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Managing deoxynivalenol (DON) risks is crucial for the sustainability of small grain farms. One approach involves profitable utilization of contaminated grain resources, addressing potential losses from food safety concerns. This study explored distillation as a high-value alternative for utilizing DON-contaminated grain. Naturally DON-contaminated rye and wheat were used in two pilot-scale distillation runs involving milling, mashing, fermentation, and distillation. The ground grain, slurry, fermented mash, and post-distillation mash were sampled during process. For the distilled spirit, 29 fractionated samples, each containing 125 ml, were collected starting with the first drop of liquor. The fractionated samples were sequentially combined into 6 pooled samples of up to 5 individual fractions. If a pooled sample had a DON level above the lower limit of quantification, samples of the pool were tested individually. All distillate samples were tested by ELISA with a limit of quantification at 0.05 µg/ml and a limit of detection at 0.01 µg/ml. For both rye and wheat runs, DON levels in all distillate fractions were consistently below 1 µg/ml, reducing from barely quantifiable to below 0.01 µg/ml. The DON levels in ground rye and wheat were 3.62 and 2.69 µg/g, respectively. In the rye distilled spirit, the first pooled sample had a DON level of 0.1 µg/ml, and the first two fractions of that pool had DON levels of 0.1 and 0.06 µg/ml. In the wheat distilled spirit, the first pooled sample had a DON level of 0.05 µg/ml, and the first fraction of that pool had DON level of 0.12 µg/ml. All other distilled spirits had DON levels below 0.01 µg/ml. The results showed that distilled liquor from DON-contaminated rye and wheat contains very low DON levels at most. From a food safety perspective, considering DON-contaminated grain as an ingredient for distilled spirits appears viable.

The mycotoxin tenuazonic acid (TeA) inhibits photosynthesis and is expected to be developed as a bioherbicide to control Ageratina adenophora that is one of the most serious invasive alien plants in China. New leaves sprouting from A. adenophora at low temperatures (LT) in early spring are less sensitive to TeA compared to those growing in summer. However, the molecular mechanism of LT-caused decrease in the susceptibility of A. adenophora to TeA is unclear. In this study, three singlet oxygen-responsive genes (SORGs) and three jasmonic acid responsive genes (JARGs) were cloned to further probe the role of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) signaling during TeA-induced disease development in A. adenophora leaves exposed to LT. TeA triggered chloroplast-derived 1 O 2 production as a result of photosystem II (PSII) photoinhibition during leaf lesion formation in A. adenophora. Moreover, TeA indeed induced the expression of SORGs and JARGs as well as a high level of JA generation, activating the 1 O 2 signaling pathway in A. adenophora. LT (12°C) pretreatment can cause PSII photoinhibition and increase the SORG AaAAA-ATPase expression level in A. adenophora leaves, meaning that 1 O 2 signaling was activated by LT. Thus TeA led to less increase of the SORGs and JARGs expression and JA level in plants pretreated by LT compared with non-pretreated plants, although both of them had the same level of 1 O 2 production after TeA treatment. It was concluded that the low susceptibility to TeA of A. adenophora subjected to LT can be attributed to the occurrence of 1 O 2 acclimation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Citrinin (Cit) is a metabolite of Monascus Aspergillus that is known to be nephrotoxic and affects the safety of Monascus products. Here, we investigated the effects of an intervention with bioactive Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSPS) on Cit-induced toxic damage in populations with dietary patterns characterized by alcohol consumption. Our results showed that the PSPS intervention significantly increased the levels of intestinal Cit and its metabolite M1. Additionally, the PSPS intervention mitigated intestinal damage, as well as liver and kidney stress, and flora disruption induced by combined exposure to Cit and alcohol. It also promoted the recovery of Lactobacillus abundance. However, there was no significant improvement in hippocampal damage. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the PSPS significantly influenced the metabolic pathways involved in energy metabolism in liver and kidney, such as aspartic acid and tyrosine metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the reduction of Cit metabolites and the differential metabolites in the liver and kidney. Our results demonstrated that the PSPS intervention showed promise in improving intestinal flora imbalances, enhancing the barrier function against Cit, alleviating intestinal, liver, and kidney damage, and addressing the metabolic disorders along the gut-liver-kidney axis resulting from the co-exposure to Cit and alcohol., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A large-scale study was conducted to explore AFB1 contamination in feed samples using Thin Layer Chromatography, following an AOAC protocol. Samples were identified which were not compliant with the maximum limits for AFB1 as regulated in the United States and Pakistan. Of a total of 923 samples, 51 samples (5.5%) were not compliant according to Pakistan and 267 (28.9%) were not compliant with US-FDA standards. The overall prevalence of non-compliant samples of compound feed was 26.2% ( n  = 117) according to US-FDA standards, while none of the samples were non-compliant according to Pakistan standards. Among feed ingredients, the overall prevalence of non-compliant samples was 10.7% ( n  = 51) and 31.4% ( n  = 150) according to Pakistan and USFDA standards, respectively. Non-compliant feed with respect to AFB1 contamination was highly prevalent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, posing a serious threat to production performance and animals health.

Sensitive and simplified detection of a mycotoxin such as deoxynivalenol (DON) is crucial for food safety. In recent years, the CRISPR/Cas technology has demonstrated significant potential in detecting non-nucleic acids. Herein, we present a triple enzyme-assisted fluorescence immunoassay (TEFIA) that integrates alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-regulated DNAzyme cleavage with the CRISPR/Cas12a assay for the accurate detection of mycotoxin. By employing this method for detecting DON, we exhibit a low detection limit of 0.05 ng/mL and a satisfactory linear response between 0.1 and 10 ng/mL. This performance exceeds the conventional sensitivity levels found in traditional methods. TEFIA also demonstrates a good correlation with ic-ELISA for testing DON in real samples. Thus, it offers a robust and efficient detection platform for DON in complex matrices. Furthermore, TEFIA can be employed to identify various targets of interest by merely altering the antibody-antigen pairs, indicating its great potential in a wide range of applications.

Breast milk is a complete and nutritious food for newborns and infants, but it may be contaminated with Aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ), which endangers consumers' health. Several studies from various regions have determined the concentration and prevalence of AFM 1 in mother milk. In this study, an attempt was made to meta-analyze the concentration and prevalence of AFM 1 and estimate the health risk of infants. The concentration and prevalence of AFM 1 in the countries subgroup were meta-analyzed in the random effects model (REM), and also the effect over time on the prevalence of AFM 1 was determined by meta-regression. Finally, the human risk in infants was estimated via the margin of exposure (MOE S ) in different countries. The five countries with the highest prevalence of AFM 1 in mother milk were observed in Jordan (100.00), Tanzania (100.00), Mexico (97.00%), Lebanon (93.69%), and Colombia (90.00%). The pooled prevalence of AFM 1 in mother milk was 54.48%, 95% CI (42.99-65.73). The five countries with the highest concentration of AFM 1 in mother milk were observed: Egypt (570 µg/l), Sudan (413 µg/l), Cameroon (315.00 µg/l), Serbia (175 µg/l), and Tanzania (70 µg/l). The pooled prevalence of AFM 1 in mother milk was 6.00, 95% CI (5.80-6.90(. Except for Egypt, infants in other countries are at an acceptable health risk (MOEs > 10,000). Considering the unacceptable risk due to the consumption of milk containing AFM 1 in Egypt, it is suggested that programs be carried out to control the quality of mother milk., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Ochratoxin A (OTA) poses significant risks to both environment and human health, necessitating the development of rapid and sensitive detection methods. Lateral flow immunosensors (LFIs) typically use monoclonal antibodies and artificial antigens for mycotoxin detection; however, the preparation of these components is time-intensive, laborious, costly, and environmentally harmful. Herein, we developed an innovative genetic engineering-powered colorimetric/fluorescent dual-mode LFI (CM/FL-dLFI) using nanobodies and the mimotope peptide (MP) of OTA. Initially, a heptameric bifunctional fusion (sfGFP-C4bpα-Y4) containing the superfolder green fluorescent protein, the C4-binding protein α-chain, and the MP Y4 was constructed. The fusion was subsequently labeled on gold nanoflowers (AuNFs) to create the AuNFs@sfGFP-C4bpα-Y4 probe, which can be captured by the nanobody heptamer (Nb-C4bpα) and provides colorimetric/fluorescent signals. The optimized CM/FL-dLFI achieved a colorimetric limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 ng/mL and a fluorescent LOD of 0.05 ng/mL. It exhibited high selectivity for OTA, good recovery rates of 82.85-102.81 % with relative standard deviations not exceeding 14 %, and excellent long-term stability. Moreover, it showed strong correlation with high-performance liquid chromatography in the analysis of 11 real pepper samples. Therefore, this study highlights the promising application potential of nanobodies and MPs in developing an economical and eco-friendly LFI for OTA detection in pepper., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mycotoxin elimination is one of the significant concerns in the food industry. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel non-thermal method with high potential in this regard. This study aimed to evaluate the dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma effect on fresh-cut apple slices contaminated with patulin. The contaminated slices were subjected to a 17-23 kV range of DBD for 2.5-10 min and stored for 14 days in the refrigerator. This treatment eliminated the patulin and total viable count (TVC) by 23 kV power and 2.5- and 8.5-min exposure. The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity also decreased by 12 %, 47 %, and 28.5 % in the 1st, 7th, and 14th days of storage, respectively. Along with the moisture and vitamin C increment, the phenolics and browning index (BI) declined, which shows the overall acceptance increment. This study demonstrated the potential of CAP in improving the quality and shelf-life of ready-to-eat products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a common food contaminant and poses a significant threat to human health, which requires rigorous monitoring. Mimotope peptides (MPs) are commonly used as non-toxic alternatives to toxic small molecules in eco-friendly immunoassays. Herein, with an anti-OTA nanobody as the target protein, cyclic 7-mer MPs of OTA were screened using phage display and immunomagnetic separation. The phage MPs (PMP) with the highest sensitivity and its alkaline phosphatase-tagged MP fusion (ALP-MP) were used to develop a PMP-based chemiluminescent immunoassay (PMP-CLIA) and an ALP-MP-based CLIA (AMP-CLIA). After optimization, PMP-CLIA and AMP-CLIA exhibited a limit of detection of 0.128 ng/mL and 0.232 ng/mL. Good accuracy and selectivity were confirmed for both CLIAs by recovery experiments and cross-reactions. Moreover, they were validated by high performance liquid chromatography in detecting real pepper samples. Thus, two CLIAs based on the nanobody and MPs were demonstrated as reliable tools for monitoring OTA in pepper., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Fusarium Head Blight is one of the most devastating fungal diseases of cereals worldwide, causing significant yield losses and affecting grain quality. The predominant role of the interactions within the Fusarium communities as well as with members of the phytomicrobiome in disease onset and development has gained increasing attention. Understanding the diversity and dynamics of bacterial and fungal communities across different substrates colonized by Fusarium spp. in wheat fields can provide valuable insights into disease ecology and lead to the discovery of native microorganisms with biocontrol potential. In this study, the bacterial and fungal communities associated with soil, maize residues, and wheat grains, were studied based on metabarcoding sequencing of 16S rRNA and ITS2 regions in six wheat fields over two years and characterized by different levels of FHB disease pressure and mycotoxin contamination. Overall, the diversity and composition of microbial communities were primarily influenced by substrate type followed by geographic origins of fields and sampling time, notably for grains and residues while the soil microbiome was less impacted by environmental fluctuations. Notably, our findings suggest that crop residues function as a transient substrate between soil and wheat microbiomes. In addition, we found several taxa either strongly negatively correlated to Fusarium spp. and/or to levels of Fusarium DNA or mycotoxins in grains or residues, including Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Paenibacillus, Curtobacterium, Pseudomonas, Pantoea, and Sphingomonas, which could be potential antagonistic agents against Fusarium spp. Altogether, these findings provide novel insights into the field microbiome functioning and their complex interactions with the Fusarium communities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The growing interest in peanut production in Italy represents a significant opportunity from both an agronomic and economic standpoint. Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB1) contamination is a major concern with imported peanuts; developing an Italian peanut supply chain can ensure a well-managed local product, with special care for food safety. This study aimed to provide a first overview of Italian peanut production, focusing on the Aspergillus section Flavi and AFB1 occurrence in the raw product. During 2022 and 2023, 18 peanut fields were sampled at complete maturity across the Italian production areas, considering three varieties: Lotos, SIS-AR_01, and IPG914. The results showed the occurrence of Aspergillus sec. Flavi in peanut pods, even though AFB1 was always absent or in traces, well below the European legal limits. These findings confirmed the quality of Italian peanut production, even though further research is requested to confirm the positive results of this first report.

Citrinin (CIT) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin commonly found in a broad range of foods, including cereals, spices, nuts, or Monascus fermentation products. Analyses have shown that CIT is present in processed foods in significantly lower concentrations than in unprocessed materials. Modified forms of CIT arising during food processing may provide an explanation for the discrepancy. This study deals with the thermal stability of CIT and the formation of reaction products of CIT with carbohydrates, followed by toxicological evaluations using cell culture models. HPLC-HRMS degradation curves of CIT heated in different matrix model systems were recorded, and the formation of decarboxycitrinin (DCIT), the main degradation product, was quantified. Additionally, chemical structures of reaction products of CIT with carbohydrates were tentatively identified using MS/MS spectra and stable isotope labelling. Subsequently, the degradation of CIT during biscuit baking was studied, and carbohydrate-bound forms of CIT were detected after enzymatic starch digestion. The formation of DCIT could explain the majority of CIT degradation, but, depending on the process, covalent binding to carbohydrates can also be highly relevant. Cytotoxicity of DCIT in IHKE-cells was found to be lower compared to CIT, while the toxicity as well as the intestinal metabolism of carbohydrate-bound CIT was not evaluated.

Sterigmatocystin is a carcinogenic and genotoxic mycotoxin that remains a significant health risk to human and animal populations. The present study examined three different methods (biological, physical, and chemical) for STC removal. The nanolignin indicated 81.76 ± 3.94 % removal of STC, with a reaction rate of 4.0 × 10 -5  min -1 . In the chemical-induced method, the application of gaseous ozone for effective removal and degradation of STC was studied. Ozone treatment resulted in 84.12 ± 4.23 % degradation of STC with a half-life of 15.51 min. The adsorption behaviour of lactic acid bacteria, in the biological method indicated a 79.75 ± 2.92 % removal of STC. Kinetic parameters and isotherms were analysed followed by parameter optimization by response surface methodology for maximum removal of STC. The requirement of less time and a relatively lower dose of ozone for removal of STC indicates this method to be a potential option for the mitigation of the toxin., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, L., can be an important component of the circular economy because of its ability to transform a variety of agricultural wastes and byproducts into valuable livestock feed. Analysis of their ability to endure toxins coupled with their potential to transfer contaminants to higher trophic levels is not complete. Fumonisins, produced primarily by Fusarium verticillioides (Hypocreales: Netriaceae) (Sacc.) Nirenberg (1976), are mycotoxins likely to be encountered by T. molitor in corn and other grain byproducts. Tenebrio molitor larvae were reared on a simulated diet of corn and other grain byproducts treated with a range of maximum recommended fumonisin B1 levels for different livestock feeds. We observed that T. molitor were able to survive, grow, and reduce by excretion and metabolism their retained fumonisin B1 levels by up to 99.7% compared to the diet they consumed. Unknown metabolic processes were inferred from the significantly reduced content of fumonisin B1 in the frass (63.1% to 73.2%) as compared to the diet and by the first report of long-chain acylated fumonisin B1 derivatives in insect frass., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America 2024.)

Introduction: Alfalfa is used as a feed source for animals and plays an important role in animal nutrition. Nutritional value analysis and contamination evaluation are essential for sustainable utilisation to ensure the quality and safety of alfalfa., Aim: We aimed to evaluate the nutritional value and safety of alfalfa in five major regions in China-the Northeast Plain (NP), Inner Mongolia Plateau (IMP), Northwest Desert Oasis (NO), Loess Plateau (LP), and Huanghuaihai Plain (HP)., Methods: Ninety-five samples representing 44 large-scale pratacultural companies were collected and analysed., Results: The average nutritional values of alfalfa hay were 16.43% crude protein (CP), 44.01% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 33.22% acid detergent fibre (ADF), 10.78% crude ash (Ash), and 91.90% dry matter (DM), which were better in the NO and IMP areas; in particular, the α-linolenic acid value of alfalfa was the highest in the IMP area (p < 0.05). The detection rates of mycotoxins, microorganisms, and heavy metals were 100%. The over-standard rates of total bacteria count and total mould count were 66.7% and 75.8%, respectively, while the over-standard rate of chromium in heavy metals was as high as 87.9%., Discussion: This study establishes the nutrient composition and harmful component profiles of alfalfa hay in five major planting areas for the first time, which provides a valuable reference for the safe and sustainable utilisation of alfalfa in livestock feed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2025 Zhu, Chen, Li, Liu, Zhao, Hu, Li, Li, Shi, Sun and Wang.)

As significant fungal pathogens of crops, Fusaria species contaminate various food and feed commodities. Some of the Fusarium spp. secondary metabolites (e.g., trichothecenes, zearalenone, and fumonisins) are widely known toxic molecules (mycotoxins) with chronic and acute effects on humans and animals. The growing demand for safer, pesticide-free food drives us to increase biological control during crop growing. Recent research suggests that lactic acid bacteria (LABs) as biocontrol are the best choice for extenuating Fusarium mycotoxins. Newly isolated LABs were tested as antifungal agents against Fusarium verticillioides , F. graminearum , and F. oxysporum . The characterized and genetically identified LABs belonged to Limosilactobacillus fermentum (SD4) and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (FCW4 and CB2) species. All tested LABs and their cell-free culture supernatants showed antagonism on the MRS solid medium. The antifungal activity was also demonstrated on surface-sterilized wheat and peanuts. The germination test of corn kernels proved that the LAB strains SD4 and FCW4 significantly ( p < 0.05) enhanced root and shoot development in plantlets while simultaneously suppressing the outgrowth of F. verticillioides . Small-scale corn silage fermentation revealed the significant effects of SD4 supplementation (decreased zearalenone, lower mold count, and total reduction of deoxynivalenol) within the mixed populations.

Mycotoxins in aquatic feeds and their effects on fish are becoming more important in aquaculture, as fishmeal and fish oil in feeds are being replaced with more sustainable plant protein. Here, we investigated the potential of the mycotoxin, beauvericin (BEA), to impact the rainbow trout (RT) intestine by using cultures of the epithelial cell line, RTgutGC. BEA was dosed in different ways and exposed at temperatures ranging from 4 to 26 °C before being evaluated for cell viability by the metabolic reduction of Alamar Blue, by the accumulation of Neutral Red (lysosomal activity), cytotoxicity (CellTox Green), and for wound healing. BEA induces cell death in RTgutGC cells. The lysosomes are the main target (Neutral Red assay is the most sensitive) while cytotoxicity and plasma membrane rupture (CellTox Green) occur at considerably higher concentrations. BEA caused a dose-dependent decline in Neutral Red reading at all tested temperatures but Alamar Blue readings did not decline at 4 °C. Under these conditions, BEA appears to impair only lysosomal activity. Wound healing was reduced at 4, 10, and 26 °C compared to 18 °C. Also BEA treatment, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, reduced wound healing, but the temperature had little influence on this. Different carrier vehicles (methanol, DMSO) and exposure methods (passive or active dispersal) for BEA exposure were also studied. Here, methanol and passive dispersal gave comparable results to exposure with DMSO and active dispersal. In contrast, when DMSO was dosed with passive dispersal, immediate cytotoxicity in combination with BEA was induced., (© 2025. The Society for In Vitro Biology.)

Mycotoxins are widely prevalent in various agricultural commodities, whose excessive consumption can pose significant risks to human health. In this study, we developed a facile mycotoxin detection platform based on branched hybridization chain reaction coupled with lateral flow assay. Ochratoxin A/Aflatoxin B1 bind to aptamers triggering the release of initiators, which leads to bHCR amplification and forms three-dimensional dendritic DNA nanostructures. Using the functionalized quantum dots as a fluorescent label, by leveraging smartphones and handheld ultraviolet lamps, the qualitative and quantitative detection of OTA and AFB1 can be achieved with a significantly enhanced sensitivity level, surpassing that of commercial test strips by 2-3 orders of magnitude. The visual detection limits for OTA and AFB1 were 30 pg/mL and 4 pg/mL, respectively. This approach eliminates the necessity for enzyme catalysis or the preparation and purification of antibodies and/or hapten, thereby reducing testing expenses and streamlining operational procedures. Moreover, substituting aptamer and nucleic acid sequences can effectively expand the scope of detection targets. Consequently, the as-proposed strategy exhibits great potential as a versatile technique, suitable for various analytical scenarios due to its sensitivity, accuracy, simplicity, and portability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of the present research was to assess the amounts of aflatoxin M1 (AFM 1 ) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in cow colostrum samples, as well as their relationship. The sampling involved 90 cows (54 Montofon and 36 Simmental) from 15 independent farms. An appropriate number of samples from the total mixed ration (TMR) used in feeding the cows were collected simultaneously with the colostrum samples. AFB 1 in feed, AFM 1 , and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, and IgM) levels in colostrum were evaluated using the ELISA method. The AFM 1 level in colostrum samples exceeded the maximum allowed values for raw milk. Ig levels were higher in Montofon-breed cows' colostrum than in Simmentals. However, it was determined that neither the breed nor the lactation number significantly affected the colostrum Ig level. It was determined that there was no linear relationship between the number of lactations and immunoglobulin levels or between AFM 1 and immunoglobulin levels in colostrum. Similarly, it was determined that there was no linear relationship between the AFB 1 level in the feed and the AFM 1 level in the colostrum of animals consuming these feeds., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Society for Mycotoxin (Research Gesellschaft für Mykotoxinforschung e.V.) and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Aflatoxin contamination of corn can occur when developing kernels are infected by the plant pathogen Aspergillus flavus. One route of infection is from airborne conidia. We executed a series of experiments within the corn canopy during two growing seasons and in two states to document the abundance and dynamics of the airborne A. flavus population. We did not observe any significant diurnal changes in the conidial density (p = 0.171) or any effect of sampler height (p = 0.882) within the canopy. Significant changes (p < 0.001) were noted during the season, with a trend towards increased airborne populations with later stages of corn development and more than a 20-fold increase from July to August. The median aflatoxigenicity of airborne isolates from a corn canopy in Texas was about 50 times higher than the corresponding population in Mississippi. It was also noteworthy that highly aflatoxigenic, weakly sporulating S-morphotypes accounted for 14-30% of the airborne isolates in Mississippi at a site with historically rare abundance of S-morphotypes. The genetic diversity was high among the 140 analyzed airborne isolates, with 76 unique haplotypes identified and 55 haplotypes occurring only in 1 isolate. Even in the context of this highly diverse population, a haplotype matching that of a commercial biocontrol strain was found in 13 of the 70 isolates from Mississippi and 1 of the 70 isolates from Texas. The airborne A. flavus population is genetically diverse (Shannon's index = 1.4 to 1.6), similar to grain samples in other surveys, and much less aflatoxigenic in Mississippi than in Texas., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) pose a risk to public health due to their carcinogenic potency (AFs and FBs) and anti-nutritional effects. The hazards associated with mycotoxins are accentuated where food management practices, control, and regulatory systems from farm to plate are sub-optimal. Information on the frequency of these mycotoxins in rice commercialized in markets in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) is limited. The current study examined AF concentrations in 527 rice samples collected from 54 markets in five SSA countries. Grain quality characteristics, processing methods, and origin of samples were contrasted with toxin levels. In total, 72% of the samples had detectable AFs levels (range = 3.0 to 89.8 µg/kg). Forty-seven percent (47%) of the samples had AFs above 4 µg/kg, the European Union maximum level (ML), and were evaluated for cooccurrence with FBs, ZEN, and DON. Total AFs and ZEN cooccurred in 40% of the samples, and 30% of the positive ZEN samples had concentrations above the ML of 75 µg/kg. Total AFs did not co-occur with FBs and DON. Multivariate analysis revealed that length-to-width ratio (p < 0.0001), mixed variety for width (p = 0.04), and chalkiness (p = 0.009) significantly influenced aflatoxin concentrations. Slender grains had higher AFs concentrations than bold and medium grains (p < 0.0001). Possible strategies to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in rice include improving grain quality traits and practicing proper drying and hermetic storage before and after milling. These findings provide valuable insights for both domestic and international actors in establishing and strengthening regulations and management systems to mitigate rice mycotoxin contamination., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval: This study does not involve any human or animal testing. Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Fusarium graminearum is recognized as the pathogen responsible for wheat head blight. It produces deoxynivalenol (DON) during infection, which endangers human health. DON biosynthesis occurs within toxisomes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In eukaryotes, the ER membrane protein complex (EMC) is critical for the ER's normal operation. However, the specific role of the EMC in F. graminearum remains poorly understood. In this study, six EMC subunits (FgEmc1-6) were identified in F. graminearum , and all of them were localized to the toxisomes. Our results demonstrate that the EMC is indispensable for vegetative growth and asexual and sexual reproduction, which are the fundamental life processes of F. graminearum . Importantly, EMC deletion led to reduced virulence in wheat spikes and petioles. Further investigation revealed that in Δ Fgemc1-6 , the expression of trichothecene ( TRI ) genes is decreased, the biosynthesis of lipid droplets (LDs) is diminished, toxisome formation is impaired, and DON production is reduced. Additionally, defects in the formation of the infection cushion were observed in Δ Fgemc1-6 . In conclusion, the EMC is involved in regulating growth and virulence in F. graminearum . This study enhances our understanding of the EMC functions in F. graminearum and offers valuable insights into potential targets for managing wheat head blight.

The origin of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cheeses is mainly due to mould growth during the ripening process, and to a lesser extent, to the use of OTA-contaminated milk in cheese production. Bacterial smear-ripened cheeses developed a smear microbiota on their rind during ripening that greatly contributes to its typical aroma and texture. Bacteria from the Brevibacterium genus belong to the typical smear microbiota of cheeses. Type strains from Brevibacterium species frequently isolated from cheese and milk products were able to transform OTA into much less toxic ochratoxin α (OTα) and L-phenylalanine. Protein searches allowed the identification of a protein annotated as amidohydrolase in these OTA-degrader Brevibacterium strains. The OTA-hydrolytic activity of the identified amidohydrolase was demonstrated by the heterologous production of this protein from B. linens DSM 20425 T (BlOTA). In vitro assays revealed that BlOTA transformed OTA into less toxic OTα, as well as ochratoxin B. When compared with other previously described OTA-degrading amidohydrolases, BlOTA exhibited optimal activity at a higher pH (8.0), while showing similar high temperature for optimal activity (55 °C) and thermostability; in addition, a clear preference for substrates with Phe, Tyr or Leu amino acid residues at the C-terminal position was clearly observed. BlOTA efficiently detoxifies OTA-contaminated bovine milk, without provoking changes on its free amino acid composition. Moreover, in silico predictions revealed that BlOTA is a non-allergenic, non-antigenic, and poorly immunogenic protein. Therefore, the QPS status possessed by cheese-Brevibacterium species, as well as the characteristics exhibited by BlOTA, make them suitable tools for the biological detoxification of OTA in dairy and food products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors of the manuscript declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The Radix Dipsaci, a traditional Chinese medicine with a history spanning over 2000 years in China, is widely recognized for its hepatorenal tonic properties, musculoskeletal fortifying effects, fracture healing capabilities, and its frequent application in the treatment of osteoporosis. Like many traditional Chinese herbal medicines, preparations from Radix Dipsaci are at risk of contamination by harmful mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1., Aims of the Study: This study aims to evaluate the impact of aflatoxin B1 contamination on Radix Dipsaci in terms of changes in quality, efficacy of anti-osteoporosis and hepatorenal toxicity., Materials and Methods: The contamination rates and levels of major mycotoxins were determined in 45 batches of Radix Dipsaci samples using UPLC-MS/MS analysis. The total saponin content and the levels of akebia saponin D in Radix Dipsaci and its decoctions were evaluated through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Differences in secondary metabolites between samples without any mycotoxin contamination (N-RD) and those contaminated solely by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1-RD) were compared using metabolomics sequencing and analysis. The anti-osteoporotic efficacy of Radix Dipsaci contaminated with aflatoxin B1 was assessed in a murine model of retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis by quantifying bone mineral content and bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Additionally, the hepatorenal toxicity of Radix Dipsaci contaminated with aflatoxin B1 was evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)., Results: The results indicated that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was the most frequently detected mycotoxin, found in 37.7% of the Radix Dipsaci samples. AFB1 contamination significantly altered the secondary metabolites of Radix Dipsaci. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in the levels of total saponins and akebia saponin D in the AFB1-contaminated samples, which exhibited a negative correlation with the levels of AFB1 contamination. However, the administration of a water decoction from AFB1-contaminated Radix Dipsaci did not result in significant improvements in bone mineral density, bone mineral salt content, the trabecular number, trabecular area, proportion of trabecular bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular separation in an osteoporosis mouse model. Additionally, we observed that approximately 16.04% of AFB1 could migrate from the raw herbs into the decoction, leading to hepatocyte and kidney cell damage, as well as increased levels of the oxidative stress molecule malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver and kidney tissues of the osteoporosis model mice., Conclusion: In summary, Radix Dipsaci is highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, particularly aflatoxin B1. The contamination of Radix Dipsaci with AFB1 not only impacts their saponin content and anti-osteoporosis effect but also induces hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Peanut is a legume widespread in the world, but its high susceptibility to Aspergillus flavus infection poses a significant challenge due to the risk of aflatoxin contamination. It is predicted that changing climatic conditions will result in warmer, drier periods with elevated CO₂ levels, which promote the growth of A. flavus. The most effective pre-harvest mitigation strategy is the use of non-aflatoxigenic strains of biocontrol; however, future climatic conditions may influence the effectiveness of this practice. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of simulated climate change conditions on the efficacy of a non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strain, the active agent of a biocontrol product, in reducing fungal growth and mycotoxin production. A range of temperature conditions (T = 25, 30, 35 °C), water activity (a w  = 0.85, 0.90, 0.95) and CO2 concentration (400, 1000 ppm) were selected for investigation. The assay was conducted using three ratios of A. flavus spore suspensions (100 % aflatoxigenic, 100 % non-aflatoxigenic, 50/50 % aflatoxigenic:non-aflatoxigenic; 105 spores mL -1 ) inoculated in vitro on a peanut-based medium (PBM), and in situ on peanut seeds, and incubated for 10 days. Results of in vitro studies showed a significant influence of T and a w on fungal growth rates (μ), with a reduction when the a w decreased and T shifted from the fungus's optimum of 30 °C. The highest mycotoxin concentration was detected on PBM, with an aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production by the aflatoxigenic strain in situ 50 % lower than in vitro. However, for all the treatments, the application of the biocontrol agent inhibited AFB1 production with a general reduction of 55 % in vitro and 71 % in situ, even though a significant increase in kojic acid production was observed. The effectiveness of the non-aflatoxigenic strain increased when T was raised up to 35 °C with higher AFB1 reductions both in vitro and in situ, of respectively 58 and 76 %. These observations provided the first evidence that climate change will not negatively influence the ability of the Italian A. flavus non-aflatoxigenic strain, which represents the biocontrol agent of the commercial product AF-X1, to reduce AFB1 contamination in peanuts., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The neurotoxic effects of fungal toxins in both humans and animals have been well documented. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by fungi of the Fusarium species, is the most toxic fumonisin variant whose neurotoxic effect is still being elucidated. This review highlights the biochemical aspects of FB1 neurotoxicity, such as its mechanisms of action as well as therapeutic strategies. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that alteration in sphingolipid metabolism is a major event in FB-induced neurotoxicity. Studies have also shown that neurotoxicity due to FB1 involves dysregulation of several biochemical events in the brain, such as induction of oxidative stress and inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and associated programmed cell death, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and alteration of neurotransmitter levels, decreased activity of Na + K + ATPase, as well as disruption of blood-brain barrier. This review highlights the potential public health effects of FB1-induced neurotoxicity and the need to limit human and animal exposure to FB1in order to prevent its neurotoxic effect. Moreover, it is hoped that this review would stimulate studies aimed at filling the current research gaps such as delineating the effect of FB1 on the blood-brain barrier and appropriate therapies for neurotoxicity caused by FB1., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2025 The Authors.)

Ustiloxins are a group of cyclopeptide mycotoxins produced by rice false smut pathogen Villosiclava virens (anamorph: Ustilaginoidea virens ) which seriously threaten the safety production of rice and the health of humans and livestock. Ustiloxin A, accounting for 60% of the total ustiloxins, is the main toxic component. Biotransformation, a process of modifying the functional groups of compounds by means of regio- or stereo-specific reactions catalyzed by the enzymes produced by organisms, has been considered as an efficient way to detoxify mycotoxins. In this study, the endophytic fungus Petriella setifera Nitaf10 was found to be able to detoxify ustiloxin A through biotransformation. Two transformed products were obtained by using the cell-free extract (CFE) containing intracellular enzymes of P. setifera Nitaf10. They were structurally characterized as novel ustiloxin analogs named ustiloxins A1 ( 1 ) and A2 ( 2 ) by analysis of the 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectra as well as by comparison with known ustiloxins. The cytotoxic activity of ustiloxins A1 ( 1 ) and A2 ( 2 ) was much weaker than that of ustiloxin A. The biotransformation of ustiloxin A was found to proceed via oxidative deamination and decarboxylation and was possibly catalyzed by the intracellular amine oxidase and oxidative decarboxylase in the CFE. An appropriate bioconversion was achieved by incubating ustiloxin A with the CFE prepared in 0.5 mol/L phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) for 24 to 48 h. The optimum initial pH values for the bioconversion of ustiloxin A were 7-9. Among eight metal ions (Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Fe 3+ , Zn 2+ , Ba 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ ) tested at 5 mmol/L, Cu 2+ , Fe 3+ and Zn 2+ totally inhibited the conversion of ustiloxin A. In conclusion, detoxification of ustiloxin A through oxidative deamination and decarboxylation is an efficient strategy.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin commonly found worldwide and is implicated in various health effects. We recently demonstrated that subacute oral exposure to DON significantly exacerbates symptoms of type 2 helper T-cell-mediated allergic diseases in a model. We aim to investigate the role of oral DON exposure in type 17 helper T-cell-mediated immunoreactive diseases using a mouse psoriasis model. Psoriasis was induced by the dermal administration of 5% imiquimod in female BALB/c mice. A standard rodent diet was supplemented with DON to achieve a final concentration of 0.3 ppm (1.5 μg/kg bw/day), which was administered daily for 14 days. Skin thickness, scratching behavior, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were continuously measured during imiquimod administration. Mice exposed to DON exhibited significant increases in skin thickness, TEWL, and scratching behavior. Histological evaluations revealed aggravated hyperplasia, neutrophil infiltration, and inflammatory cell accumulation in the dermis. Furthermore, DON exposure significantly increased the number of CD4+ helper T cells and CD11c+ MHC class II+ dendritic cells in the auricular lymph nodes, along with elevated TNF-α and IL-17 levels in stimulated T cells. The gene expression of IL-17 in skin tissue was also significantly up-regulated in DON-treated mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that oral exposure to DON aggravates symptoms in a mouse psoriasis model.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major disease affecting wheat production worldwide, caused by multiple Fusarium species. In this study, seven Fusarium strains were isolated from wheat fields across the Western Cape region of South Africa and identified through phylogenetic analysis. The strains were classified into three species complexes: the Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC), Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC), and Fusarium tricinctum species complex (FTSC). Disease severity was highest in the South coast regions of Swellendam (42.73%) and Caledon (38.00%), with the dough stage of wheat development showing the highest disease rate (0.3 in Swellendam and Caledon). The phylogenetic analysis showed distinct clustering of these isolates with known species from the NCBI database, confirming their classification. F. ipomoeae was uniquely found in Swellendam and Caledon, while F. tricinctum occurred only in Klipheuwel and Caledon, highlighting geographical variation in species distribution. Mycotoxin profiling revealed that F. culmorum and F. pseudograminearum produced zearalenone, F. culmorum and F. tricinctum produced 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON), while F. pseudograminearum produced nivalenol (NIV). These findings provide significant insights into the distribution of Fusarium species and their associated trichothecene chemotypes in the Western Cape, which is crucial for developing effective FHB management strategies and ensuring food security and safety.

Nowadays the enzymatic approaches are the most promising strategies for mycotoxins detoxification in food stuffs. Herein, the dye-decolorizing peroxidase RhDypB from Rhodococcus jostii was studied for its ability to degrade two mycotoxins in both free and the immobilized enzyme forms. This enzyme was recombinantly expressed and purified, while Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were prepared and modified with chitosan as the immobilization carrier. The immobilized enzyme Fe 3 O 4 @CS@RhDypB demonstrated degradation rate of 85.61 % toward aflatoxin B 1 , while it was firstly found to be able to degrade zearalenone with the rate of 86.52 %, at pH 4.0 on 30 °C. The degradation products were identified as aflatoxin Q 1 and 15-OH-ZEN respectively. After 5 cycles of reuse, Fe 3 O 4 @CS@RhDypB still exhibited degradation rates of 38.50 % and 49.76 % toward the mycotoxins, indicating its high reusability. Moreover, Fe 3 O 4 @CS@RhDypB exhibited excellent stability after 10 days of storage. This work identified potential applications of nanoparticle-immobilized enzyme for biodegradation of mycotoxins in food industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Conditions were determined for rapid, convenient, and efficient determination of 16 common mycotoxins in tea samples. Mycotoxins in tea leaves and tea infusion samples were extracted using solid-liquid extraction/liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The extraction solvent was 2-butanone/ethyl acetate (9/1 v/v) with 0.1 % formic acid. The established conditions enabled the analysis of these mycotoxins by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in 5.5 min. In addition, HPLC with a temperature-controlled fluorescence detector was able to simultaneously determine 8 mycotoxins with fluorescent properties in 10 min without derivatization. Aflatoxin M1 (2.15 and 3.01 μg/kg), fumonisin B2 (198.89 μg/kg), and zearalenone (87.54 μg/kg) could be detected in commercially available pu-erh tea, green tea, and black tea products, and their total transfer rates from the products to brewed tea infusions were 64.08-65.13 %, 90.59 %, and 25.99 %, respectively. The risks of drinking mycotoxins from these tea infusions mostly showed low levels of concern., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Development of a multiplexed and sensitive biosensing platform is a priority for public health security. We report a micropore resistance counting platform based on polystyrene microsphere size-based encoding and Clostridium butyricum Argonaute (CbAgo) decoding for multiplexed and ultrasensitive detection. Initially, we constructed a target DNA-modified polystyrene microsphere coding system based on micropore resistance counting. Subsequently, the precise recognition and cleavage capabilities of the guide DNA-activated CbAgo protein enable the decoding of the encoded microsphere system. Changes in the concentration of polystyrene microspheres are presented as a signal readout. The platform demonstrated excellent performance in multiplexed detection of three mycotoxins (with a sensitivity range over 4 orders of magnitude reaching the pg/mL level) and two inflammatory markers at pg/mL. Combining precise enzyme cleavage by CbAgo with micropore resistance counting, the developed platform is a multiplexed and highly sensitive detection tool with wide-ranging potential in applications such as clinical diagnosis, food safety inspection, and environmental monitoring.

Background: Mycotoxin, a secondary metabolite of fungus, found worldwide and concerning in crops and food, causes multiple acute and chronic toxicities. Its toxic profile includes hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, estrogenicity, immunotoxicity, and neurotoxicity, leading to deleterious impact on human and animal health. Emerging evidence suggests that it adversely affects perinatal health and progeny by its ability to cross placental barriers., Aim of Review: Due to its wide occurrence and potential toxicity on reproductive health, it is essential to understand the mechanisms of mycotoxin-related reproductive toxicity. This review summarizes the toxicities and mechanisms of mycotoxin on maternal and offspring reproduction among mammalian species. Approaches for effective mycotoxin alleviation are also discussed, providing strategies against mycotoxin contamination., Key Scientific Concepts of Review: The profound mycotoxin toxicities in female mammalian reproduction affect follicle assembly, embryo development, and fetus growth, thereby decreasing offspring fertility. Factors from endocrine system such as hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and gut-ovarian axis, placenta ABC transporters, organelle and cytoskeleton dynamics, cell cycle control, genomic stability, and redox homeostasis are found to be closely related to mycotoxin toxicities. Approaches from physical, chemical, biological, and supplementation of natural antioxidants are discussed for the mycotoxin elimination, while their applications are not widespread. Available ways for mycotoxin and its toxicities alleviation need further study. Since a species-, time-, and dose-specific response might exist in mycotoxin toxicities, more consideration should be given to the protocols for mycotoxin toxicity studies, such as experimental animal models, exposure duration, and dosage. Specific mechanism for mycotoxin, especially form a molecular biology perspective, could be investigated with multi-omics technologies and advanced imaging techniques. Mass spectrometry with algorithms may provide more accurate exposure assessments, and it may be further helpful to identify the high-risk individuals in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Ochratoxin A (OTA) are considered the most important mycotoxins in terms of food safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of AFB1 and OTA exposure in Wistar rats and to assess the beneficial effect of fermented whey (FW) and pumpkin (P) as functional ingredients through a proteomic approach. For the experimental procedures, rats were fed AFB1 and OTA individually or in combination, with the addition of FW or a FW-P mixture during 28 days. For proteomics analysis, peptides were separated using a LC-MS/MS-QTOF system and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were statistically filtered ( p < 0.05) distinguishing males from females. Gene ontology visualization allowed the identification of proteins involved in important biological processes such as the response to xenobiotic stimuli and liver development. Likewise, KEGG pathway analysis reported the metabolic routes as the most affected, followed by carbon metabolism and biosynthesis of amino acids. Overall, the results highlighted a strong downregulation of DEPs in the presence of AFB1 and OTA individually but not with the mixture of both, suggesting a synergistic effect. However, FW and P have helped in the mitigation of processes triggered by mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks when present in plant-based supplements (PBS), necessitating thorough risk assessment to ensure consumer safety. This study evaluates the health risks associated with mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins (AFB 1 , AFB 2 ) and ochratoxin A (OTA), in PBS sold in Malaysia. Contamination levels of AFB 1 , AFB 2 , and OTA were quantified in 14 PBS samples using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. All samples tested positive for AFB 2 , while 28.57% and 42.86% tested positive for AFB 1 and OTA, respectively with some levels exceeding the regulatory limits set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and European regulations. The estimated daily intake of these mycotoxins was calculated based on the recommended daily intake of each supplement. To assess risk, Margin of Exposure (MOE) values were determined, showing that all AFB 2 -positive samples had MOE values below the critical threshold of 10,000, indicating an urgent need for risk management. A quantitative cancer risk assessment also estimated the percentage of hepatocellular carcinoma and kidney cancer attributable to mycotoxin exposure. The findings emphasize the significant public health risks posed by mycotoxins, particularly in samples B2 and B10, where all three mycotoxins studied were present at concerning levels. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and better monitoring of mycotoxin levels in PBS to protect consumer's health., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, are present in food and feed worldwide. Acute and chronic dietary exposures can induce adverse health effects in humans and animals. Among the various mycotoxins, aflatoxins pose significant health concerns to the general public. In the early 1960s, a total of more than 100000 turkey poults died from an unknown turkey "X" disease in England. The disease was associated with Brazilian groundnut meal contaminated by Aspergillus flavus, from which aflatoxins were first isolated from the fungal culture broth. Subsequent studies revealed that aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) is the most potent carcinogen among all aflatoxins, affecting both humans and various animal species. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified AFB 1 as a Group 1 human carcinogen. Aflatoxins are present in a wide variety of food items, including cereals, nuts, fruits, and spices. A survey conducted in Japan between 2004 and 2006 revealed that peanut products, cacao products, peppers, and Job's tears were contaminated with aflatoxins. To reduce exposure, Japan has set a regulatory limit of 10 µg/kg for total aflatoxins [sum of AFB 1 , aflatoxin B 2 (AFB 2 ), aflatoxin G 1 (AFG 1 ), and aflatoxin G 2 (AFG 2 )] for all food items. The National Institute of Health Sciences has developed official analytical methods for determining aflatoxins in foods which are used for quarantine inspection of imported foods. In this symposium, the regulations and analytical methods for aflatoxins are introduced.

Fumonisins are sphingolipid-like mycotoxins that cause serious damage by contaminating food and feed. The tricarballylic acid (TCA) units of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ; accounting for 70 % of fumonisin contamination) can be removed by fumonisin B 1 esterase (FE, EC 3.1.1.87) providing a biotechnological FB 1 detoxification possibility. Here, we report the regioselective cleavage of the TCA ester at C6 in the first step of FB 1 hydrolysis and kinetic characterization for two FEs. The low K M values (4.76-44.3 μM) are comparable to concentrations of environmental contaminations, and the high catalytic efficiencies are promising for practical applications. The X-ray structure of one of the FEs enabled the understanding of the FB 1 hydrolysis at molecular level and revealed an arginine pocket key for substrate binding, and the catalytic role of the glutamate preceding the catalytic serine. Computations showed that this FE is likely capable of detoxifying any fumonisin indicating its potential applicability in food and feed products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dániel János Incze and Zsófia Bata were employees of Dr. Bata Ltd. during this study., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

In the study, an eccentric heterogeneous core-shell nanomaterial Au@Cu 2-x Se was simply and rapidly synthesized. This novel nano-structure exhibits superior colorimetric intensity, enhanced antibody coupling efficiency, and strong broadband absorption across the visible to near-infrared spectrum, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 59.40%. As proof of concept, we applied Au@Cu 2-x Se as a signal amplification marker in LFIA for the rapid detection of zearalenone (ZEN), enabling dual-mode quantitative detection via colorimetric and photothermal signals (CM/PT). The Au@Cu 2-x Se-LFIA demonstrated a cut-off value of 10 ng/mL in colorimetric mode and 5 ng/mL in photothermal mode, representing a two fold increase in sensitivity compared to traditional AuNPs-based LFIAs. The outstanding colorimetric signal and prominent photothermal signal make the proposed Au@Cu 2-x Se nanomaterial show better application prospects in CM/PT mode detection in LFIA, providing broad application prospects for the broad-spectrum detection of mycotoxins in food in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The high specific surface area of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials endows them with efficient adsorption capabilities, thereby facilitating sample purification. In this study, a novel aluminum-based MOF (Al-MOF) was synthesized and employed as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) adsorbent for the purification of aflatoxins B 1 (AFB 1 ), AFB 2 , AFG 1 , and AFG 2 in vegetable oils. It was revealed that Al-MOF adsorbs aflatoxins through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. Under optimal SPE conditions, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis yielded limits of detection ranging from 0.06 to 0.25 μg/kg and limits of quantification from 0.21 to 0.84 μg/kg for the four aflatoxins. Recovery rates at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 μg/kg ranged from 74 % to 110 %, with coefficients of variation below 11 %. This method achieves efficient and cost-effective purification of aflatoxins in vegetable oils. Compared to national standard methods, this approach offers advantages such as lower material costs, ease of storage, and reusability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Crown rot caused by Fusarium proliferatum is a severe postharvest disease of banana fruit. The N 6 -methyladenosine (m 6 A) modification is the most common type of RNA modification and regulates gene expression in eukaryotes. Here, we analyzed transcriptome-wide changes in m 6 A methylation to investigate post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms of growth and fumonisin biosynthesis of F. proliferatum after fluopyram (Flu) treatment. The results demonstrated that Flu treatment inhibited F. proliferatum growth but induced fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) production both in vitro and in vivo. A transcriptome-wide m 6 A methylation profile showed that m 6 A hypomethylation was induced by Flu and enriched in start codons and the 3' untranslated region. FpAlkbh8 and FpYthdc1 may contribute to the decrease in m 6 A modifications after Flu treatment. The expression levels of m 6 A-containing mRNAs were higher than those of non-m 6 A-containing mRNAs. Furthermore, Flu decreased the acetyl-CoA content and regulated glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle through m 6 A modifications, diverting the acetyl-CoA flux into fumonisin biosynthesis. Importantly, Flu-mediated regulation of energy and reactive oxygen species metabolism, cell wall and membrane, and transcription factors was associated with m 6 A modifications. Collectively, this study provides potential novel targets for improving fungicide efficiency to control fungal disease and highlights the potential of environmental risks of fungicides., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Small intestinal organoids are similar to actual small intestines in structure and function and can be used in various fields, such as nutrition, disease, and toxicity research. However, the basal-out type is difficult to homogenize because of the diversity of cell sizes and types, and the Matrigel-based culture conditions. Contrastingly, the apical-out form of small intestinal organoids is relatively uniform and easy to manipulate without Matrigel. Therefore, we sought to investigate the possibility of replacing animal testing with bovine apical-out small intestinal organoids (Apo-IOs) by confirming the toxicity of mycotoxins and effectiveness of L. plantarum as mycotoxin-reducing agents. The characteristics and functions of Apo-IOs were first confirmed. The gene and protein expression of stem cell, proliferation, mucous, and adherence markers were detected, and the absorption capacity of amino and fatty acids was also confirmed. FITC-4 kDa dextran, a marker of intestinal barrier function, did not penetrate the Apo-IOs, confirming the role of the organoids as a barrier. However, when co-treated with deoxynivalenol (DON), FITC-4 kDa dextran was detected deep within the organoids. Moreover, qPCR and immunofluorescence staining confirmed a decrease in the expression of key markers, such as LGR5, Ki67, Mucin2, Villin2, and E-cadherin. In addition, when Apo-IOs were treated with Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC14917 culture supernatant (LCS) and DON together, cell death was reduced compared to when treated with DON alone, and FITC-4 kDa dextran was confirmed to flow only to the peripheral part of the organoid. The qPCR and immunofluorescence staining results of LCS and DON co-treatment group showed that LGR5, Ki67, Mucin2, Villin2, and E-cadherin were expressed at significant higher levels than those in the DON treatment group alone. In this study, we found that the characteristics and functions of bovine Apo-IOs were similar to those of the intestinal structure in vivo. Additionally, the effects of mycotoxins and effectiveness of L. plantarum as mycotoxin-reducing agents were confirmed using bovine Apo-IOs. Therefore, bovine Apo-IOs could be applied in toxicity studies of mycotoxins and could also be used as in vitro models to replace animal testing and improve animal welfare., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Experimental use of bovine-derived material was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS-2019-366), Korea. All methods of this study were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. The study was confirmed and followed in accordance with ARRIVE guidelines. All authors were personally and actively involved in the substantial work leading to this paper, taking public responsibility for its content., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Identifying biomarkers of mycotoxin effects in chickens will provide an opportunity for early intervention to reduce the impact of mycotoxicosis. This study aimed to identify whether serum enzyme concentrations, gut integrity, and liver miRNAs can be potential biomarkers for fumonisin B1 (FB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) toxicity in broiler birds as early as 14 days after exposure. A total of 720 male broiler chicks were distributed to six treatment groups: T1: control group (basal diet), T2 (2 FB1 + 2.5 DON + 0.9 ZEA), T3 (5 FB1 + 0.4 DON + 0.1 ZEA), T4 (9 FB1 + 3.5 DON + 0.7 ZEA), T5 (17 FB1 + 1.0 DON + 0.2 ZEA), and T6 (21 FB1 + 3.0 DON + 1.0 ZEA), all in mg/kg diet. On d14, there were no significant differences in the body weight gain (BWG) of mycotoxin treatment groups when compared to the control ( p > 0.05), whereas on d21, T6 birds showed significantly reduced BWG compared to the control ( p < 0.05). On d14, birds in T6 showed significant upregulation of liver miRNAs, gga-let-7a-5p (14.17-fold), gga-miR-9-5p (7.05-fold), gga-miR-217-5p (16.87-fold), gga-miR-133a-3p (7.41-fold), and gga-miR-215-5p (6.93-fold) ( p < 0.05) and elevated serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-d) concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK) levels compared to the control ( p < 0.05). On d21, T2 to T6 birds exhibited reduced serum phosphorus, glucose, and potassium, while total protein, FITC-d, AST, and CK levels increased compared to control ( p < 0.05). These findings suggest that serum FITC-d, AST, CK, and liver miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for detecting mycotoxin exposure in broiler chickens.

Actinobacteria are well known for their production of metabolites of interest. They have been previously studied to identify new antibiotics in medical research and for their ability to stimulate plant growth in agronomic research. Actinobacteria represents a real source of potential biocontrol agents (BCAs) today. With the aim of reducing the use of phytosanitary products by 50% with the different Ecophyto plans, a possible application is the fight against mycotoxin-producing fungi in food matrices and crops using BCAs. To deal with this problem, the use of actinobacteria, notably belonging to the Streptomyces genus, or their specialized metabolites seems to be a solution. In this review, we focused on the impact of actinobacteria or their metabolites on the development of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production on the one hand, and on the other hand on their ability to detoxify food matrices contaminated by mycotoxins.

Zearalenone (ZEN) has been detected in both pet food ingredients and final products, causing acute toxicity and chronic health problems in pets. Therefore, the early detection of mycotoxin contamination in pet food is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of animals. This study aims to develop a rapid and cost-effective method using an electronic nose (E-nose) and machine learning algorithms to predict whether ZEN levels in pet food exceed the regulatory limits (250 µg/kg), as set by Chinese pet food legislation. A total of 142 pet food samples from various brands, collected between 2021 and 2023, were analyzed for ZEN contamination via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, the "AIR PEN 3" E-nose, equipped with 10 metal oxide sensors, was employed to identify volatile compounds in the pet food samples, categorized into 10 different groups. Machine learning algorithms, including liner regression, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, random forests, XGBoost, and multi-layer perceptron (MLP), were used to classify the samples based on their volatile profiles. The MLP algorithm showed the highest discrimination accuracy at 86.6% in differentiating between pet food samples above and below the ZEN threshold. Other algorithms showed moderate accuracy, ranging from 77.1% to 84.8%. The ensemble model, which combined the predictions from all classifiers, further improved the classification performance, achieving the highest accuracy at 90.1%. These results suggest that the combination of E-nose technology and machine learning provides a rapid, cost-effective approach for screening ZEN contamination in pet food at the market entry stage.

Background: Sheep coccidiosis is an infectious parasitic disease that primarily causes diarrhea and growth retardation in young animals, significantly hindering the development of the sheep breeding industry. Cereal grains and animal feeds are frequently contaminated with mycotoxins worldwide, with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) being the most common form. AFB1 poses a serious threat to gastrointestinal health upon ingestion and affects the function of parenteral organs, thus endangering livestock health. However, the impact of the combined effects of coccidia and AFB1 on the reproductive system of sheep has not been reported. Therefore, this study utilized sheep as an animal model to investigate the mechanisms underlying the reproductive toxicity induced by the individual or combined effects of AFB1 and Eimeria ovinoidalis (E. ovinoidalis) on the gut-blood-reproductive axis., Results: The results showed that AFB1 and coccidia adversely affect the reproductive system defense of sheep by altering uterine histopathology and hormone levels and triggering inflammation, which is associated with changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites. Moreover, co-exposure to AFB1 and coccidia disrupted the intestinal structure of the colon, resulting in reduced crypt depth. The impaired barrier function of the colon manifests primarily through the suppression of barrier protein expression, changes in the gut microbiome composition, and disruptions in gut metabolism. Importantly, the levels of blood inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and LPS) increased, suggesting that exposure to AFB1 and coccidia compromises the function of uterine organs in sheep by perturbing the gut-blood-reproductive axis. Blood metabolomics analysis further revealed that the differential metabolites predominantly concentrate in the amino acid pathway, particularly N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine. This metabolite is significantly correlated with IL-6, TNF-α, LPS, ERα, and ERβ, and it influences hormone levels while inducing uterine damage through the regulation of the downstream genes PI3K, AKT, and eNOS in the relaxin signaling pathway, as demonstrated by RNA sequencing., Conclusions: These findings reveal for the first time that the combined effects of AFB1 and E. ovinoidalis on sheep uterine function operate at the level of the gut-blood-reproductive axis. This suggests that regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for addressing mycotoxins and coccidia-co-induced female reproductive toxicity., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: All sheep experiments adhered to the animal welfare guidelines of Henan Agricultural University (ethical permission code: HNND2022030818) in Zhengzhou, China. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Environmental pollution is a problem that affects food safety throughout the world. In this study, a health risk assessment of possible toxic metal and aflatoxin contamination in homemade and industrial noodles produced in Türkiye was carried out. Samples were taken from 67 kinds of homemade and five kinds of industrial noodles from different cities. Each sample was ground and prepared according to the inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) protocol. Chronic daily metal intake (CDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) calculations were made according to metal concentrations. Then, it was compared with the limit values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Furthermore, AFB 1 analyses were performed on all samples the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Using the obtained data, health risk assessments were made in the samples of homemade and industrial noodles. Pb (lead), Hg (mercury), Cd (cadmium), As (arsenic), Cr (chromium), Ni (nickel), Cu (copper), Al (aluminum), and Fe (iron) concentrations analyzed in all samples were used in THQ and HI (non-cancer health risk) calculations, and THQ < 1 and HI < 1 were found. On the other hand, 81% of all the samples were found to have cancer risk in terms of Ni and 75% Cr. The AFB 1 findings (mean, 0.29 ppb) were below the Turkish Food Codex limit (2.00 ppb). Consequently, it is questionable that the noodle samples have cancer potential in general., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: All authors have read, understood, and have complied as applicable with the statement on “Ethical responsibilities of Authors” as found in the Instructions for Authors. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Patulin (PAT) is a widespread fruit toxin. Trace-level PAT exposure can cause serious harm to human health. Herein, a multimodal PAT aptasensor was designed based on Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -based metal organic framework composited hydrogel (RuMOF@hydrogel) and versatile banana peel-derived carbonized polymer dots (BPPDs). RuMOF@hydrogel modified magnetic-electrode exhibited excellent anodic and cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission and stability. Meanwhile, the BPPDs could enhance anodic ECL of RuMOF@hydrogel, and also show excellent fluorescence (FL) and photothermal (PT) properties. With the aid of PAT-triggered hybridization chain reaction and magnetic separation, ECL, FL, and PT responses could be recorded concurrently. The detection limit can reach as low as 0.25 fg mL -1 . The ratiometric ECL quantitation ensured the sensitivity and accuracy of this assay. And visual FL and portable PT modes contributed to the utility. Furthermore, this aptasensor demonstrated better performances than HPLC in fruit products and the protocol can be extended to determine various contaminants in foods., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a type-B trichothecene mycotoxin, is primarily produced by Fusarium species and widely pollutes wheat and other grains. Enzymatic treatment of DON has been widely studied in recent years. Here, we present the biochemical identification of the DON dehydrogenase from Pelagibacterium sp. SCN 63-126 (Pe DDH). After removing the signal peptide, Pe DDH is effectively expressed in its soluble form. Biochemical identification indicates that the optimal temperature and pH of Pe DDH against DON is 35 ℃ and pH 8.5. Furthermore, Pe DDH is activated significantly in the presence of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Cu 2+ , and alternatively activated by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), phenazine methosulfate (PMS), and 2, 6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP). When PQQ, PMS, and DCPIP are combined, Pe DDH (60 µg/mL) effectively degrads DON (150 µM) in just 5 min, suggesting a synergistic effect of three cofactors on DON degradation. All these results suggest a great potential of Pe DDH in the control of DON contamination., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Co-contamination of carbendazim (CBD) and deoxynivalenol (DON) is common in agricultural soils, yet their ecological impact on soil microbiome remains poorly assessed. Here, we investigated the influence of CBD and DON on the structure, function, and co-occurrence networks of soil microbiome. The combined treatment of CBD and DON significantly exacerbated the negative impacts on soil microbial diversity, functional diversity, and microbial network stability compared to individual treatments. Specifically, Lysobacter, Gemmatimonas, Nitrospira, Massilia, and Bacillus were identified as indicator species for CBD and DON. Simultaneously, the abundance of genes involved in key ecological functions, such as nitrification (amoA) and organic phosphorus mineralization (phoAD), was significantly reduced. Notably, key bacterial taxa Nitrospira and Gemmatimonas, with K-life history strategy and capabilities for nitrification and organic nitrogen mineralization, played crucial roles in promoting positive interactions in networks. Furthermore, variance partitioning analysis (VPA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrated that the abundance and niche breadth of key bacterial taxa were the primary drivers of microbial network stability. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into how soil microbiomes and networks respond to pesticides and mycotoxins, aiding in a more comprehensive assessment of exposure risks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)