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Enniatin B (ENNB) is a mycotoxin produced by moulds from the Fusarium genera and its toxic effects are still not fully elucidated, hence a safe reference exposure value has not been established yet. ENNB is the most prevalent emerging mycotoxin and is widely found in cereal-based products, nevertheless, there are no comprehensive exposure assessment studies. For that reason, the aim of this study was to characterise the occurrence of ENNB and estimate the exposure of the Spanish and Catalan populations. A total of 347 cereal-based products were collected in 2019 and were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Consumption data were obtained from the national food consumption surveys (ENALIA) and a regional survey conducted in Catalonia. The global exposure was estimated using deterministic and probabilistic methods. The results showed a high occurrence of close to 100% in all foodstuffs, with a range from 6 to 269 µg/kg, and a strong correlation with the levels of deoxynivalenol. Children aged one–nine years were the most exposed, showing mean estimates in the range 308–324 ng/kg bw/day and 95th percentiles 697–781 ng/kg bw/day. This study stresses the need for further toxicological data to establish reference doses and conclude formal risk assessment, accounting for the co-occurrence with deoxynivalenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deoxynivalenol (DON) remains one of the most concerning mycotoxins produced by the Fusarium genus due to the wide occurrence in highly consumed cereal-based food and its associated toxicological effects. Previous studies conducted in Spain and other European countries suggested that some vulnerable groups such as children could be exceeding the tolerable daily intakes. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive and updated dietary exposure assessment study in Spain, with a specific analysis in the region of Catalonia. Cereal-based food samples collected during 2019 were analysed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for multi-mycotoxin detection including DON and its main metabolites and derivatives. Consumption data were gathered from the nation-wide food surveys ENALIA and ENALIA2 conducted in Spain, and a specific survey conducted in Catalonia. The data were combined using deterministic and semi-parametric probabilistic methods. The results showed that DON was widely present in cereal-based food highly consumed in Spain and the Catalonia region. Exposure to DON among the adult population was globally low; however, among infants aged 3–9 years, it resulted in the median of 192 ng/kg body weight/day and the 95th percentiles of 604 ng/kg body weight/day, that would exceed the most conservative safety threshold for infants. Bread and pasta were the main contributing foodstuffs to the global exposure to DON, even among infants; thus, those foods should be considered a priority for food control or to develop strategies to reduce the exposure. In any case, further toxicological and epidemiological studies are required in order to refine the safety thresholds accounting for the sensitivity of the infant population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spanish Journal of Finance & Accounting / Revista Espanola de Financiacion y Contabilidad is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pesticides and mycotoxins, prominent chemical hazards in the food chain, are commonly found in plant-based foods, contributing to their pervasive presence in the human body, as evidenced by biomonitoring programs. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about their co-occurrence patterns. While intervention studies have demonstrated that organic diets can significantly reduce pesticide levels, their impact on mycotoxin exposure has been overlooked. To address this gap, this study pursued two objectives: first, to characterize the simultaneous presence of mycotoxins and pesticides in human urine samples by means of the control of the biomarkers of exposure, and second, to investigate the influence of consuming organic foods on these co-exposure patterns. A pilot study involving 20 healthy volunteers was conducted, with participants consuming either exclusively organic or conventional foods during a 24-h diet intervention in autumn 2021 and spring 2022 to account for seasonal variability. Participants provided detailed 24-h dietary records, and their first-morning urine samples were collected, minimally treated and analysed using LC-Q-ToF-MS by means of a multitargeted method in order to detect the presence of these residues. Results indicated that among the 52 screened compounds, four mycotoxins and seven pesticides were detected in over 25% of the samples. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and the non-specific pesticide metabolite diethylphosphate (DEP) exhibited the highest frequency rates (100%) and concentration levels. Correlations were observed between urine levels of mycotoxins (DON, ochratoxin alpha [OTα], and enniatin B [ENNB]) and organophosphate pesticide metabolites DEP and 2-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol (DEAMPY). The pilot intervention study suggested a reduction in ENNB and OTα levels and an increase in β-zearalenol levels in urine after a short-term replacement with organic food. However, caution is advised due to the study's small sample size and short duration, emphasizing the need for further research to enhance understanding of the human chemical exposome and refine chemical risk assessment. • Urine samples from 20 volunteers have been collected and analysed. • A simultaneous analysis of pesticides and mycotoxins has been conducted. • Eleven out of 52 compounds have shown a detection frequency above 25%. • Deoxynivalenol and diethyl phosphate are the most detected contaminants. • Enniatin B, ochratoxin α, and β-zearalenol have shown differences between diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apples (Malus domestica) are one of the most consumed fruits globally. It is a relevant crop in Argentina and Spain, and one of the main fruits for export and industrialization in these countries. Quality control of apples, fundamentally in the postharvest stage, is critical to prevent fungal diseases. The blue mould, caused by Penicillium expansum , is responsible for great economic losses due to the deterioration of the fruit and mycotoxin production. Many studies have characterized this pathogen; however, little is known about the differences between populations from distant geographical origins. The objective of the present study was to characterize two P. expansum populations, from Argentina and Spain, through morphological, metabolomic and molecular approaches, and to evaluate the existence of differences related to their geographical source. A total of 103 isolates, 53 from Argentina and 50 from Spain were studied. Their morphological features were consistent with the species description. The secondary metabolite profiles revealed low chemical diversity. All 103 isolates shared the production of 13 compounds, namely andrastins, aurantioclavine, chaetoglobosins, communesins, expansolides, roquefortine C and patulin. Penostatins and citrinin were produced by 102 and 101 isolates, respectively. A region of the β-tubulin gene was selected to analyse the diversity of the P. expansum isolates. No substantial differences were observed between isolates of different geographical origins through morphology, patulin accumulation, secondary metabolite profiles and phylogenetic analysis. However, the analysis of polymorphisms revealed 29 haplotypes with a relative separation between isolates of both populations; 13 haplotypes contained Argentinean isolates, while Spanish isolates were separated into 16 haplotypes. The diversity indices of Shannon (H'= 2.075; H'= 2.402) and Simpson (Si D = 0.850; Si D = 0.895) for isolates from Argentina and Spain, respectively, indicated that the diversity of P. expansum is greater in Spain than in Argentina. This distribution could be explained both by the existence of haplotype exchange between both countries, with the ancestral haplotypes originating in Spain, and the subsequent adaptation to the environmental conditions or apples varieties grown in each region. • Penicillium expansum populations from Argentinean and Spanish apples were compared. • P. expansum populations showed low secondary metabolite diversity. • Phylogenetic analyses did not allow establishing evolutionary relationships. • Relative separation was revealed by analysis of polymorphisms in the β-tub fragment. • A significant geographical genetic structure was found in the populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to provide a current overview on patulin (PAT) contamination of apple products in Spain. A second aim was to provide some data on the effect of processing stages of fruit juice concentrates on patulin levels. None of the analysed samples contained PAT concentrations exceeding the maximum levels fixed by the EU. Pear and apple concentrates showed the highest levels (up to 126μg/kg). After milling, patulin levels did not exhibit important differences, except for at the concentration stage where a greater than fourfold mean increase was recorded. Moreover, a decrease was observed in those fruit juices that were decolourised after ultrafiltration. Thus, patulin presence in fruit products might not pose a health risk for the average consumer, although studies on patulin intake by populations consuming high amounts of fruit derivatives might be of importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) are mycotoxins produced by fungal species which can contaminate, alone or simultaneously, cereal-based raw materials. Usually, the higher mycotoxins concentrations in cereals are found in the external layers of the grain (bran). Nowadays bran is increasingly consumed for its high fibre concentration. The objectives of this study were determining the concentration of these mycotoxins in bran samples intended for direct human consumption and to study the influence of some characteristics of the samples that may affect the mycotoxins content, there are not studies about fibre for direct human consumption. 67 bran samples from shops and supermarkets from two different Spanish cities were analyzed, being 37 samples of wheat bran and the remaining of oat bran. The results showed a major presence of DON in the analyzed samples, with levels above the EU legislation in some samples. Presence of DON was more frequent in wheat samples, compared to oats ones (p <0.05). Extruded or toasted samples, subjected to a heat treatment during processing, presented a significantly lower concentration of OTA, and differences between the organically and conventionally produced samples were also detected in OTA, which showed higher levels in the organic samples. Co-occurrence was frequently found between the Fusarium mycotoxins (ZEA and DON). Due to the high levels of DON in the analyzed samples, a calculation of DON intake has been made and it has been demonstrated that bran can account for an important percentage of DON exposure in the total diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Enniatin B (ENNB) is a mycotoxin produced by moulds from the Fusarium genera and its toxic effects are still not fully elucidated, hence a safe reference exposure value has not been established yet. ENNB is the most prevalent emerging mycotoxin and is widely found in cereal-based products, nevertheless, there are no comprehensive exposure assessment studies. For that reason, the aim of this study was to characterise the occurrence of ENNB and estimate the exposure of the Spanish and Catalan populations. A total of 347 cereal-based products were collected in 2019 and were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Consumption data were obtained from the national food consumption surveys (ENALIA) and a regional survey conducted in Catalonia. The global exposure was estimated using deterministic and probabilistic methods. The results showed a high occurrence of close to 100% in all foodstuffs, with a range from 6 to 269 µg/kg, and a strong correlation with the levels of deoxynivalenol. Children aged one-nine years were the most exposed, showing mean estimates in the range 308-324 ng/kg bw/day and 95th percentiles 697-781 ng/kg bw/day. This study stresses the need for further toxicological data to establish reference doses and conclude formal risk assessment, accounting for the co-occurrence with deoxynivalenol.

Mycotoxins produced by certain fungal species of the Fusarium genus are frequently found as contaminants in cereals and feedstuffs. Fumonisins (FBs), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) are of special concern relative to animal health and productivity. The aim of this work was to analyse the levels of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination in samples of total mixed rations (TMRs) for dairy cows. To accomplish this analysis, an HPLC-MS/MS multi-mycotoxin method was developed and validated. The relation between the formulation of TMR samples and the presence of mycotoxins was also studied. From February 2016 to January 2018, a total of 193 TMR samples for dairy cows collected from farms located in different areas of Spain were analysed for the presence of FBs, ZEN, DON and their metabolites. In total, 112 samples (58%) were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, and 38 samples (20%) presented more than one mycotoxin. FBs were the mycotoxins most frequently found (34% positive samples). DON was detected in 17% of samples, and ZEN was detected in 16% of samples. Among the metabolites analysed, only deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-Glc) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) were detected. The levels of all the Fusarium mycotoxins studied were always below the values recommended by the European Commission for feedstuffs. The wide variety of ingredients used in the formulation of the analysed samples made it difficult to reach definite conclusions, although it seemed that some cereal silages and concentrates such as cereals or compound feed used as ingredients of the TMR may be related to the presence of mycotoxins.

The effects of two exposure times per day (6 and 16 h) of UV-A or UV-B radiation, combined with dark and dark plus light incubation periods during 7-21 d on fungal growth and mycotoxins production of Aspergillus species were studied. Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus parasiticus were inoculated on grape and pistachio media under diurnal and nocturnal temperatures choosing light photoperiod according to harvest conditions of these crops in Spain. Ultraviolet irradiation had a significant effect on A. carbonarius and A. parasiticus colony size (diameter, biomass dry weight, and colony density) and mycotoxin accumulation, although intraspecies differences were observed. Inhibition of A. carbonarius fungal growth decreased when exposure time was reduced from 16 h to 6 h, but this was not always true for ochratoxin A (OTA) production. OTA reduction was higher under UV-A than UV-B radiation and the reduction increased along time conversely to the aflatoxins (AFs). Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was the main toxin produced by A. parasiticus except in the UV-B light irradiated colonies which showed a higher percentage of AFG than AFB. Morphological changes were observed in colonies grown under UV-B light., (Copyright © 2014 The British Mycological Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is the main monohydroxylated derivative of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) formed in liver and excreted into milk. Although AFM₁ is less toxic than AFB₁, it has been classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B agent by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)., Objectives: The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the occurrence of AFM₁ in the main dairy products consumed in Catalonia region (Spain), and (ii) to assess the exposure of Catalonian population to aflatoxin M₁ through deterministic and probabilistic method., Methods: Occurrence of Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) was determined in 72 composites of milk, 72 composites of cheese and 72 composites of yoghurt from Catalonia. AFM₁ content was analysed using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay commercial kit. Three approaches to exposure assessment were conducted: one deterministic method and two probabilistic models with Monte Carlo simulations., Results: AFM₁ was detected in 94.4% (68/72) of whole UHT milk samples, in 2.8% (2/72) of yoghurt samples and not detected in cheese. The maximum level was detected in one yoghurt sample with 51.58 ng/kg, only this sample being over the legal EU limit of 50 ng/kg. Milk, cheese and yoghurt mean concentrations were 9.29±2.61, <12.5 and 13.22±4.82 ng/kg, respectively., Conclusions: According to these values, it should be expected Catalonian population is not exposed to a significant risk from aflatoxin M₁ including average and high consumers., (Copyright © 2010 Revista Iberoamericana de Micología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Penicillium expansum, a patulin producer fungus, is the most important fungus causing decay in cold stored both apples and pears. This can lead to patulin contaminated by-products. The aim of this assay was to evaluate the phenotypical and physiological variability in the population of P. expansum that cause fruit spoilage in post-harvest stages in Lleida (Spain). In total, 101 isolates of P. expansum from the 2004 and the 2005 seasons were obtained from decayed fruits. Significant differences were found in the observations from both seasons. Variability of the isolates in each season seemed to be partially explained by differences in growth in media, patulin accumulation and resistance to fungicides. Patulin production was detected in almost 100% of the isolates. Variability existing in P. expansum population could not be totally explained, but the above mentioned variables explained up to 74% of the diversity in some cases. The results obtained point to the existence of different populations of P. expansum in each season and may explain the differences in fungicide resistance observed between both seasons. The capacity to colonize apple flesh and some variables involved in fruit colonization were not a source of variation neither in each season nor when both seasons were compared. As storage rooms are cleaned and disinfected each season, this suggests that each season, the populations in storage rooms develop only from strains capable to colonize apple flesh. This may lead to rapid sporulation and spreading of spores.