, including Singapore, mandate risk assessment procedures for GM crops before approving them for food use. GM crops without safety assessment may be unsafe due to potential toxic or allergenic effects and food products containing GM ingredients must not contain false or misleading claims on labels. To monitor the compliance with regulatory requirements for GM food, a market monitoring study on local food products was conducted over a period of 2020 – 2023 on 15 types of food crops. A total of 485 food samples were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting seven common GM screening markers, which cover over 90% of approved and unapproved GM crops worldwide. Our study did not detect any unapproved GM ingredients in food products sold in Singapore. Moreover, the study revealed a notable prevalence of approved GM events in maize and soya-containing food products, at 37.5% and 38.3% respectively, consistent with observations from other countries. We identified two soya products that contained GM ingredients greater than 5% that were mislabelled as non-GMO. These findings underscore the significance of monitoring regimes for GM food in Singapore to ensure compliance with local pre-market approval and labelling requirements, potentially aiding in the development of risk management and communication strategies to address GM food safety concerns.

Fluorescence Entrenched Probe for Onsite Detection of Amoxicillin Residue in Bovine Milk.

A novel fluorescent probe (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-((pyrene-1-ylmethylene) amino)propanoic acid (PyT) was developed for the 'turn-on' detection of amoxicillin(AM), residues. The PyT molecule was developed by a simple condensation reaction between a biologically important tyrosine amino acid and pyrene carboxaldehyde. The small fluorophore molecule has spectacular photoluminescence properties such as large stock shift, high photostability, selectivity and sensitivity toward the analytes. The PyT upon dispersion in the liquid phase becomes highly luminescent possessing the restricted intramolecular rotation (RIR) and excited stated intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) properties which are the major criteria for aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) mechanism prevailing the aggregation caused quenching (ACQ). PyT molecule shows a binding constant of 3.285 × 104 L mol-1for amoxicillin (AM). The limit of detection(LOD) values are found to be 1.67µM. Consuming bovine milk with antibiotic residues exceeding the maximum residue limit (MRL) can lead to food toxicity and life threatening diseases in humans. The milk sample with AM antibiotic residue in presence of PyT probe shows a distinct blue colour which infers the selectivity and sensitivity of the probe towards the analyte. The fluorescence probe adheres with merits like on site and visual examination by naked eye without aid of any instruments.

Toxic food packaging chemicals found in humans

Toxic food packaging chemicals found in humans

Personalized Nutrition for Obesity Management: A Mini-Review

Abstract Obesity is a pro-inflammatory state and a chronic health condition, which falls within the spectrum of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). It is caused mainly by the consumption of excess calories and egregious food substances. A Personalized Food Avoidance Dietary Approach for Management of IMIDs (PFA-DAMI) addresses primary and secondary immune intolerances of different individuals to dietary constituents. Exposure to toxic food substances is responsible for inflammatory immune dysfunction that mediates obesity. Hence, a PFA-DAMI is promising for the management of obesity. T cell dysfunction disease mediating models describing inflammatory disease processes underlying IMIDs exist. However, they do not highlight inflammatory processes underlying the diseases concerning toxin-mediated epigenetic T cell dysfunction. Online searches were conducted on databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Biomed Central, and SciELO. Articles were reviewed using keywords, such as obesity, personalized nutrition, immune optimization/dysfunction, T lymphocyte activation/dysfunction, cytokines, and adipokines. There is a putative T cell toxin-mediated dysfunction disease model for IMIDs, which may apply to other diseases. The putative disease model may highlight the actual inflammatory immune dysfunctional processes underlying T cell disease mediation in inflammatory diseases, which may be validated by multiomic studies. Validation of the putative disease model using obesity as an example should pave the way for a better understanding of the role of personalized nutrition in obesity management.

Upgrading In Vitro Digestion Protocols with Absorption Models

Intestinal digestion and absorption are complex processes; thus, it is a challenge to imitate them realistically. There are numerous approaches available, with different disadvantages and advantages. The simplest methods to mimic absorption are the non-cell-based transport models but these lack important characteristics of enterocytes of the intestine. Therefore, the most often used method is to measure absorption through viable mammalian cells (most commonly Caco-2 cells, cultured on membrane insert plates), which not only assures the incorporation of brush border enzymes (responsible for the final digestion of peptides and disaccharides), it also simulates the absorption process. This means that influx/efflux transporter-facilitated transport, carrier-mediated transport, endocytosis, and transcytosis is also imitated besides passive diffusion. Still, these also lack the complexity of intestinal epithelium. Organoids or ex vivo models are a better approach if we want to attain precision but the highest accuracy can be achieved with microfluidic systems (gut-on-a-chip models). We propose that more research is necessary, and food absorption should also be studied on gut-on-a-chips, especially with fragmented organoids. Our review supports the choices of a proper intestinal epithelium model, which may have a key role in functional food development, nutrition studies, and toxicity assessment.

Polyols induce acute oxidative stress and mortality in Indian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae): potential for use as sugar-cum-toxin source in toxic sugar baits.

Development of insecticide resistance in the major malaria vectors has necessitated the development of novel vector control tools. One such strategy involves the use of toxic sugar baits that targets the sugar-feeding behaviour of mosquito vectors. In this study, we investigated the potential of polyols, as a toxic food (sugar) source in toxic sugar baits against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston. We examined the acute toxicity of six polyols, namely, erythritol, glycerol, mannitol, propylene glycol (PG), sorbitol, and xylitol on adult female An. stephensi mosquitoes at two different concentrations - 2% and 10%. We also studied changes in fecundity, egg hatchability and mid-gut peroxide levels induced by polyol exposure. Among the six polyol compounds tested, PG was most toxic and lethal followed by glycerol and erythritol (P < 0.001) compared to the control (sucrose). PG induced acute mortality at different tested concentrations. In the erythritol- and glycerol-fed groups, a dose-dependent effect on mortality was observed. Glycerol evidently reduced fecundity and egg-hatchability in gonotrophic cycles G1 and G2. Sucrose was the preferred food source (48%), followed by erythritol (18%), PG (10%) and glycerol (8%). Ingestion of polyols increased peroxide levels in mosquito guts, which persisted for extended durations ultimately resulting in rapid mortality (P < 0.05). The present study highlights the usefulness of sugar polyols for the development of toxic sugar baits with minimal yet effective ingredients. Further research could be focused on field experiments and on the exploration of synergistic effects of different polyols for optimization of field applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Bifunctional Novel Bipyridine Bridged Dicobaloxime Complex for Electrochemical Proton Reduction and Toxic Metanil Yellow Dye Detection

AbstractA new bipyridine bridged dicobaloxime complex BrCo(dpgh)2(4,4’‐bipyridine)Co(dpgH)2Br was synthesized and characterized by standard spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized complex was employed as an electrocatalyst for the proton reduction in the presence of acetic acid as an acid source. The catalytic efficiency was calculated to be 0.379. Subsequently the nanocomposite of the complex was prepared with g‐C3N4 nanosheet by hydrothermal method and the composite material was characterized by standard physical characterization techniques. When the nanocomposite was employed as a catalyst for electrochemical sensing of toxic food color Metanil yellow dye using gold electrode, the LOD value was found to be 0.09 nM. These studies show that the dicobaloxime acts as a bifunctional catalyst towards electrochemical proton reduction and for the detection of Metanil yellow dye.

Fluorescence-Guided Spatial Drug Screening in 3D Colorectal Cancer Spheroids.

The limited recapitulation of critical cancer features in 2D cultures causes poor translatability of preclinical results from in vitro assays to in vivo tumor models. This contributes to slow drug development with a low success rate. 3D cultures better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment, enabling more accurate predictions when screening drug candidates and improving the development of chemotherapeutics. Platinum (Pt) (IV) compounds are promising prodrugs designed to reduce the severe systemic toxicity of widely used Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Pt(II) drugs such as cisplatin. Here, this work presents spatiotemporal evaluations in 3D colorectal cancer (CRC) spheroids of mitochondria-targeting Pt(IV) complexes. CRC spheroids provide a greater pathophysiological recapitulation of in vivo tumors than 2D cultures by a marked upregulation of the ABCG2 chemoresistance marker expression. Furthermore, new 3D-staining protocols are introduced to evaluate the real-time decrease in mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨ) in CRC spheroids, and a Pt-sensing dye to quantify the Pt mitochondrial accumulation. Finally, this work demonstrates a correlation between in vitro results and the efficacy of the compounds in vivo. Overall, the CRC spheroids represent a fast and cost-effective model to assess the behavior of Pt compounds in vitro and predict their translational potential in CRC treatment.

Toxic tasting: how capuchin monkeys avoid grasshoppers’ chemical defenses

Platyrrhines consume many species of arthropods in the order Orthoptera. Some species of orthopterans can produce chemical defenses that render them toxic or unpalatable and thus act as predator deterrents. These species include the stick grasshoppers (family Proscopiidae), which are widely distributed in the Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil, which comprises part of the distribution of capuchin monkeys. Capuchin monkeys are omnivores and consume a wide variety of foods, including unpleasant-tasting, potentially toxic items, which they need to learn how to process. We describe the processing of stick grasshoppers (Stiphra sp.) by wild capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus) that live in Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, and compare how individuals of different age classes handle these potentially toxic food items. S. libidinosus predominantly avoided consuming the digestive tract, which contains toxic compounds, when feeding on stick grasshoppers. Immatures took longer than adults to process the stick grasshoppers, indicating that capuchins need to learn how to process the toxic digestive tract of these prey to avoid consuming it.

Insights into the early-life chemical exposome of Nigerian infants and potential correlations with the developing gut microbiome

Early-life exposure to natural and synthetic chemicals can impact acute and chronic health conditions. Here, a suspect screening workflow anchored on high-resolution mass spectrometry was applied to elucidate xenobiotics in breast milk and matching stool samples collected from Nigerian mother-infant pairs (n = 11) at three time points. Potential correlations between xenobiotic exposure and the developing gut microbiome, as determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, were subsequently explored. Overall, 12,192 and 16,461 features were acquired in the breast milk and stool samples, respectively. Following quality control and suspect screening, 562 and 864 features remained, respectively, with 149 of these features present in both matrices. Taking advantage of 242 authentic reference standards measured for confirmatory purposes of food bio-actives and toxicants, 34 features in breast milk and 68 features in stool were identified and semi-quantified. Moreover, 51 and 78 features were annotated with spectral library matching, as well as 416 and 652 by in silico fragmentation tools in breast milk and stool, respectively. The analytical workflow proved its versatility to simultaneously determine a diverse panel of chemical classes including mycotoxins, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), antibiotics, plasticizers, perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS), and pesticides, although it was originally optimized for polyphenols. Spearman rank correlation of the identified features revealed significant correlations between chemicals of the same classification such as polyphenols. One-way ANOVA and differential abundance analysis of the data obtained from stool samples revealed that molecules of plant-based origin elevated as complementary foods were introduced to the infants’ diets. Annotated compounds in the stool, such as tricetin, positively correlated with the genus Blautia. Moreover, vulgaxanthin negatively correlated with Escherichia-Shigella. Despite the limited sample size, this exploratory study provides high-quality exposure data of matched biospecimens obtained from mother-infant pairs in sub-Saharan Africa and shows potential correlations between the chemical exposome and the gut microbiome.

The Influence of Mesotrione on Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells and Possibility of Its Toxicity Mitigation by Cichoric Acid.

Mesotrione, as a widely used herbicide, is present in the environment in detectable amounts, causing serious damage. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of mesotrione on Caco-2 cells and the possibility of its toxicity mitigation by cichoric acid. Therefore, we analyzed the cytotoxicity of both these compounds and the selected oxidative stress parameters, apoptosis and interaction of both the tested compounds with the cell membrane and their accumulation within the cells. In cytotoxicity studies, the stimulating activity of mesotrione was observed, and simultaneously, the inhibitory effect of cichoric acid was noticed. This effect was related to the results of oxidative stress analysis and apoptosis measurements. The activity level of key enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) in Caco-2 cells exposed to cichoric acid was higher as compared to that of the control. The treatment with mesotrione did not induce apoptosis in the Caco-2 cells. The penetration of the studied compounds into the Caco-2 cells was measured by using an HPLC methodology, and the results indicate mesotrione's high penetration capacity. The distribution of charge on the surface of the cell membranes changed under the influence of both compounds. Considering the mutual interactions of beneficial and potentially toxic food ingredients, it should be noted that, despite the observed favorable trend, cichoric acid is not able to overcome the toxic and cancer-stimulating effects of this pesticide.

A pilot study of the contribution of energy-dense Caribbean diets to acrylamide exposure with associated health risks for a population of university students in Trinidad and Tobago

Previous studies on university students have indicated a significant decline in the consumption of fruits and vegetables complemented by an increase in energy-dense foods. The food toxicant, acrylamide, typically occurs in carbohydrate-rich, energy-dense foods that have been heated. Hence, this work presents an estimated dietary acrylamide exposure for university students in Trinidad and Tobago. A 2-day dietary recall method was used to obtain the food consumption information from 683 university students of differing sociodemographic backgrounds. The acrylamide exposure was estimated using a deterministic approach. The median acrylamide intake was estimated to be 1.39 µg/kg bw/day. The estimated mean acrylamide dietary intakes for the female and male population were 1.40 and 1.37 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. Coffee was determined to be the major dietary contributor to acrylamide exposure. However, bread was the food item that was most frequently consumed among the students. Using multiple linear regression, a possible correlation was detected between the acrylamide exposure and these variables: dietary habits (mostly eat out; p < 0.05), and Indian ethnicity (p < 0.10). Using the margin of exposure approach, dietary acrylamide exposure was found to be a health concern with regards to neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. An evaluation of the procedures and results from this pilot study was carried out for the potential of conducting a full-scale research project.

What one genus of showy moths can say about migration, adaptation, and wing pattern

The Ornate Moth, Utetheisa ornatrix, has served as a model species in chemical ecology studies for decades. Like in the widely publicized stories of the Monarch and other milkweed butterflies, the Ornate Moth and its relatives are tropical insects colonizing whole continents assisted by their chemical defenses. With the recent advances in genomic techniques and evo-devo research, it is becoming a model for studies in other areas, from wing pattern development to phylogeography, from toxicology to epigenetics. We used a genomic approach to learn about Utetheisa's evolution, detoxification, dispersal abilities, and wing pattern diversity. We present an evolutionary genomic analysis of the worldwide genus Utetheisa, then focusing on U. ornatrix. Our reference genome of U. ornatrix reveals gene duplications in the regions possibly associated with detoxification abilities, which allows them to feed on toxic food plants. Finally, comparative genomic analysis of over 100 U. ornatrix specimens from the museum with apparent differences in wing patterns suggest the potential roles of cortex and lim3 genes in wing pattern formation of Lepidoptera and the utility of museum-preserved collection specimens for wing pattern research.

Immunomodulatory effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera(L.) Dunal) and its impact on COVID-19

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera(L.) Dunal) is an Ayurvedic medicinal herb that has been known for its therapeutic properties for millennia. Ashwagandha contains several bioactive compounds, including withanolides, alkaloids, and saponins. They make ashwagandha a potent adaptogen and a versatile herb that can maintain optimal health and overall well-being. Ashwagandha reduces stress and anxiety, as well as boosts the immune system. Its anti-inflammatory properties treat arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. &#x0D; Ashwagandha produces an immunomodulatory effect on natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and leukemia cells. It enhances the activity of natural killer cells, increases lymphocyte function, and induces apoptosis in leukemia cells. However, its mechanism of action still remains understudied. &#x0D; Ashwagandha has an impact on COVID-19: phytochemical withanone blocks or weakens the interaction between S-protein and Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Withanoside V and somniferine inhibit viral transcription and replication caused by SARSCoV-2 Mpro. &#x0D; This review explores the potential utilization of ashwagandha in the food industry, i.e., its safety and toxicity, as well as the mechanism behind its immunomodulatory effect.

Post-Marketing Surveillance of the World's First Novel Cocktail of Rabies Monoclonal Antibodies: TwinRab™ in Real \-World Setting.

Rabies presents with a high fatality rate, which imposes a significant global public health challenge, and therefore the use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is crucial for prevention. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have emerged as a promising substitute for rabies immunoglobulins (RIGs) due to their high efficacy and standardized manufacturing process. A prospective, open-label, post-marketing surveillance study (PMS) was conducted at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College (BJMC), Pune. The study included patients aged more than 2 years who had recently sustained Category III-suspected rabid animal bite exposures. These patients were administered TwinRabTM at a dosage of 40 IU/kg in and around the wound as intralesional transfer, along with the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV). Adverse events (AEs) grading was performed with reference to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) toxicity grading. In this study, 215 subjects received the TwinRabTM mAb with a 100% completion rate. Out of 215 patients, three (1.3%) patients in the range of 18 to 65 years of age showed solicited local AEs, which were resolved after the appropriate treatment intervention, but causality assessment was non-assessable. The overall tolerability assessment showed positive ratings from doctors (91.63%) and patients (67.91%) for the mAb cocktail. The PMS demonstrated the safety of TwinRabTM in patients who experienced Category III-suspected rabid animal bites, thereby supporting its potential as an alternative option for post-exposure prophylaxis in the management of animal bites for the prevention of rabies.

Protective effects and mechanism of chemical- and plant-based selenocystine against cadmium-induced liver damage

Although selenium (Se) and cadmium (Cd) often coexist naturally in the soil of China, the health risks to local residents consuming Se-Cd co-enriched foods are unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chemical-based selenocystine (SeCys2) on cadmium chloride-induced human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell injury and plant (Cardamine hupingshanensis)-derived SeCys2 against Cd-induced liver injury in mice. We found that chemical- and plant-based SeCys2 showed protective effects against Cd-induced HepG2 cell injury and liver damage in mice, respectively. Compared with Cd intervention group, co-treatment with chemical- or plant-based SeCys2 both alleviated liver toxicity and ferroptosis by decreasing ferrous iron, acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain (ACSL) family member 4, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 3, reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxide levels, and increasing ACSL3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. In conclusion, chemical- and plant-based SeCys2 alleviated Cd-induced hepatotoxicity and ferroptosis by regulating SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling and lipid peroxidation. Our findings indicate that potential Cd toxicity from consuming foods grown in Se- and Cd-rich soils should be re-evaluated. This study offers a new perspective for the development of SeCys2-enriched agricultural products.

IR76b-expressing neurons in Drosophila melanogaster are necessary for associative reward learning of an amino acid mixture.

Learning where to find nutrients while at the same time avoiding toxic food is essential for survival of any animal. Using Drosophila melanogaster larvae as a study case, we investigate the role of gustatory sensory neurons expressing IR76b for associative learning of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. We found surprising complexity in the neuronal underpinnings of sensing amino acids, and a functional division of sensory neurons. We found that the IR76b receptor is dispensable for amino acid learning, whereas the neurons expressing IR76b are specifically required for the rewarding but not the punishing effect of amino acids. This unexpected dissociation in neuronal processing of amino acids for different behavioural functions provides a study case for functional divisions of labour in gustatory systems.

Whole genome sequencing of a novel sea anemone (Actinostola sp.) from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are usually considered as extreme environments with high pressure, high temperature, scarce food, and chemical toxicity, while many local inhabitants have evolved special adaptive mechanisms for residence in this representative ecosystem. In this study, we constructed a high-quality genome assembly for a novel deep-sea anemone species (Actinostola sp.) that was resident at a depth of 2,971 m in an Edmond vent along the central Indian Ocean ridge, with a total size of 424.3 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 383 kb. The assembled genome contained 265 Mb of repetitive sequences and 20,812 protein-coding genes. Taken together, our reference genome provides a valuable genetic resource for exploring the evolution and adaptive clues of this deep-sea anemone.