Presence Of Mycotoxins Research Articles

Comparison of a Newly Developed Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Multiple Mycotoxins in Red Pepper Powder

In this study, we aimed to establish a method for determination of multiple mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone in red pepper powder samples based on the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) approach for extraction and cleanup, with detection and quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in both positive- and negative-ion modes. The developed LC-MS/MS analytical method was compared with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to improve the reliability of our developed method. The linearity, precision, and accuracy were validated for the LC-MS/MS methods. The results obtained with the LC-MS/MS were linear, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of >0.998. The limits of detection and quantification for mycotoxins were 0.07 to 0.71 μg/kg and 0.20 to 1.81 μg/kg, respectively. Intra- and interday precision tests (expressed as the relative standard deviation) for each analyte were 1.58 to 5.97% and 0.97 to 9.01%, respectively. Average recoveries were 85.70 to 94.99%. The validation results for the ELISA were linear (R2 > 0.995), and recoveries were 77.13 to 93.93%. Both analytical methods were applied to determine the presence of mycotoxins in commercial red pepper powder samples from South Korea. Four of the total 56 samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, and 6 samples were contaminated with ochratoxin A; these results were consistent for the two methods (P > 0.05). Therefore, our developed LC-MS/MS with QuEChERS approach for determination of multiple mycotoxins may be useful for controlling the quality and safety of red pepper powder.

Influence of mycotoxin binders on the oral bioavailability of tylosin, doxycycline, diclazuril, and salinomycin in fed broiler chickens

The presence of mycotoxins in broiler feed can have deleterious effects on the wellbeing of the animals and their performance. Mycotoxin binders are feed additives that aim to adsorb mycotoxins in the intestinal tract and thereby prevent the oral absorption of the mycotoxin. The simultaneous administration of coccidiostats and/or antimicrobials with mycotoxin binders might lead to a reduced oral bioavailability of these veterinary medicinal products. This paper describes the influence of 3 mycotoxin binders (i.e., clay 1 containing montmorillonite, mica, and feldspars; clay 2 containing montmorillonite and quartz; and yeast 1 being a modified glucomannan fraction of inactivated yeast cells) and activated carbon on the oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of the antimicrobials doxycycline and tylosin, and the coccidiostats diclazuril and salinomycin. A feeding study with 40 15 day-old broilers was performed evaluating the effects of long-term feeding 2 g mycotoxin binder/kg of feed. The birds were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 birds each, i.e., a control group receiving no binder and 4 test groups receiving either clay 1, clay 2, yeast 1, or activated carbon mixed in the feed. After 15 d of feeding, both the control and each test group were administered doxycycline, tylosin, diclazuril, and salinomycin, consecutively, respecting a wash-out period of 2 to 3 d between each administration. The 4 medicinal products were dosed using a single bolus administration directly in the crop. After each bolus administration, blood was collected for plasma analysis and calculation of the main pharmacokinetic parameters and relative oral bioavailability (F = area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0–8 h) in the test groups/AUC0–8 h in the control group)*100). No effects were observed of any of the mycotoxin binders on the relative oral bioavailability of the coccidiostats (i.e., F between 82 and 101% and 79 and 93% for diclazuril and salinomycin, respectively). Also, no significant effects could be noticed of any of the mycotoxin binders on the relative oral bioavailability of the antimicrobials doxycycline and tylosin (i.e., F between 67 and 83% and between 43 and 104%, respectively).

Climatic conditions influence emerging mycotoxin presence in wheat grown in Romania – A 2-year survey

The correlation between the occurrence of four enniatins (ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1) and beauvericin (BEA) and the weather parameters during anthesis and preharvest period was studied in 97 wheat samples collected in 2014 and 2015 across three counties from central and south Romania (Braşov, Dâmboviţa, and Teleorman). The highest mean values of ENA (16.1 μg kg−1) and ENB (147.1 μg kg−1) were measured in the samples from Braşov county in the harvest year 2015, whereas for ENA1 and ENB1 the highest means (55.2 μg kg−1, and 108.0 μg kg−1, respectively) were noted in samples from Teleorman county in 2014. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were identified between ENA1 and ENB1 and the harvest year, coupled with a strong correlation with the weather parameters (ENA1: rs = 0.8745 and rs = 0.9326; ENB1: rs = 0.7814 and rs = 0.8909, for temperature and precipitation, respectively). Principal component analysis revealed that the influence of weather parameters on emerging mycotoxin concentrations in wheat samples varied by region. This study showed that the presence and levels of emerging mycotoxins are related to weather parameters from the respective Romanian region.

Presence of Enniatins and Beauvericin in Romanian Wheat Samples: From Raw Material to Products for Direct Human Consumption.

In this study, a total of 244 wheat and wheat-based products collected from Romania were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in order to evaluate the presence of four enniatins (ENs; i.e., ENA, ENA1, ENB, and ENB1) and beauvericin (BEA). For the wheat samples, the influence of agricultural practices was assessed, whereas the results for the wheat-based products were used to calculate the estimated daily intake of emerging mycotoxins through wheat consumption for the Romanian population. ENB presented the highest incidence (41% in wheat and 32% in wheat-based products), with its maximum levels of 815 μg kg−1 and 170 μg kg−1 in wheat and wheat-based products, respectively. The correlation between the concentrations of ENB and ENB1 in wheat grain samples and farm practices (organic or conventional) was confirmed statistically (p < 0.05). This is the first study that provides comprehensive information about the influence of agricultural practice on emerging Fusarium mycotoxin presence in Romanian wheat samples and the estimated daily intake of ENs and BEA present in wheat-based products for human consumption commercialized in Romania.

Degradation and excretion of theFusarium toxin deoxynivalenol by an edible insect, the Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.)

Insects could provide an alternative and more sustainable source of animal protein compared to conventional livestock. Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) can be grown on diets composed of organic by-products. However, these diets could be contaminated with mycotoxins. Thus far, little is known about possible retention, sequestration, excretion or detoxification of mycotoxins by edible insects.T. molitor larvae were grown on wheat flour naturally contaminated with mycotoxins among which deoxynivalenol (DON) was predominant (4.9 mg/kg), wheat flour spiked with 8 mg/kg pure DON, and uncontaminated wheat flour. Larval survival and weight gain on the three diets were compared. Survival was high for larvae on all dietary treatments (&gt;98%) and no difference in weight gain was observed when comparing larvae grown on uncontaminated control diet with larvae grown on contaminated diets (P=0.091). Presence of mycotoxins in larvae and larval faeces was analysed using LC-MS/MS. No DON or DON-derivatives were detected inT. molitor after harvest of the larvae, pointing to degradation by the larvae. Excretion of DON in larval faeces was ca. 14% of the amount of DON ingested for larvae grown on naturally contaminated diet and ca. 41% for larvae grown on DON-spiked diet. These are promising results with respect to food safety of mealworms or derived products grown on mycotoxin-contaminated feed. However, enzymatic degradation of DON inT. molitor, as well as possible toxicity of the resulting metabolites, remain to be further investigated.

Mold spoilage of bread and its biopreservation: A review of current strategies for bread shelf life extension

ABSTRACTMicrobial spoilage of bread and the consequent waste problem causes large economic losses for both the bakery industry and the consumer. Furthermore the presence of mycotoxins due to fungal contamination in cereals and cereal products remains a significant issue. The use of conventional chemical preservatives has several drawbacks, necessitating the development of clean-label alternatives.In this review, we describe current research aiming to extend the shelf life of bread through the use of more consumer friendly and ecologically sustainable preservation techniques as alternatives to chemical additives. Studies on the in situ-production/-expression of antifungal compounds are presented, with special attention given to recent developments over the past decade. Sourdough fermented with antifungal strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is an area of increasing focus and serves as a high-potential biological ingredient to produce gluten-containing and gluten-free breads with improved nutritional value, quality and safety due to shelf-life extension, and is in-line with consumer's demands for more products containing less additives. Other alternative biopreservation techniques include the utilization of antifungal peptides, ethanol and plant extracts. These can be added to bread formulations or incorporated in antimicrobial films for active packaging (AP) of bread. This review outlines recent progress that has been made in the area of bread biopreservation and future perspectives in this important area.

Immunohistochemical and clinical changes in the respiratory tract of chickens, naturally infected with the fowlpox virus

It is clear that currently the question of study of the pathological changes in the respiratory tract of chickens due to the impact of the fowlpox virus remains relevant, as the pathogenesis of nutritional deficiency, the presence of mycotoxins or the papilloma virus are characterized by the same clinical manifestations. We analyzed 88 chickens, naturally infected with the fowlpox virus, using clinical and immunohistochemical methods of investigation. Among all species of birds, we studied only chickens, data on which were collected for five years from veterinary clinics. The investigation revealed lesions basically characterized by the presence of changes in the typical structure of the chicken’s respiratory tract. As a result, we found clear criteria for the pathological process in the respiratory tract of chickens, which are typical for fowlpox. Thus, we discovered respiratory tract obstruction, as well as many intracytoplasmic pale eosinophilic inclusions in hyperplastic cells. We found an accumulation of mononuclear cells consisting mainly of macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma and mononuclear cells inside the mucous and muscle membranes. Bronchial lumens were blocked by necrotic and desquamated epithelial cells, red blood cells, bacterial colonies and amorphous eosinophilic material. We found accumulations of lymphocytes and macrophages in the parenchyma of the lungs. The hyperplastic epithelial cells reacted immunohistochemically with antibodies against the fowlpox virus in the respiratory tract. Immunoreaction occurred mainly in the cytoplasm of infected cells, inclusions, and necrotic and desquamated cells. The study proved immunohistochemical methods of investigation can be a useful additional tool for establishing a final diagnosis, especially in acute and subacute phases of the disease. The following respiratory signs were observed in severe cases of fowlpox: damage to the lungs in 33 cases (46.5%), parabronchium – 20 (28.2%), parabronchial connective tissue – 8 (11.3%), and mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea – 10 (14.1%). In mild and moderate cases of fowlpox, the following respiratory signs were observed: hyperemia and thickening of the mucous membrane of the trachea – 14 (82.4%), as well as hyperemia in the nasal conchae and paranasal sinuses – 3 (17.7%). In the future, it will be necessary to conduct deeper studies to detect pathological manifestations of this disease, not only in the respiratory tract, but also in other organs and systems of chickens.

Presence of Fusarium mycotoxins in feedstuffs and cow milk sampled from Croatian farms during 2015

Mycotoxins may contaminate food of animal origin due to the carry-over effect and represent a potential risk to human health. The problem of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination becomes an issue especially during rainy years characterised by substantial temperature changes. The aim of this study was to investigate into the level of Fusarium mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FUM) in maize silage (n=21), concentrated dairy cattle feeds (n=56) and cow milk samples (n=105), taken during 2015 from households located in four Croatian regions. The presence of mycotoxins was determined using validated ELISA methods. A high level of feedstuffs’ contamination was evidenced, especially with ZEN, with values higher than recommended observed in 9.5 % of maize silage samples. Fourteen point three percent (14.3 %) of milk samples were DON positive, with the toxin concentrations ranging from 5.4 to 67.3 μg/L. ZEN was determined in 94.3 % of milk samples, ranging from 0.3 to 88.6 μg/L. FUM were not detected in any of the analysed milk samples. Given the tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) defined for these mycotoxins, human health risks arising from the consumption of cow milk can generally be considered low, even in times characterised by weather conditions that facilitate the production of Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals subsequently used as dairy cattle feed. The exception represents particular milk samples in which high ZEN concentrations were found.

The nutritive value of marula (Sclerocarya birrea) seed cake for broiler chickens: nutritional composition, performance, carcass characteristics and oxidative and mycotoxin status

This study was aimed at investigating the nutritive value of marula seed cake (MSC) as an alternative protein source for broilers. In a completely randomised design involving six replicate pens of five chickens assigned to each of five treatments, body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and carcass characteristics were measured in an experiment in which 150 28-day-old broilers were fed maize-based diets containing, respectively, 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% MSC at finisher phase. The results showed MSC to be remarkably high in CP (470.0 g/kg DM) and EE (343.5 g/kg DM), with moderate CF (58.2 g/kg DM), ash (54.3 g/kg DM), Ca (1.1 g/kg DM) and P (11.0 g/kg DM). Whilst very poor in lysine, MSC was found to be rich in methionine, cyst(e)ine, arginine and glutamic acid; it also contains good levels of valine, glycine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, phenylalanine, serine, proline and alanine. Also, it contained 85.24% oleic (OA), 9.65% palmitic and 5.11% stearic acids, with a high peroxide value and low levels of mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin. BWG, FI and FCE of broiler chickens significantly decreased (P < 0.001) as the dietary level of MSC increased. Further, dietary MSC significantly decreased bird live weight at slaughter (P < 0.001), plucked weight (P < 0.001), dressed weight (P < 0.001) and weights of the liver (P < 0.001) and neck (P < 0.05). The results therefore demonstrate MSC to be a good source of CP, fat, Ca, P, amino acids (except lysine) and OA that can replace soya bean meal (SBM) in broiler diets. However, its use is currently limited by lipid peroxidation and presence of mycotoxins.

HPLC-DAD-FLD Method for Simultaneous Determination of Mycotoxins in Wheat Bran.

Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A and zearalenone are the most important mycotoxins that everyone on its own, in groups or simultaneously contaminate cereals. The external layers of cereal grains (bran) apart from health promoting ingredients are also the most contaminated part with reference to mycotoxin's presence. Therefore, consumption of a high fiber wheat-based diet represent an increased risk to consumer's health. The objective of this study was to develop a simple and reliable high performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of these mycotoxins in wheat bran (WB). A double extraction was applied with phosphate buffered saline/methanol and for the clean-up a multi-immunoaffinity column was utilized. The detection was carried out with diode-array and fluorescence detectors linked with a post-column photochemical reactor. After optimization of the chromatographic conditions, all mycotoxins were eluted within ~26 min. Limits of detection for each mycotoxin (0.12-12.58 µg/kg) were below the maximum levels provisioned by European Union regulations. Good linearity was observed for the analytes (r2 ≥ 0.9980). The recovery of analyzed mycotoxins ranged from 70.2 to 105.8%, with a relative standard deviation <12%. The method was successfully applied to quantify mycotoxins in 34 WB samples obtained after pearling of grains that were collected from different regions of Greece.

Multi-MycotoxinAnalysisinDurumWheatPastaby LiquidChromatographyCoupledtoQuadrupole OrbitrapMassSpectrometry.

A simple and rapid multi-mycotoxin method for the determination of 17 mycotoxins simultaneously is described in the present survey on durum and soft wheat pasta samples. Mycotoxins included in the study were those mainly reported in cereal samples: ochratoxin-A (OTA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZON), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-AcDON and 15-AcDON), nivalenol (NIV), neosolaniol (NEO), fusarenon-X, (FUS-X), T-2 toxin (T-2) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2), fumonisin B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2), and four emerging mycotoxins: three enniatins (ENA, ENA1, and ENB), and beauvericin (BEA). Twenty-nine samples were analyzed to provide an overview on mycotoxin presence: 27 samples of durum wheat pasta, and two samples of baby food. Analytical results concluded that trichothecenes showed the highest incidence, mainly DON, NIV, and HT-2 toxin, followed by ZON and ENB, while NEO, FUS-X, OTA, AFB1, and FUM were not detected in any sample. The highest contents corresponded to ENB and ranged from 91.15 µg/kg to 710.90 µg/kg.

Effect of agronomic programmes with different susceptibility to deoxynivalenol risk on emerging contamination in winter wheat

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most prevalent mycotoxin in small cereal crops throughout the world, and its occurrence is closely linked to the presence of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease. In order to minimize the sanitary risk, wheat cropping systems are commonly designed to control DON contamination, as this represents the main target contaminant. However, several other mycotoxins and secondary metabolites produced by Fusarium and other fungal species have been detected in wheat. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the application of agronomic programmes with different susceptibility to DON contamination could also affect the occurrence of emerging mycotoxins in wheat kernels. Field experiments have been conducted in North Italy, under naturally-infected conditions, over a period of 3 growing seasons, by comparing 4 field programmes, which were constituted by the combination of wheat cultivars (a durum wheat variety that is susceptible to DON contamination and a common moderately resistant one) and 2 fungicide applications at heading (untreated control compared to an azole application at heading). Grain samples have been analyzed by means of a dilute-and-shoot multi-mycotoxin LC–MS/MS method, and 43 fungal metabolites were detected. In addition to DON, the most abundant compounds were aurofusarin, culmorin and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, which were detected in all the growing seasons and agronomic strategies. Other trichothecenes and zearalenone derivatives were also found, but in clearly lower concentrations. Contamination by enniatins and moniliformin, produced by other Fusarium species e.g. Fusarium avenaceum, alternariol, alternariol methyl ether and tentoxin, produced by Alternaria species, has been observed for all the compared growing seasons. The presence of other mycotoxins and secondary metabolites was clearly affected by the climatic conditions: fumonisins, beauvaricin, bikaverin, fusaric acid and butenolid were detected in the warmer growing seasons, while chrysogine, infectopyrone, secalonic acid and ergot alkaloids (sum of 13 toxins) were only found in the more rainy and cool seasons. Equisetin, decalonectrin, toxin T-2 and HT-2 were only found in traces. The application of the field programmes clearly affected DON contamination in each growing season: a significant increase in this toxin has been observed moving from the lowest risk agronomic strategy to the highest one. The application of the most favourable DON control field programme (a moderately resistant variety combined with fungicide application at heading) reduced the content of this mycotoxin by 89%, compared to the worst programme (untreated susceptible variety). The application of the less risky agronomic strategy for DON contamination led to a significant reduction (>84%) of all the other mycotoxins produced by the DON producing fungal species. Moreover, although the considered agronomic factors (variety susceptibility and fungicide application) resulted in a control efficacy that varied in function of the environmental conditions and the type of mycotoxin, the results show a clear reduction trend, after the application of agronomic strategies that are able to minimize the DON content, for almost all the other Fusarium, Alternaria, Claviceps and Penicillium metabolites. The results summarized in this work, which have been obtained under different environmental and agronomical conditions, allow a first assessment to be made of the agronomic strategies that could be applied to control emerging mycotoxins in wheat.

Forthcoming Challenges in Mycotoxins Toxicology Research for Safer Food-A Need for Multi-Omics Approach.

The presence of mycotoxins in food represents a severe threat for public health and welfare, and poses relevant research challenges in the food toxicology field. Nowadays, food toxicologists have to provide answers to food-related toxicological issues, but at the same time they should provide the appropriate knowledge in background to effectively support the evidence-based decision-making in food safety. Therefore, keeping in mind that regulatory actions should be based on sound scientific findings, the present opinion addresses the main challenges in providing reliable data for supporting the risk assessment of foodborne mycotoxins.

Fungos e aflatoxinas no arroz: ocorrência e significado na saúde do consumidor

Resumo O arroz é um dos cereais mais consumidos no Brasil e no mundo. Devido ao grande impacto do consumo de arroz na população, estudos sobre a qualidade deste produto são de grande importância. É um ótimo substrato para a produção de micotoxinas e, quando os fungos toxigênicos encontram condições de crescer e produzir toxinas, estes as produzem em grandes quantidades. Embora não seja comum a presença de micotoxinas, existem alguns relatos sobre a ocorrência de aflatoxinas e fungos aflatoxigênicos no arroz. O presente artigo é uma revisão sobre os aspectos gerais do arroz, sua produção, ocorrência de fungos, aflatoxinas e micotoxinas no Brasil e no mundo, bem como sobre a redução de aflatoxinas durante o processamento do arroz.

Microbiological Contamination at Workplaces in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Station Processing Plant Biomass

The aim of the study was to evaluate the microbial contamination at a plant biomass processing thermal power station (CHP). We found 2.42 × 103 CFU/m3 of bacteria and 1.37 × 104 CFU/m3 of fungi in the air; 2.30 × 107 CFU/g of bacteria and 4.46 × 105 CFU/g of fungi in the biomass; and 1.61 × 102 CFU/cm2 bacteria and 2.39 × 101 CFU/cm2 fungi in filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs). Using culture methods, we found 8 genera of mesophilic bacteria and 7 of fungi in the air; 10 genera each of bacteria and fungi in the biomass; and 2 and 5, respectively, on the FFRs. Metagenomic analysis (Illumina MiSeq) revealed the presence of 46 bacterial and 5 fungal genera on the FFRs, including potential pathogens Candida tropicalis, Escherichia coli, Prevotella sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp.). The ability of microorganisms to create a biofilm on the FFRs was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also identified secondary metabolites in the biomass and FFRs, including fumigaclavines, quinocitrinines, sterigmatocistin, and 3-nitropropionic acid, which may be toxic to humans. Due to the presence of potential pathogens and mycotoxins, the level of microbiological contamination at workplaces in CHPs should be monitored.

Impact of fusarium mycotoxins on swine health - field observations

Mycotoxins are structurally diverse fungal metabolites that can contaminate a variety of dietary components consumed by animals and humans. The aim of this paper was to present the field observations of clinical and pathological consequences on swine health in the cases when Fusarium mycotoxins were detected in swine feed. The material for research included the samples from swine farms located in the region of Vojvodina, where health disorders resembling intestinal problems in different swine categories were detected. The applied research methods included: epidemiological and clinical evaluation, gross pathology examination, bacteriological tissue testing originating from diseased dead animals. The presence of deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin and zearalenone (ZEA) in thirteen complete swine feed mixtures were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, using Ridascreen?FAST DON, Ridascreen?FAST T2, and Ridascreen?FAST Zearalenon test kits (R-Biopharm, Germany). By clinical and pathological examination, the lesions predominantly located in digestive tract were observed in different swine categories. The problem of persistent enteric infections in suckling piglets and alteration of growth performance were notified in weaners and fatteners. In adult categories, reduced feed consumption, sometimes distinct feed refusal and vomiting were observed. In all examined samples of complete feed mixtures for different swine categories the concentration of DON exceeded the maximum permitted levels, but also the presence of other Fusarium mycotoxins was detected. The obtained results indicate the existence of feed mixtures contamination with low levels of Fusarium mycotoxins and their possible positive interaction with etiological agents present in swine farms.

The Presence of Some Mycotoxins in Corn Grown in Turkey

The Presence of Some Mycotoxins in Corn Grown in Turkey

Molecular docking analysis of newly synthesized 2- morpholinoquinoline derivatives with antifungal potential toward Aspergillus fumigatus

The present paper is concerned with the molecular docking analysis of newly synthesized 2-morpholinoquinoline derivatives with antifungal potential toward Aspergillus fumigatus. The purpose of the molecular docking analysis was to determine potential interactions between the analyzed compounds and the active site of the enzyme glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase, as well as to reveal which molecular features (the presence of different substituents or isomers) could be responsible for significant antifungal activity of the tested compounds. The compounds with the highest antifungal potential toward pathogenic and saprotrophic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus were docked, and the results were compared with the docking of griseofulvin, which is an antifungal drug used in the treatment of various types of dermatophytoses. Newly discovered antifungal agents are very important in medicine, as well as in agriculture. The prevention of the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed products is one of the urgent tasks. Therefore, every effort which leads to discovery of their mechanism of action and determination of side effects is precious. The present study can be considered a contribution to the analysis and selection of newly discovered antifungals from the 2-morpholinoquinoline family, and one step forward to their practical use in medicine and agriculture. The obtained results reveal the possible reason why the newly synthesized 2-morpholinoquinoline expresses even higher antifungal activity toward Aspergillus fumigatus than griseofulvin, a commercially available antifungal therapeutic.

Assessment of microbiological quality of raw medicinal plants used for the preparation of Ayurvedic drugs

The present study was carried out to know the microbiological quality of raw medicinal plant material available in the market used for the preparation of Ayurvedic drugs. The raw medicinal plant samples tested contained fungi viz. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Rhizopus spp., Alternaria alternata, Fusarium spp. and bacteria viz. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella spp. The presence of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium spp. in samples suggest there might be chances of mycotoxin presence. The presence of “Enterobacteriaceae family and other firmicutes bacteria” reflect the situation regarding fecal contamination. Out of 20 samples, 7 samples for bacteria and 18 samples for fungi were exceeded their individual permissble limit set by WHO.

Are Treated Celiac Patients at Risk for Mycotoxins? An Italian Case-Study.

Urinary biomarkers of mycotoxin exposure were evaluated in a group of celiac patients (n = 55) and in a control group of healthy subjects (n = 50) following their habitual diet. Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisin B1 (FB1) were monitored in 105 urinary samples collected from the two groups. Dietary habits were also recorded through compilation of a seven-day weighed dietary diary. Biomarkers of mycotoxin exposure were detected in 21 celiac patients and in 15 control subjects, corresponding to about 34% of total participants. In particular, ZEN was the most detected mycotoxin among all the studied subjects with a total of 19 positive cases. Results did not show a statistically significant difference in mycotoxin exposure between the two groups, and the presence of specific mycotoxins was not related to the intake of any particular food category. Our findings suggest little urgency of specific regulation for gluten free products, although the prevalence of exposure observed in free-living diets of both celiac and healthy subjects underlines the need of a constant surveillance on mycotoxins occurrence at large.