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We have reviewed 167 conventional total meniscectomies with the aim of analyzing the long-term results. One hundred and twenty-five patients came to the hospital for personal view, and the Lysholm test was applied in each case. There was a 14.4% diagnostic error that caused us to remove the meniscus without demonstrable pathology. A systematic introduction of diagnostic arthroscopy has clearly modified this situation. A decision to remove a meniscus should not be based solely on clinical findings; arthroscopic confirmation is necessary. The overall acceptable results (64.5%) revealed that conventional total meniscectomy is not an operation that belongs in the past. We believe it is an alternative to be considered every time diagnostic arthroscopy shows that it is impossible to leave a stable and uniform meniscal rim.

Patulin production by Penicillium griseofulvum was monitored with Sep-Pak cartridges and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Determination and quantification of this metabolite proved to be very simple, and our method saved time and a large amount of organic solvents.

Production of patulin and griseofulvin by a strain of Penicillium griseofulvum is described. Mycelial dry weight, pH and production of patulin and griseofulvin were assayed in a minimal and a complete medium; patulin or griseofulvin production was assayed in apple juice.

SummaryExperimental mumps virus infections in guinea pigs are characterized in vivo by a positive delayed hypersensitive skin test reaction to viral antigen and in vitro by a cytotoxic effect of mumps virus antigen on cells from tissues cultivated from mumps-infected animals. Cortisone protects against this in vitro cytotoxicity of mumps virus.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and can be excreted in milk of cows after consuming aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated feed. The aim of this research was to assess the levels of total AFs in samples of feedingstuff for dairy cows (n = 193) and the levels of AFM1 in raw bulk tank milk samples (n = 375), in order to estimate the ratio of BAFB1 feed input^ versus BAFM1 milk output^ in four specific regions of Spain. Moreover, the correlation between the raw materials used as ingredients of the total mixed ration (TMR) and the presence of AFs was studied. About one-third (34.7%) of the feed samples were positive for total AFs in a range of 0.05-6.45 μg/kg, and 12.4% were positive for AFB1. AFM1 was detected in 18.9% of bulk milk samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.009 to 1.36 μg/kg. While none of the feed samples exceeded the European Union (EU) maximumcontent for AFB1 in feedingstuff for dairy animals of 5 μg/kg, three bulk milk samples exceeded the EU maximum level for AFM1 in milk of 50 ng/kg. The transfer ratio AFB1/AFM1, which was derived from AFB1 levels in feed, AFM1 levels in bulk tank milk, feed intake, and milk yield data, was 0.6-6%, which corresponded well with the range of published carry-over data for aflatoxins. Statistical analyses showed that the main sources of AFB1 in TMR were maize silage, bagasse, soya bean husk, maize, alfalfa hay, cotton seed and compound feed, thus special attention should be paid in controlling these raw materials when used in TMR preparation. Although the analysis of AFs in feed did not correlate with the presence of AFM1 in milk, monitoring feedstuffs is a useful tool in order to try and minimise AF-contamination of milk. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project AGL2014-55379-P). M. Rodríguez-Blanco thanks the University of Lleida for a pre-doctoral grant.

During an investigation of the mycoflora on oilseed rape, the predominant fungal species present in 118 samples collected in Spain were Penicillium spp., Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler and Aspergillus flavus. None of the 20 samples analysed having an infection rate of Alternaria higher than 65% presented contamination by Alternaria mycotoxins. Only aflatoxin B1 was detected in one of the 15 samples analysed with an infection rate of Aspergillus flavus higher than 65%. Alternaria alternata strains were cultured on rice and on whole and ground oilseed rape to compare their mycotoxin production. All the assayed strains produced tenuazonic acid (40 to 30 000 mg kg−1) and altertoxin I (in traces) on all media studied. Alternariol methyl ether, alternariol and altertoxin II was also produced by all strains on rice, but alternariol only was produced by two strains on ground oilseed rape. None of these three toxins were produced on whole oilseed rape. Out of 591 Aspergillus flavus isolates from oilseed rape, only 12 revealed aflatoxigenic capacity.

A method is described for Sep-Pak silica cartridge purification of patulin from apple juice followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) determination. The method has a rapid sample preparation and offerts a good separation of patulin from other constituents. The 80-87% recovery at 3-100 ppb levels is on the order of the beat described methods for patulin analysis. The method has been applied to 10 different apple juice concentrates and 8 commercial apple juices, showing a fairly good reproducibility and a detection level of 2 ppb

Malting was simulated using two different batches of barley as raw material: a naturally contaminated batch and laboratory inoculated (with a deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) producing Fusarium graminearum strain) one. Up to three contamination levels were prepared, every process being carried out in triplicate. A significant washout effect on DON was observed by the end of the first water phase (between 22.4 and 34 % reduction) with an even more pronounced reduction (up to 75 % decrease) by the end of the steeping process. ZEA content remained almost unchanged (no significant difference between the initial and the final concentration). Germination was characterized by an increase in all the three toxins (ZEA, DON and DON-3-G) concentrations, however showing a decreasing trend in the last 24 h of the stage, compared to the first day of germination. Kilning lead to a significant reduction of DON in the naturally contaminated batch (46.6 and 78.8% decrease in level 1 and level 2 of contamination, respectively), nevertheless an increase in all other toxins and contamination levels was observed. Keywords: Deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, zearalenone, HPLC-DAD/FLD, malting. The authors are grateful to the University of Lleida (grant JADE Plus 218/2016), and to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Project AGL2014-55379-P and AGL2016-77610-R) for funding this work. Y. Rodriguez-Carrasco thanks the University of Valencia for his postdoctoral grant “Atracció de Talent”. The authors are grateful to Arthur Kendall for revising English proficiency.

Cereals are a very important part of the human and animal diets. However, agricultural products can be contaminated by moulds and their mycotoxins. Plant extracts, particularly those of Equisetum arvense and Stevia rebaudiana have been reported previously to contain antioxidant compounds which may have antifungal properties. In this study, E. arvense and S. rebaudiana extracts were tested for their control of mycotoxigenic fungi in maize. The extracts were tested separately and as a mixture for their effect on growth of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides. Extracts were added to unsterilised inoculated maize at different water activity (aw) levels (0.85–0.95). Moulds were inoculated and incubated for 30 days. Results confirmed that the extract of E. arvense and a mixture 1:1 of Equisetum–Stevia may be effective for the inhibition of both growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin production at high water activity levels (pre-harvest conditions). In general, growth of the F. verticillioides was reduced by the use of plant extracts, especially at 0.95 aw. However, fumonisin presence was not significantly affected. E. arvense and S. rebaudiana extracts could be developed as an alternative treatment to control aflatoxigenic mycobiota in moist maize. The authors are grateful to the European Union (MYCORED KBBE-2007-2-5-05 project), Spanish government (AGL2010-22182-C04-04 project), Comissionat per a Universitats i Recerca d'Innovació, Universitats I Empresa de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR) and European Social Fund for the financial support.

The effects of water activity (aw, 0.994–0.85 = 0.4–21.0 (−)MPa water potential), temperature (5–42 °C), and their interactions on microconidial germination of three isolates each of Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum were determined in vitro on a maize meal extract medium. Temporal germination rates of microconidia of isolates of both species were significantly influenced by both aw and temperature. Germination was very rapid at >0.94 aw with an almost linear increase with time. Germination rates of microconidia of F. moniliforme were slower than those of F. proliferatum isolates at marginal aw levels and 5–25 °C, while at higher temperature (30–37 °C), the former germinated more rapidly than the latter. The aw minima for germination of isolates of both species was 0.88, with none occurring at 0.85 aw over a 40-day incubation period. At 37 °C, isolates of F. moniliforme had slightly lower aw minima than those of F. proliferatum. The narrowest range of aw for germination was at 5 °C, and none occurred at 42 °C. The effect of aw × temperature interactions on the lag phases (h) prior to germination and the germination rates (h−1) were estimated using the Gompertz model and the Zwietering equation. This showed that lag phases were shorter at 25–30 °C and 0.994–0.98 aw, and were increased to 10–500 h at marginal temperatures (5–10 °C) for F. proliferatum and longer for F. moniliforme. At marginal aw levels (0.92–0.90), lag times were increased to >250 h. Germination rates (h−1) were different for the two species. Microconidia of F. moniliforme germinated optimally at 25–37 °C and 0.96–0.98 aw, but this changed to 30 °C at 0.90–0.94 aw, while germination of microconidia of F. proliferatum remained optimum at 30 °C, regardless of aw. There were statistically significant (P w, temperature, isolate, and two- and three-way interactions for F. proliferatum, but there were no intraisolate effects for F. moniliforme. The ecological significance of these data for understanding colonization patterns of these important fumonisin-producing fungi are discussed.Key words: water activity, temperature, germination, fumonisin producing, Fusarium spp.

Summary Three strains of A. amstelodami, A. repens and A. ruber were exposed to various levels of potassium sorbate, and the MICs were determined. Selected strains of the molds were then repeatedly exposed to subinhibitory levels of the compound to determine whether increased tolerance might develop. The MIC of sorbate (pH 5.5 or 6.5) for 3 species of Aspergillus was 0.07%. Increasing levels of sorbate resulted in increasing growth suppression of the molds. The 3 Aspergillus species were tested for increased tolerance to potassium sorbate, and none was found. They developed a slight increase in tolerance dependent upon p H and the mold strain by subculturing at low levels of sorbate.

The occurrence of two Alternaria mycotoxins, alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and the presence of conidia from Alternaria spp., were investigated throughout the food production chain of two businesses, one which uses organic fruit and the other non-organic. For this purpose, a propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment followed by a quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect and quantify viable conidia exclusively. Results demonstrated that 68.4% of the total raw fruit analysed was contaminated with viable Alternaria spp. Regarding the mycotoxin occurrence, only a few samples were contaminated with AME, while 35% of raw tomatoes tested positive for AOH in the organic producer and 21% in the non-organic producer. AOH was present in samples analysed before heat treatment, while almost no mycotoxins were found in the final products of the organic producer. However, in the non-organic producer, 47% of the tomato concentrates were contaminated. We thank both companies for their collaboration in this study and for opening their doors to us. We also thank Montse Prim for kindly helping us with the HPLC analysis of samples and Arthur Kendall for correction of English usage and style. We are grateful to the Catalonian Government (XaRTA-Reference Network on Food Technology) and the University of Lleida for their financial support. N. Estiarte thanks the Secretaria de Universitats i Recerca del Departament de Economia i Coneixement of the Generalitat de Catalunya for the pre-doctoral grant (FI-DGR 2013).

Summary In the present study aflatoxin contamination was investigated with 102 peanut samples. Only 11 samples showed contamination by that mycotoxin. Concentration was less than 15–20 μ g/ kg in all the contaminated samples. Aflatoxin B 1 , B 2 , G 1 and G 2 were detected in the above-mentioned samples. No significant difference was found between shell and shelled peanuts owing to aflatoxin contamination.

This study aimed to evaluate the mycotoxins transfer in the wort and yeast during ale and lager fermentation, secondary fermentation, and beer storage. Four yeasts were used to ferment wort contaminated with DON and ZEN. The wort was fermented with two S. cerevisiae yeasts (yeasts A and B) at 15, 20, 25 °C for 96 h, and two S. pastorianus (yeasts C and D) at 10, 15, 20 °C for 144 h. After fermentation, the two wort with the highest mycotoxin decrease were selected for a second fermentation and stored period. Mycotoxins were extracted using QuEChERS and analyzed by UHPLC-DAD/FLD. In the wort, DON decreased from 11% to 27%, locating it adsorbed on the yeast from LOD to 6.16%. ZEN in the wort decreased from 29% to 90%, locating it adsorbed on the yeast from 5.41% to 33.86%. Ale-fermentation process obtained the highest decrease of ZEN in the wort, whereas, for DON, there was no significant difference in the reduction between the 2 fermentation styles. Finally, there was no significant change in mycotoxin content during storage. Knowledge of the mitigating effect of fermentation variables could help to reduce the mycotoxin content in beer. The authors are grateful to the University of Lleida (grant JADE Plus 218/2016), and to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Project AGL2017-87755-R) for funding this work. Wall-Martínez HA is grateful to the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT) of Mexico for the scholarship.

The fate of deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA) during the breadmaking process was studied. In particular, toxin content was analysed in mixed baking ingredients before kneading, after fermentation and proofing, and finally after baking. Fermentation and proofing were carried out at 30 C for 1 h, while baking was performed at different temperature levels (from 170 to 210 C) and baking times from 45 to 135 min, in a full factorial design. DON increased from unkneaded mix to fermented dough, and decreased due to baking; this trend depended on the initial concentration of DON in the flour. The level in the bread was significantly lower than in the initial mix of ingredients. In contrast, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-G) content increased both during kneading and fermentation, and also during baking. Moreover, the results confirmed the high stability of OTA as no significant change in its content could be observed as a result of the breadmaking process. As conclusion, the design of bakery product processes may help to control DON in final products, because although quite stable, its levels can be reduced to some extent. However, high levels of DON-3-G were released during baking, and this point should be further investigated. Mycotoxins have been always considered as stable compounds; however, in depth knowledge of the processing steps that may lead to some reduction (although limited) and those which can stimulate their release from conjugated forms, will definitely help in their control in finished foodstuffs., The authors are grateful to the Spanish government (projects AGL2010-22182-C04-04 and AGL2011-24862) for the financial support. A. Vidal thanks the Spanish Government (Ministry of Education) for the pre-doctoral grant. H. Morales is grateful to the Portuguese Government. (Ministerio da Ciecia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior; FCT Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia) Grant ref. SFRH/BPD/38011/2007.

The emerging risk management metrics, FSO, PO and PC, were applied to the aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) determination in 8 commercial lots of pistachio. In order to determine the sampling uncertainty, two sampling plans (EU official sampling and company plan) in quadruplicate, and two analytical methods (ELISA and HPLC), were considered in parallel. The combination of EU official sampling plan and HPLC proved to be the most appropriate option. The major variability was associated with the subfraction selection and, therefore, increasing the number of the analysed subfractions could be an alternative for reducing uncertainty. AFs were present in all lots, mainly AFB1 and AFB2, while OTA was never detected. The effect of toasting on AFs presence in pistachio (a performance criteria, PC) was evaluated in order to achieve a given PO, taking into account the FSO, i.e., the EC limits. Percentages of AFs reduction were 87.62% ± 11.89, 81.05% ± 15.51 and 86.74% ± 11.31 for AFB1, AFB2 and total AFs, respectively. Given an initial AFB1 and AFBs level ≤12 μg/kg and ≤15 μg/kg, respectively, the toasting would ensure the AFB1 and AFs legal limits compliance before human consumption (FSO). The authors are grateful to the Spanish government (project AGL2010-22182-C04-04) and EC, KBBE – Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology (project 222738- Selection and improving of fit-for-purpose sampling procedures for specific foods and risks) and Comissionat per a Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Innovació Universitats i Empresa de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR) and European Social Fund for the financial support.

The present study aimed to evaluate the use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI)-NIR spectroscopy to assess the presence of DON and ergosterol presence in wheat samples through prediction and classification models. To achieve these objectives, a first set of bulk samples was scanned by HSI-NIR and divided into two subsamples, in which one that was analysed for ergosterol and the other another that was analysed for DON by HPLC. Thise method was repeated for a second larger set to build prediction and classification models. All the spectra were pretreated and statistically processed by PLS and LDA. The pPrediction models presented a RMSEP of 1.17 mg/kg and 501 µg/kg for ergosterol and DON, respectively. Classification achieved an encouraging accuracy of 85.4% for an independent validation set of samples. The results confirm that HSI-NIR may be a suitable technique for ergosterol quantification and DON classification of samples according to the DON EU legal limit for DON. The authors are grateful to the University of Lleida (predoctoral grant), and to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Project AGL2017-87755-R) for funding this work.

A total of 147 Fusarium spp., predominantly from the section Liseola were isolated from cereals in Catalonia, Spain. Fusarium moniliforme was the predominant species (85.7%) isolated from these grains. Other species·included Fusarium sporotrichoides , Fusarium heterosporum , Fusarium tricinctum , Fusarium poae , Fusarium anthophilum and Fusarium subglutinans . The ability of these isolates and species to produce fumonisin B1 and B2 was assessed on moist sterile corn. This showed that about 34% of the strains from the section Liseola produced both fumonisin B1 and B2 although the quantities varied considerably. One isolate of F. subglutinans was demonstrated to produce both fumonisin B1 and B2.

The major objective of this study was to describe the effect of water activity and temperature on radial growth and production of ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA) on sorghum grains of three Aspergillus tubingensis and three Fusarium incarnatum isolates. The water activity range was 0.91–0.99 aw for F. incarnatum isolates and 0.88–0.99 aw for A. tubingensis isolates. Temperatures of incubation were 15, 25 and 37 °C for both species. Mycotoxin production was determined after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days depending on the growth rate of the six isolates. Maximum growth rates (mm/day) were observed at 37 °C and 0.99 aw for A. tubingensis isolates and at 0.99 aw and 25 °C for F. incarnatum isolates. A. tubingensis was able to grow at 15 °C only at the highest aw levels (0.97 and 0.99 aw). However, at this temperature F. incarnatum grew at 0.94 aw. Optimum ochratoxin A production was observed at 0.97 aw × 37 °Cwhereas optimal conditions for ZEA production varied fromone isolate to another. Moreover, isolates of F. incarnatum from Tunisia do not require high aw and temperature levels to yield maximum levels of ZEA. In general, our results showed that there is no correlation between the growth and production of ZEA in the case of F. incarnatum. This is the first study on the water activity and temperature effect on growth rate and ZEA production of F. incarnatum. Our results show that sorghum grains not only support growth but also OTA and ZEA production by A. tubingensis and F. incarnatum, respectively. The authors are grateful to the European Union (MYCORED KBBE-2007-2-5-05 project) and Tunisian Government (U12E503) for the financial support.

The stability of deoxynivalenol (DON), deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-glucoside), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) during thermal processing has been studied. Baking temperature, time and initial mycotoxin concentration in the raw materials were assayed as factors. An improved UPLC-MS/MS method to detect DON, DON-3-glucoside, 3-ADON, 15-ADON and DOM-1 in wheat baked products was developed in the present assay. The results highlighted the importance of temperature and time in mycotoxin stability in heat treatments. OTA is more stable than DON in a baking treatment. Interestingly, the DON-3-glucoside concentrations increased (>300%) under mild baking conditions. On the other hand, it was rapidly reduced under harsh conditions. The 3-ADON decreased during the heat treatment; while DOM-1 increased after the heating process. Finally, the data followed first order kinetics for analysed mycotoxins and thermal constant rates (k) were calculated. This parameter can be a useful tool for prediction of mycotoxin levels. The authors are grateful to the Spanish Government (projects AGL2010-22182-C04-04 and AGL2011-24862) for the financial support. A. Vidal thanks the Spanish Government (Ministry of Education) for the pre-doctoral grant.

Summary The effect of potassium sorbate on the growth and penicillic acid production of Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium aurantiogriseum was studied. Yeast extract sucrose (YES) broth at initial pH values of 5.5 or 7.0, and containing different concentrations of potassium sorbate was inoculated with fungal spores and incubated for 35 days at 28°C. In all cases, although the pH changes in sorbate-containing media were delayed, patterns were similar to those of the cultures without sorbate. This was most evident when the highest concentration of potassium sorbate was used. Potassium sorbate also inhibited mycelial growth. Penicillic acid production was initially delayed by the presence of potassium sorbate but this inhibition was eventually overcome (30–35 days) and penicillic acid levels at the end of the experiment were similar or higher then the controls. Generally cultures growing in culture media at an initial pH of 5.5 produced less toxin than those growing at pH 7.0.

Aspergillus ochraceus as a fungal contaminant and ochratoxin A (OTA) producer plays an important role in coffee quality. Temperature and water activity (a(w)) significantly influence mycelial growth and OTA production by isolates of A. ochraceus on green coffee beans. Maximum mycelial growth was found at 30 degrees C and 0.95 to 0.99 a(w). A marked decrease in growth rate was observed when temperature and a(w) were reduced. At 0.80 a(w), mycelial growth occurred only at 30 and 20 degrees C for one isolate. Maximum OTA production was found at 20 degrees C and 0.99 a(w). At 10 degrees C, OTA was not produced, regardless of a(w). Similarly, no OTA was detected at 0.80 a(w). OTA production ranged from the limit of detection (40 ng g(-1) of green coffee) to 17,000 ng g(-1) of green coffee. Significant intraspecific differences in mycelial growth and OTA production were found. Primary data for lag phases prior to mycelial growth under the influence of temperature and a(w) were modelled by multiple linear regression, and the response surface plots were obtained.

The heat resistance of three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from spoiled peach puree, in McIlvaine buffer (pH 4 and 7) and peach puree (pH 3.9) was studied. The D60-values in buffer at pH 7 were 0.75, 1.32 and 0.14 min for the strains 173, 180 and 325, respectively. The pH of the buffer did not influence the heat resistance of the three strains studied. The thermal sensitivity for all strains assayed was higher when peach puree was used with D60-values of 0.53, 0.20 and 0.10 min for the strains 173, 180 and 325, respectively. The menstrua used had limited influence on the z-values, varying between 3 (strain 173, pH 4) and 4 (strain 325, peach puree).

This review focuses on the fumonisin-producing Fusarium species and the ecophysiology of these species. The effects of environmental biotic and abiotic factors on germination, growth, and fumonisin B1 production by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum have been investigated under laboratory, field, and storage conditions. An understanding of the factors involved in production of fumonisins is the first step in preventing accumulation of these toxins.

Thirty-five patients with four-part displaced proximal humeral fractures and fracture-dislocations were retrospectively reviewed from the years 1977-1990. Thirty-three patients were available for study. All fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation allowing early motion. Surgical technique was as atraumatic as possible with the goal of restoring normal anatomy of the proximal humerus with a minimal fixation system. The fixation device consisted of two modified Kirschner wires introduced through the tuberosities and reinforced by a tension band wiring. Neer's criteria were used to evaluate results. With a mean follow-up of 7 years, results were excellent and satisfactory in 21 cases, nonsatisfactory in 10, and poor in two. The most common complication was avascular necrosis (nine patients). All cases of fracture-dislocations corresponded with the nonsatisfactory and poor results. Because of our results, we conclude that in four-part displaced fractures, open reduction and internal fixation with our system of osteosynthesis should be indicated initially. Prosthetic replacement should be considered as primary treatment in cases with marked comminution of the humeral head, in fracture-dislocations, and in patients > 75 years of age.

In 2009 the EU Regulation 386/2009 established a new functional group of feed additives called 'substances for reduction of the contamination of feed by mycotoxin'. Later, di-octahedral bentonite (1 m558) was authorised, as an anti-aflatoxin additive, being the only additive of this group authorised to date. This work aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of other bentonites, such as tri-octahedral bentonites, versus Fusarium-mycotoxins, since very few adsorbents have proved their effectiveness in relation to this group of mycotoxins. For this purpose, 7 bentonites (six of them tri-octahedral) and 7 commercial adsorbents, added at 0.02% (w/v), were assayed in an in vitro adsorption experiment using two simulated gastro-intestinal (GI) juices (pH 1.3 and 6.8) versus zearalenone (ZEN: 0.1-5 mg/L), fumonisin B1 (FB1: 1-10 mg/L) and deoxynivalenol (DON: 2-10 mg/L). Mycotoxin adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. In vitro adsorption experiments showed that ZEN and FB1 (in the latter case only in acid medium) were partially adsorbed, while the adsorption of DON was negligible. Moreover, the increase of adsorbent dose (up to 0.20%, w/v) significantly improved the in vitro adsorption of ZEN and FB1, reaching >90% of adsorption. The present work proposes the use of some tri-octahedral bentonites as feed additives for Fusarium-mycotoxin reduction. The authors are grateful to the following institutions: Spanish government (projects AGL2014-52648-REDT and RTC-2015-3508-2–ERDF. A way to make Europe, funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain and by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union with the objective of “Promoting technological development, innovation and quality research”) and to XaRTA (The Catalonian Reference Network in Food Technology) for funding. P. Vila-Donat thanks MINECO for her postdoctoral contract.

The effects of water activity (aw, 0.994–0.90 ≡ 0.4–14.0 (–)MPa water potential), temperature (4–45 °C), and pH (3.6, 5.5, 7.0), and their interactions on growth of isolates of Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum were determined in vitro on a maize extract agar medium. Growth of two isolates of F. moniliforme and four isolates of F. proliferatum were significantly influenced by water activity regardless of solute type used (NaCl, glycerol, or glucose). However, at steady-state aw levels, growth was optimum at 0.994–0.98 aw and reduced significantly at 0.92 aw. Further detailed studies with one isolate of F. moniliforme (25N) and two isolates of F. proliferatum (73N, 13 IN) showed that growth occurred over the range of 0.994–0.90 aw in the temperature range 20–35 °C with slight differences between species. Growth did occur at 4 °C and 0.994–0.96 aw, but no growth was recorded at 40 and 45 °C regardless of aw. Profiles of aw × temperature relations for growth of these two species were constructed from these data for the first time. Optimum pH and temperature for growth was 5.5 and 25 °C for both isolates of F. proliferatum, and pH 7.0 and 30 °C for the isolate of F. moniliforme. However, for the latter isolate at w, optimum pH and temperature for growth changed. The effects of pH, temperature, and aw for single, two-way and three-way interactions were all found to be statistically significant for these three isolates. The ecological significance of this information for understanding these important fumonisin-producing fungi is discussed.Key words: water activity, temperature, fumonisin-producing, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium proliferatum, maize.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the highest occurring mycotoxin of Fusarium species. Its presence in cereal-based infant foods is extremely undesirable, especially considering the increased sensitivity of this population group to toxins. There are various studies on the influence of processing operations on DON and its conjugated levels in raw materials, however there is no available publication on baby food production process impact on DON. According to the available studies on the occurrence of DON and its conjugates in cereal15 based infant food, it often occurs above the legally allowed limit, thus there is a need to study the influence of production processes on its evolution from raw materials to the final product. The available studies suggest that there are two production steps with a significant impact on DON concentration, namely enzymatic hydrolysis, which leads to its increase due to the release of the toxin from the cereal matrix, and drum drying, which might decrease DON concentration thanks to the high temperatures employed and highly efficient temperature penetration into the product. The authors are grateful to the University of Lleida (grant JADE Plus 218/2016), and to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, Project AGL2017-87755-R) for funding this work.

The predominant fungi present in samples of reject and retail red kidney beans were Aspergillus glaucus, Penicillium spp. and Alternaria spp. Together with A. ochraceus, A. flavus, Fusarium spp., and Trichoderma, these isolates from the reject beans were screened for numerous mycotoxins by TLC. The most consistently produced mycotoxins were penicillic acid (from A. ochraceus and Penicillium spp.) and Alternaria toxins (tenuazonic acid and alternariol). A. glaucus strains were tested for cytotoxicity in three tissue culture cell lines with positive results.

A study of the citrinin producing capacity in 122 Penicillium expansum strains isolated from apples and various locations of apple packaging premises Lleida (Spain) was conducted. Among the strains examined, 46% produced citrinin in a laboratory substrate and 73.2% of these strains were isolated from decayed apples. All citrinin producing strains produced metabolites which inhibited Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis. The majority of the strains producing citrinin in solid substrate also produced citrinin in apples and apple juices.

WOS: 000372866900001, The NEutron Detector Array (NEDA) project aims at the construction of a new high-efficiency compact neutron detector array to be coupled with large gamma-ray arrays such as AGATA. The application of NEDA ranges from its use as selective neutron multiplicity filter for fusion-evaporation reaction to a large solid angle neutron tagging device. In the present work, possible configurations for the NEDA coupled with the Neutron Wall for the early implementation with AGATA has been simulated, using Monte Carlo techniques, in order to evaluate their performance figures. The goal of this early NEDA implementation is to improve, with respect to previous instruments, efficiency and capability to select multiplicity for fusion-evaporation reaction channels in which 1, 2 or 3 neutrons are emitted. Each NEDA detector unit has the shape of a regular hexagonal prism with a volume of about 3.23 l and it is filled with the EJ301 liquid scintillator, that presents good neutron-gamma discrimination properties. The simulations have been performed using a fusion-evaporation event generator that has been validated with a set of experimental data obtained in the Ni-58 + Fe-56 reaction measured with the Neutron Wall detector array., MINECO, Spain [FPA2011-29854-C04, FPA2012-33650, FPA2014-57196-C5]; Generalitat Valenciana, Spain [PROMETEO/2010/101, PROMETEOII/2014/019]; European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) of European Commission; Swedish Research Council; Polish National Science Centre [801/N-COPIN/2010/0, UM0-2014/14/M/ST2/00738, UM0-2013/08/M/ST2/0025]; Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey [106T055, 114F473]; UK STFC [ST/L005727/1]; Science and Technology Facilities Council [ST/L005727/1, ST/L005735/1], This work was partially supported by MINECO, Spain, under the grants FPA2011-29854-C04, FPA2012-33650 and FPA2014-57196-C5, and Generalitat Valenciana, Spain, under the grants PROMETEO/2010/101 and PROMETEOII/2014/019, The European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) of European Commission, the Swedish Research Council, the Polish National Science Centre under contracts: 801/N-COPIN/2010/0 (COPIN/IN2P3 collaboration), UM0-2014/14/M/ST2/00738 (COPIN-INFN collaboration), UM0-2013/08/M/ST2/0025 (LEA-COPIGAL collaboration), the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (Proj. no. 106T055 and 114F473), and the UK STFC (ST/L005727/1).