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Latest studies indicated that agro-food wastes are considered renewable sources of bioactive compounds. This investigation aimed to utilize natural extracts of citrus peels as antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic agents for food safety. The bioactivity of two citrus peels was assessed by total phenolic, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Nanoemulsions were manufactured using high-speed homogenization. The mean particle size of the nanoemulsions ranged from 29.41 to 66.41 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.11–0.16. The zeta potential values ranged from −14.27 to −26.74 mV, indicating stability between 81.44% and 99.26%. The orange peel extract showed the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoids compared to the other extracts and nanoemulsions (39.54 mg GAE/g and 79.54 mg CE/100 g, respectively), which agreed with its potential antioxidant activity performed by DPPH free radical–scavenging and ABTS assays. Chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, and catechin were the dominant phenolic acids in the extracts and nanoemulsions, while quercitrin, rutin, and hesperidin were the most abundant flavonoids. Limonene was the major volatile component in both oils; however, it was reduced dramatically from 92.52% to 76.62% in orange peel oil and from 91.79 to 79.12% in tangerine peel oil. Consistent with the differences in phenolics, flavonoids, and volatiles between orange and tangerine peel extracts, the antibacterial properties of orange extracts had more potential than tangerine ones. Gram-positive bacteria were more affected by all the examined extracts than Gram-negative ones. The antifungal activity of orange extract and nanoemulsion on seven fungal strains from Aspergillus spp had more potential than tangerine extracts. Additionally, using a simulated media, the orange peel extract and its nanoemulsion had a more anti-aflatoxigenic influence. Molecular docking confirmed the high inhibitory action of flavonoids, especially hesperidin, on the polyketide synthase (−9.3 kcal/mol) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (−10.1 kcal/mol) key enzymes of the aflatoxin biosynthetic mechanism.

Aflatoxins are an unavoidable contaminant of foods. The current work aimed to study the ameliorating effect of Lawsonia inermis L. extract and its nano-formulation versus aflatoxin ingestion in ulcerative rats. Lawsonia inermis L. bioactivity was evaluated by both antioxidant & antimicrobial assays. The nanoparticles characterization measurements were evaluated. Different parameters in the fortified milk beverage were assessed. Seventy two Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into 12 groups (6 rats/group) where peptic ulcer was induced with a single aspirin dose (500 mg/kg BW) orally. The nutritional and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The results showed that antioxidant activity and total phenolic content increased with increasing nano-formulation ratio. A remarkable improvements in all the treated groups, either for ulcer alone or for aflatoxin exposed ulcerative groups in normal and nano-formulation. Conclusively, Lawsonia inermis L. & its nano-formulation could act as dual therapy for ulcer treatment and the hazardous effects of aflatoxin exposure.

Aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxins are still a principal challenge that threatened peanut production, marketing, and handling. This study aimed to face the problem using bioactive materials, which reduce fungi and mycotoxin contamination, Moringa extracts may be suitable for solving this challenge. Also, the study was compared the extracts of leaves and oil-free seeds. Fresh leaves and seeds were collected, dried, and milled, while oil was collected by cold pressing. The extracts were evaluated for total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants, the oil contents of fatty acids, tocopherol, and sterols were determined. An emulsion for protecting peanuts compositing of leaves extract carried by Moringa oil, and commercial emulsifier. Leaves extract evaluation reflected distinct properties of its fibers, total phenols, and flavonoids. It was recorded a microbial inhibition of bacteria and fungi. The values ​​for both minimal inhibition and fungicidal concentrations were recorded at 3.2 mg/mL and 490 μg/L, respectively. For oil, it showed a unique content, as oleic acid was the main fatty acid, with an affinity between palmitic and behenic in their ratios. Also, oil was recorded by high contents of alpha-tocopherol and Δ7-Campesterol, with 1.166 mg/kg oil as total sterols content. The leaves extract has also a unique capacity to inhibit toxigenic fungi. By applying the composite emulsion for peanut coating, results expressed a high CFU-count inhibition when it was inoculated by A. flavus strain compared to the control.

Recently, the rise of mycotoxin contamination in food materials was found to be due to several factors, including climatic changes’ impact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a novel food product that allows the reduction of aflatoxin impact in animal tissues. Chicory root-extract (CRE) was evaluated for its active components, antioxidant potency, and antimicrobial activity. The CRE was utilized to produce functional yogurt (FY) that was evaluated in-vivo using experimental rats. The CRE showed high antioxidant activity and recorded valuable content of the active components. Results also showed a high antimicrobial effect against toxigenic fungal strains. The results have reflected the efficiency of the FY to suppress aflatoxin impacts in the animal tissues and biochemical parameters of rats-serum. An enhancement was recorded inliver and kidney functions for rats taking FY with the presence of aflatoxin. It was concluded that consumption of the FY assisted in suppression of the oxidative stress in rats-tissues.

Background: Usually, it takes about a year since the harvested fresh star anise fruit (SAF) reaches the market for consumer usage, all this time with different handling processes and different storage circumstances greatly affect its quality as well as its chemical composition and biological activity. Aim: This study investigated the chemical constituents for volatiles and water extracts of commercialized SAF, as well as, their bioactivities. Results: The chemical constituents were dominated by Trans-Anethole (47.16 %), estragole (14.4 %), and foeniculin (8.86 %) in the essential oils. Meanwhile, Coumarin, Apigenin, and Rosmarinic were the predominant phenolics of water extract. The result reflects a distinction of water extract to minimize mycotoxin secretion in liquid media. The SAF-volatiles were more effective in inhibiting microbial growth of the investigated bacterial and fungal strains. Conclusion: Although samples were commercially collected from markets, their extracts were still capable to inhibit up to 55 % of fungal growth. The SAF water extract exhibited a moderate and selective cytotoxic effect (IC50 = 114.9 μg/ml) against HepG2 cell lines compared to the low impact of essential oil (IC50 = 513.8 μg/ml). Which led to the conclusion that despite the long-time span for SAF till it reaches the market, aqueous extract maintained a good ability for reducing mycotoxins-secretion from fungi grown in liquid media. This result emphasizes the role of the phenolics of water extracts' as an anti-mycotoxigenic agent.

Aflatoxins are harmful compounds that induced carcinogenic impacts on tissues. It could generate oxidative stress causing cells damage. Bioactive substances from natural plants could avoid mycotoxins’ bad impacts. Cape-goldenberry (CGB), a source of active substances, was vacuum-dried at 30 °C then milled. Fresh and dried CGB-powder properties were estimated. Animal experiment was designed using six rat-groups to evaluate CBG effect to reduce harmful effect of aflatoxins. Rats treated groups were orally administrated by aflatoxins (AFs) with or without CGB in diets. Blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, serum lipids, and liver histological changes were estimated. The CGB powder showed several time doubles of phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants than fresh fruits. Diet supplementation by CGB of AFs-treated rats showed enhancement in final weight, food efficiency, and weight gain compared to AFs treatment only. Also, liver and kidney functions, liver enzymes, iron level, tumors indicator, and serum lipids of AFs- rats. Moreover, total protein, albumin, and globulin reduction by AFs have been improved by CGB presence in diets. Histopathological studies for AFs-rats liver showed dilated blood sinusoids with aggregation of inflammatory, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, degenerated hepatocytes, and apoptotic cells. However, in AFs-rat groups fed CGB in diets, liver hepatocytes appeared to be almost normal similar to the control. Results pointed out that CGB recorded a corrective action for aflatoxin B1 and G1 toxicity. This was recorded for the blood and serum parameters, and liver enzymes. This CGB action avoiding AFs-toxicity was more clearly declared in the liver tissues. Keywords: Aflatoxins, Biochemical parameters, Cape-golden berry, Carcinogenic impacts, Liver tissues, Corrective action