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ABSTRACT Sorghum is a major ingredient used in the production of complementary foods in Kenya's drylands, particularly in areas like Kerio Valley. However, it is known to be susceptible to aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination, which have adverse effects on human health. The current study aimed to assess the levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin in sorghum kernels and flour from Kerio Valley and to investigate whether fermentation (spontaneous or innoculum facilated) could reduce the levels of toxins. The sorghum samples were obtained through a cross‐sectional survey and subjected to ELISA analysis for quantification of aflatoxin and fumonisin levels. The aflatoxin levels ranged from 0 to 119.91 ppb for sorghum kernels and from 2.70 to 89.36 ppb in the flour, while fumonisin concentrations ranged from 0 to 30.65 ppm in sorghum kernels and 0.22 to 27.27 ppm in the flour. Fermentation significantly reduced the levels of the toxins in sorghum samples (p ≤ 0.05). The type of fermentation (p = 0.001), sample fermented (kernels or flour) (p = 0.004), and duration of fermentation (p = 0.037) significantly impacted the reduction of both toxins. Therefore, there is a need to integrate the adoption of fermentation with other effective postharvest practices to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in sorghum and other cereal‐based foods. In addition to the customary health and nutrition messages, promoting proper food handling, storage, and processing can significantly contribute to improving food safety and the overall health and nutritional status of young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections are becoming a severe threat to the security of global public health due to the extensive use of antibiotic medications and the rise in immune‐deficient patients globally. Additionally, there is an increase in the development of fungus resistance to available antifungal medications. It is necessary to focus on the development of new antifungal medications in order to address these problems. The wide range of chemical structures, low cost, high availability, high antimicrobial action, and lack of adverse effects are the characteristics of plant secondary metabolites. In order to find and develop new antifungal medications, plant secondary metabolites like glucosinolate (GSL) derivatives are crucial sources of information. These natural compounds are enzymatically transformed into isothiocyanates (ITCs), nitriles, epithionitriles, oxazolidin‐2‐thion, and thiocyanate when they get mechanically damaged. The current review offers a thorough understanding of how isothiocyanates affect fungi with detailed mechanism. Along with this antifungal activity of nitriles, epithionitriles, oxazolidin‐2‐thion, and thiocyanate are mentioned. The review summarizes our present understanding of the following subjects: role of isothiocyanate by inhibiting aflatoxin biosynthesis, effect of isothiocyanate on transcriptomes, isothiocyanate targets cell membrane, role of isothiocyanate in efflux, and the role of isothiocyanate in synergistic activity. Antifungal activity of nitrile, epithionitrile, oxazolidine‐2‐thion, and thiocyanate is mentioned. Cytotoxicity study and clinical trials data were also added. More extensive studies will be needed in this field to assess safety concerns and clinical efficacies of GSL derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application Ethanolic cashew leaf extract (ECLE) is rich in phenolic compounds with diverse bioactivities and can serve as a safe natural preservative. This study evaluated the antifungal activity and application of ECLE for shelf‐life extension of dried salted tilapia fillets. Several extraction methods, antifungal activity, and application of ECLE in dried salted tilapia fillets were investigated. Ultrasonication followed by the Soxhlet extraction resulted in the highest yield (26.78%), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) (p < 0.05). Conversely, the Soxhlet extraction method rendered lower yield (14.35%), TPC, and TFC (p < 0.05). NaCl at high concentrations decreased both TPC and TFC in all ECLE samples, demonstrating the decomposition of those compounds induced by NaCl. ECLE obtained via the Soxhlet extraction method exhibited lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration values than those prepared using other extraction methods. Thus, the former showed higher efficacy in inhibiting fungal growth and reducing mycelium growth than others (p < 0.05), despite being less effective than potassium sorbate. At 4MIC, ECLE inhibited mycelium growth (56.83%–78.66%) and spore germination (87.5%–100%) after 72 h and 10–16 h of treatment, respectively. ECLE (4MIC) could inhibit the toxin production of fungi. For the challenge test, in which ECLE at 400 and 600 mg/kg was added to dried salted tilapia fillet inoculated with Aspergillus flavus, fungal growth was retarded over 9 days of storage at 25 ± 2°C (room temperature). Thus, ECEL could act as a natural food preservative to prevent fungal contamination. Toxin from fungi could be avoided, and the quality of dried salted fish was maintained.Cashew leaf extract rich in polyphenols can inhibit fungal proliferation, reduce mycelium expansion, prevent spore germination, and limit aflatoxin production. The extract can enhance the safety of dried salted fish, especially when contaminated with Aspergillus flavus in the humid atmosphere (80% relative humidity), particularly for small and medium enterprises. Nevertheless, this extract can also be applied in the fish processing industry, in which the synthetic antifungal agent could be replaced by the natural additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortly after its discovery in 1960, aflatoxin – a group of fungal toxins or mycotoxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in food crops such as maize, peanuts and tree nuts – was found to cause liver cancer in humans and multiple animal species. Hence, regulations on maximum allowable aflatoxin levels in food worldwide have focused on protecting humans from aflatoxin's carcinogenic effects. However, aflatoxin may also have non-carcinogenic health effects (e.g., immunotoxicity) that are particularly relevant today. Our current review highlights the growing evidence that aflatoxin exposure adversely affects immunity. Here, we comprehensively evaluated human and mammalian animal studies that link aflatoxin exposure with adverse effects on the immune system. We organized the review by organism as well as by the effects on adaptive and innate immune functions. There is abundant evidence that aflatoxin exhibits immunotoxicity, and therefore may compromise the ability of both humans and animals to resist infections. However, the reported effects of aflatoxin on certain specific immune biomarkers are inconsistent in the existing literature. The extent of the immunotoxic effects of aflatoxin must be clarified, so that the contribution of such immunotoxicity to the overall burden of aflatoxin-related diseases can be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the present study, fresh whole corn plants along with half milk kernels line were treated with live and hydrolysed yeast with different concentrations before ensiling and kept in airtight bags and then into mini silos in order to achieve anaerobic conditions for proper fermentation. The buckets were opened after different time intervals to characterise the material, quick acidification, dry matter recovery, and aerobic stability of silage respectively. Moreover, mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination were also analysed. The overall result reported that the silage quality was improved by the application of live and hydrolysed yeast. The best result was reported by the application of live yeast (T2: 10 g/kg) which significantly improved the fermentative, proximate, and digestibility parameters and reduced the mycoflora and aflatoxin contamination. Our results present promising new options for the use of natural compounds that may help to improve silage quality and reduce aflatoxin contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionsMycotoxins, fungal metabolites prevalent in many foods, are recognized for their role in carcinogenesis, especially when interacting with oncogenic viruses.This scoping review synthesizes current evidence on the human cancer risk associated with mycotoxin exposure and oncogenic virus infections.Searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were selected based on the PECOS framework. Data extraction involved narrative and qualitative presentation of findings, with meta-analysis where feasible. Risk of bias and outcome quality were assessed using the OHAT tool and GRADE approach.From 25 included studies, 18 focused on aflatoxins and hepatitis viruses in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Four studies examined aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and human papilloma virus (HPV) in cervical cancer, while three investigated AFB1 with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in lymphomagenesis. The review highlights a significant synergistic effect between AFB1 and hepatitis B and C viruses in HCC development. Significant interactions between AFB1 and HPV, as well as AFB1 and EBV, were observed, but further research is needed.The synergistic impact of mycotoxins and oncogenic viruses is a critical public health concern. Future research, especially prospective cohort studies and investigations into molecular mechanisms, is essential to address this complex issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent contaminant in agricultural products, presenting significant risks to animal health. CotA laccase from Bacillus licheniformis has shown significant efficacy in degrading mycotoxins in vitro test. The efficacy of Bacillus CotA laccase in animals, however, remains to be confirmed. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of Bacillus CotA laccase level (0 or 1 U/kg), AFB1 challenge (challenged or unchallenged) and their interactions on ducks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Bacillus CotA laccase in alleviating AFB1 toxicosis of ducks. Results: Bacillus CotA laccase alleviated AFB1-induced declines in growth performance of ducks accompanied by improved average daily gain (ADG) and lower feed/gain ratio (F/G). Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced gut barrier dysfunctions and inflammation testified by increasing the jejunal villi height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) and the mRNA expression of tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) as well as decreasing the expression of inflammation-related genes in the jejunum of ducks. Amino acid metabolome showed that Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced amino acid metabolism disorders evidenced by increasing the level of glutamic acid in serum and upregulating the expression of amino acid transport related genes in jejunum of ducks. Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced liver injury testified by suppressing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and downregulating the expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme related genes of ducks. Moreover, Bacillus CotA laccase degraded AFB1 in digestive tract of ducks, resulting in the reduced absorption level of AFB1 across intestinal epithelium testified by the decreased level of AFB1-DNA adduct in the liver, and the reduced content of AFB1 residues in liver and feces of ducks. Conclusions: Bacillus CotA laccase effectively improved the growth performance, intestinal health, amino acid metabolism and hepatic aflatoxin metabolism of ducks fed AFB1 diets, highlighting its potential as an efficient and safe feed enzyme for AFB1 degradation in animal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal HacA/Hac1 transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR helps cells to maintain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein homeostasis, which is critical for growth, development, and virulence. The Aspergillus flavus hacA gene encodes a domain rich in basic and acidic amino acids (Bsc) and a basic leucine zipper (bZip) domain, and features a non-conventional intron (Nt20). In this study, CRISPR/Cas9 was utilized to dissect the Bsc-coding, bZip-coding, and Nt20 sequences to elucidate the relationship between genotype and phenotype. In the Bsc and bZip experimental sets, all observed mutations in both coding sequences were in frame, suggesting that out-of-frame mutations are lethal. The survival rate of transformants in the Nt20 experiment set was low, at approximately 7%. Mutations in the intron primarily consisted of out-of-frame insertions and deletions. In addition to the wild-type-like conidial morphology, the mutants exhibited varied colony morphologies, including sclerotial, mixed (conidial and sclerotial), and mycelial morphologies. An ER stress test using dithiothreitol revealed that the sclerotial and mycelial mutants were much more sensitive than the conidial mutants. Additionally, the mycelial mutants were unable to produce aflatoxin but still produced aspergillic acid and kojic acid. RNAi experiments targeting the region encompassing Bsc and bZip indicated that transformant survival rates generally decreased, with a small number of transformants displaying phenotypic changes. Defects in the hacA gene at the DNA and transcript levels affected the survival, growth, and development of A. flavus. Thus, this gene may serve as a promising target for future host-induced gene-silencing strategies aimed at controlling infection and reducing aflatoxin contamination in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are carcinogens that can contaminate food and affect various body organs especially liver and kidney. When consumed, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is partially metabolised into aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is excreted in the urine. Breast milk may also contain AFM1 due to maternal dietary intake from contaminated food. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the levels of AFM1 in both urine and breast milk among breastfeeding mothers (n = 256). The mother's demographic information was collected during recruitment. Mothers were then scheduled for an appointment to provide a morning urine sample along with five to ten mL samples of breast milk. AFM1 levels in both samples were analysed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spearman's rho and Chi-square were used to determine the associations between mean levels of AFM1 in urine and breast milk. Findings show 68.0% of urine samples were contaminated with AFM1 (mean levels = 0.08 ± 0.04 ng/mL), while 14.8% of breast milk samples had AFM1 (mean levels = 5.94 ± 1.81 ng/kg). Urine AFM1 levels were not significantly associated with AFM1 levels in breast milk (p > 0.05). This study can act as a baseline for future research examining long-term aflatoxin exposure among both mothers and infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic mycotoxins produced by the fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. AFs pose severe health risks owing to their acute toxicity and carcinogenic properties. The control of AF contamination remains significantly challenging despite the extensive efforts toward controlling it. Here, we investigated the potential of mushroom extracts as a source of AF biosynthetic inhibitors. The A. parasiticus mutant strain, NFRI-95, that accumulates an AF biosynthesis intermediate, norsolorinic acid, was used in the bioassay to detect the inhibitory activity against AF biosynthesis. The screening of 195 mushroom extracts revealed that the culture filtrate extract of Chondrostereum purpureum exhibited strong inhibitory activity against AF biosynthesis. Next, large-scale culturing of C. purpureum was performed to isolate the compounds accounting for the inhibitory activity. The culture filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate, after which the active compound was isolated by silica gel column chromatography and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The active compound was identified as cyclo(Val–Pro) by spectroscopic analyses. Further, four stereoisomers of cyclo(Val–Pro) were synthesized by the condensation of the N -Boc derivatives of d - and l -valine with the methyl esters of d - and l -proline. The naturally isolated compound was identified as cyclo(l -Val- l -Pro) by comparing its retention time with those of synthetic compounds by chiral HPLC analysis and CD spectra. The IC 50 value of cyclo(L-Val-L-Pro) was 2.4 mM, whereas the LD, DL, and DD isomers exhibited weaker activities, with IC 50 values of >5 mM. • Aflatoxin (AF) biosynthesis inhibitors were explored using mushroom extracts. • An extract of Chondrostereum purpureum effectively inhibited AF biosynthesis. • Cyclo(l -valyl- l -proline) was isolated from the C. purpureum culture filtrate. • Four cyclo(Val–Pro) isomers were synthesized. • Cyclo(l -valyl- l -proline) showed the strongest inhibitory activity among the isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a plant-origin toxin that could induce oxidative stress in fish. The micromineral selenium (Se) possesses well-documented antioxidant properties. To assess the ameliorative effects of SeNPs (1 mg/kg fish feed) on oxidative stress induced by AFB1 (500 μg/kg fish feed), Nile tilapia (32.2±1.7 g body weight) were distributed randomly and even in six groups for 8-week feeding trial. Live enzymes, AST, ALT, and ALP levels were increased in the serum of fish fed AFB1-contaminated diet, and the addition of SeNPs could restore normal values compared to the control. The gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme and catalase (CAT) enzyme, and DNA fragmentation were significantly increased in response to aflatoxin exposure, while dietary SeNPs could mitigate the generated oxidative stress. The innate immunity, serum antibacterial activity (SAA), oxidative burst activity (OBA), phagocytic activities (PA and PI), and gene expression of cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, heat shock protein70 (Hsp), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) revealed a status of immunosuppression in Nile tilapia fed on AFB1-contaminated diet. These findings showed that fish became more vulnerable to Streptococcus agalactiae infection with a high mortality rate while dietary SeNPs provided a high relative protection level (RPL). From the obtained findings, SeNPs could mitigate the oxidative stress induced by feeding the AFB1 diet and could boost the immunity of stressed Nile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main strategy in poultry production, is the elimination of mycotoxin adverse impacts. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of Moringa oleifera (MO), Lactoferrin (LF), and Syner-tox (ST) in preventing the adverse impact of aflatoxin (AF). 180 eight-day-old broiler chicks divided into nine equal groups (20 each) as follows: Gp1 served as normal non-treated group, Gp2 served as AF non-treated group, Gp3 served as AF + MO treated group, Gp4 served as AF + LF treated group, Gp5 served as AF + ST treated group, Gp6 served as AF + MO + ST treated group, Gp7 served as AF + LF+ ST treated group, Gp8 served as AF + MO + LF treated group, Gp9 served as AF + MO + LF + ST treated group. The used dose of AF was 0.25 mg/kg diet, MO was 3 g/kg diet, LF was 250 mg/kg diet and ST 0.5 ml/liter/5days/week for 4 weeks. A significant reduce in growth performance, many hematological indices, and free amino acid along with modification in antioxidant markers. Conversely, increase in serum nitric oxide, liver and kidney biomarkers and malondialdehyde in liver contents with histopathological changs were observed in AF non-treated. The supplementation of MO, LF and/or ST showed strong antioxidant properties. Furthermore, these treatments enhanced the chickens' immune systems and restored all histopathological alters recorded in AF non-treated Gp. Therefore, the use of MO and LF in the elemination of aflatoxins in poultry feed is suggested as it is cheap and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination poses a fatal risk to human beings and urgently needs highly sensitive detection for environmental monitoring and food safety. However, the existing challenges are the unsatisfied sensitivity of the immunoassay methods and the complex matrix effect. Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a promising method for nucleic acid isothermal amplification due to its high specificity and sensitivity. Herein, we constructed a general RCA-based point-of-care test method (RCA−POCT). With biotinylated antibodies, streptavidin, and biotinylated RCA primers, we realized the signal transduction and preliminary signal amplification. In this way, the fluorescent signal of the immunocomplex on the microwells was greatly enhanced. Under optimal conditions, we recorded sensitive detection limits for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) of 1.94, 16.3, and 37.7 fg/mL (femtogram per microliter), and wide linear ranges with 5 × 10−6 to 5, 5 × 10−5 to 5, and 5 × 10−5 to 5 ng/mL in the irrigation water, field soil, and peanut samples, respectively. Satisfactory recovery, specificity, repeatability, and reproducibility were observed. The RCA−POCT was validated by comparing it to the HPLC method. This work provides a general RCA-assisted detection method for AFB1 in the environment and food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, and they are deemed the most perilous mycotoxin and food safety predicament. The exposure of humans to mycotoxins transpires either directly through the consumption of contaminated agricultural commodities or indirectly through the ingestion of items derived from animals that have been nourished with tainted substances of animal origin. To ensure the detoxification of AFs in animal and plant food products and to mitigate the risks they pose to public health and the economy, diverse techniques (physical, chemical, and biological) have been subject to scrutiny. By altering and eradicating the molecular structure of the toxin, all of these approaches impede its transmission to the digestive system and potentially diminish the accessibility of toxins to the target tissue, ultimately eliminating them. Given the pervasive predicaments attributed to the contamination of foods and feeds by AFs, it is of utmost importance to urgently devise cost-effective and appropriate strategies to combat this hazard. This review highlights the concept of AFs, definitions, and benefits of postbiotics and their biological role in the detoxification of AFs, as well as their benefits in the food-pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural plant extracts offer numerous health benefits for rabbits, including improved feed utilization, antimycotic and antiaflatoxigenic effect, antioxidants, immunological modulation, and growth performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on the performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidants, and villus morphology. A total of 45 Moshtohor 4 weeks old weaned male rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups (15 rabbit/each) each group with 5 replicates. The first group served as the control group feed on an infected diet by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 0.02 mg/kg BW, while the second and third groups received an infected diet by AFB1 (0.02 mg/kg BW) and was treated with Silymarin 20 mg/kg BW/day or 30 mg/kg BW/day, respectively. Regarding the growth performance, silymarin supplementation significantly improved the final body weight compared with the control group. Physiologically, silymarin induced high level of dose-dependent total red blood cell count, hematocrit, eosinophils, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxid dismutase, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacityand intestinal villi width and length. Moreover, silymarin significantly restricted oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceridein rabbits treated with (AFB1). In conclusion, silymarin supplementation to AFB1 contaminated rabbit diet may mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on the rabbit performance and health status and increase growth performance, average daily gain, immunological modulation and antioxidants and provide a theoretical basis for the application of silymarin in livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is among the poisonous mycotoxins that contaminate food and feed. Limited studies are available on the efficacy of chamomile (Cha) against oxidative stress, liver damage and pro‐inflammatory response induced by AFB1. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of Cha on the performance and protective effects against AFB1 in growing rabbits. The experimental rabbits were divided into four different groups, including Cha (70 mg kg day−1), AFB1 (AF; 30 μg kg day−1), AFB1+Cha (AFLCha) and control (CON). The results indicated that the AFB1 treatment had lower values of performance, and carcass parameters compared to the Cha and AFLCha treatments. Furthermore, the Cha and AFLCha groups had lower values of liver and kidney function activities compared to the AFB1 treatment. The higher values of antioxidant enzymes were observed in Cha and AFLCha treatments than in the AFB1 treatment. AFB1 treatments had higher levels of malondialdehyde and liver functions with lower levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione and superoxide dismutase) compared to Cha and CON groups. In conclusion, dietary Cha could mitigate the oxidative stress of AFB1‐induced liver deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our study, hazelnut samples taken randomly from 20 different markets in Afyonkarahisar were evaluated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for their aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), aflatoxin G2 (AFG2), total aflatoxin (AF) and ochratoxin A (OTA) contents. In addition, in order to determine the fungal contamination in the samples, fungus was isolated and classified at the genus level. According to the results obtained, the fungus was isolated from hazelnut samples in all regions except two localities. 1.8070 ng/ml AFG1 was found to be the highest aflatoxin amount in the central 5th sampling area. When the data obtained was evaluated, the detected aflatoxin amounts did not exceed the Turkish Food Codex limits. Therefore, no high potential risk was detected in the hazelnut samples in the study. However, in order to make a potential risk assessment; even if aflatoxin and ochratoxin are present in small amounts, they should be evaluated for the possibility of being taken into the body with various foods and accumulating in the liver in the long term, and this study will the basis for future studies. Additionally, there has been no previous study on this subject in Afyonkarahisar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus, a fungus known for producing aflatoxins, poses significant threats to agriculture and global health. Flavonoids, plant-derived compounds, inhibit A. flavus proliferation and mitigate aflatoxin production, although the precise molecular and physical mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated three flavonoids—apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin—applied to A. flavus NRRL 3357. We determined the following: (1) glycosylated luteolin led to a 10% reduction in maximum fungal growth capacity; (2) quercetin affected cell wall integrity by triggering extreme mycelial collapse, while apigenin and luteolin caused peeling of the outer layer of cell wall; (3) luteolin exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity in the environment compared to apigenin and quercetin; (4) osmotic stress assays did not reveal morphological defects; (5) flavonoids promoted cell adherence, a precursor for biofilm formation; and (6) RNA sequencing analysis revealed that flavonoids impact expression of putative cell wall and plasma membrane biosynthesis genes. Our findings suggest that the differential effects of quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin on membrane integrity and biofilm formation may be driven by their interactions with fungal cell walls. These insights may inform the development of novel antifungal additives or plant breeding strategies focusing on plant-derived compounds in crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effect of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) in ameliorating adverse effects of aflatoxin on in vitro rumen fermentation, five treatment groups, viz., T1: control (wheat straw; 0.2 g); T2: T1+300 ppb Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1); T3: T2+0.33% HSCAS; T4: T2+0.5% HSCAS and T5: T2+ 1.0% HSCAS were prepared and incubated in vitro. The results revealed that truly degradable dry matter (TDDM), truly degradable organic matter (TDOM), gas production (GP), microbial biomass production (MBP) and partitioning factor (PF) values in aflatoxin contaminated group (T2) were lower (p<0.05) than those of other treatment groups. The TDDM, TDOM, GP, MBP and PF values in control group (T1) were higher than those of other treatment groups, i.e., T2 to T5. These parameters improved with increasing concentration of HSCAS. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate (A), propionate (P) and butyrate (B) values in control group (T1) were higher (p<0.05) than those of other treatment groups, i.e., T2 to T5. The TVFA, A, P and B values in aflatoxin contaminated T2 group were lower (p<0.05) than those of other treatment groups. The A:P value among various dietary treatments did not vary significantly. It was concluded that aflatoxin contamination of feed (wheat straw) at 300 ppb level significantly affected the in vitro rumen fermentation in terms of reduced TDDM, TDOM, GP, MBP, PF, TVFA concentration. Inclusion of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate to the aflatoxin contaminated feed partially ameliorated the adverse effects of aflatoxin on in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins, a group of toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species, pose significant threats to human health due to their potent carcinogenic, mutagenic, and immunosuppressive properties. Chronic exposure to these contaminants, commonly found in staple foods such as maize and groundnuts, has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, growth impairment, and immune dysfunction. Several agents, such as calcium montmorillonite clay and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, have shown promise in reducing aflatoxin bioavailability and alleviating its toxic effects. Additionally, dietary supplements such as chlorophyllin, selenium, and N-acetylcysteine have demonstrated potential as adjuvants to counteract aflatoxin-induced oxidative stress and support liver function. In this treatise, some of the most discussed approaches to mitigating aflatoxin effects are explored in terms of their efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of action, which include direct aflatoxin binding, detoxification, cellular antioxidative, and hepatocellular protection properties. However, the effectiveness of these strategies can be influenced by various factors, such as dose, duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility. Therefore, further research is needed to optimize these interventions and develop new, targeted therapies for the prevention and treatment of aflatoxin-related diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of 18 pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, supplement, and probiotic strategies currently available for mitigating the deleterious effects of chronic aflatoxin exposure in humans and animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of review: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been categorized as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Considering its significant public health implications, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the different routes of exposure and biomarkers of aflatoxin. Recent findings: The main mechanisms by which aflatoxins cause harm to the body are oxidative stress, immune suppression, and DNA damage. More attention has recently been paid to investigating exposure through occupational and transplacental routes. Aflatoxin exposure is linked to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes, like low birth weight, according to the recent literature currently available on human studies. As aflatoxin can cause a variety of mutations and DNA damage, the AFB1-N7 guanine adduct has gained special interest in cancer research and toxicity. The most commonly used biomarker currently for determining chronic and consistent exposure to this carcinogen is aflatoxin B1-lysine serum albumin adduct in human blood samples (2–3 months). Recent research also investigates the potential for using hair analysis to study chronic exposure. Summary: The three main routes of aflatoxin exposure are dietary, occupational, and transplacental. Biomarkers can be found in a variety of biological samples, such as blood, hair, faeces, milk, urine, and bronchalveolar lavage. Surprisingly, there is an absence of cutoff limits for aflatoxin levels in biological fluids concerning adverse health effects in humans. Given the potential carcinogenic effects and the significant public health implications of aflatoxin, prioritizing the identification of new biomarkers for evaluating chronic exposure is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to diagnose the ability of two probiotic strains isolated from Siahmazgi cheese to reduce the concentration of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which was able to reduce it up to 50%. Two strains of Lactobacillus isolated from local Siahmazgi cheese, were inoculated into raw milk containing 10 ng/mL AFM1. AFM1 levels were assessed by HPLC at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Also, for the assessment of the possible reduction of AFM1 by non-viable bacterial cells, heat treatment was applied in milk. In general, significant differences were observed between the control group and AFM1 contaminated milk samples containing probiotics during 72 h of refrigeration (p < 0.05). In the presence of Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum and mixture probiotics, the concentrations of AFM1 ranged from 0.102 ± 0.004 ng/mL to 0.052 ± 0.002 ng/mL, 0.114 ± 0.002 ng/mL to 0.074 ± 0.003 ng/mL and 0.108 ± 0.003 ng/mL to 0.065 ± 0.002 ng/mL, respectively. Also, in the heated group, just a decrease was observed in the first 24 h. The results showed that native Iranian strains of Lactobacillus have good potential in reducing AFM1 in milk. The time factor is effective in reducing AFM1 by living bacterial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic solid phase extraction (M-SPE) based on covalent organic framework materials coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the efficient determination of four aflatoxins (AFs) in tea. The samples were extracted with a mixture of acetonitrile, water and glacial acetic acid (8.0:1.9:0.1, V/V) and centrifuged. The supernatant was evaporated to almost dryness, re-dissolved in water and pH adjusted, extracted M-SPE and filtered, and the filtrate was detected in the positive ion mode. The calibration curves for all analytes were linear in the range of 0.05–50 μg/L with coefficients of determination (R2) > 0.999 2, the spiked recoveries were in the range of 67.6%-103.7%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) for intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 9.24%, the limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 0.01-0.06 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) of the developed method were in the range of 0.05-0.20 μg/kg. The covalent organic framework material prepared in this study has a strong adsorption capacity for AFs, and M-SPE-HPLC-MS/MS is suitable for the rapid, highly sensitive and accurate detection of AFs in tea.

Abstract Background Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent contaminant in agricultural products, presenting significant risks to animal health. CotA laccase from Bacillus licheniformis has shown significant efficacy in degrading mycotoxins in vitro test. The efficacy of Bacillus CotA laccase in animals, however, remains to be confirmed. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of Bacillus CotA laccase level (0 or 1 U/kg), AFB1 challenge (challenged or unchallenged) and their interactions on ducks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Bacillus CotA laccase in alleviating AFB1 toxicosis of ducks. Results Bacillus CotA laccase alleviated AFB1-induced declines in growth performance of ducks accompanied by improved average daily gain (ADG) and lower feed/gain ratio (F/G). Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced gut barrier dysfunctions and inflammation testified by increasing the jejunal villi height/crypt depth ratio (VH/CD) and the mRNA expression of tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) and zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1) as well as decreasing the expression of inflammation-related genes in the jejunum of ducks. Amino acid metabolome showed that Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced amino acid metabolism disorders evidenced by increasing the level of glutamic acid in serum and upregulating the expression of amino acid transport related genes in jejunum of ducks. Bacillus CotA laccase ameliorated AFB1-induced liver injury testified by suppressing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and downregulating the expression of hepatic metabolic enzyme related genes of ducks. Moreover, Bacillus CotA laccase degraded AFB1 in digestive tract of ducks, resulting in the reduced absorption level of AFB1 across intestinal epithelium testified by the decreased level of AFB1-DNA adduct in the liver, and the reduced content of AFB1 residues in liver and feces of ducks. Conclusions Bacillus CotA laccase effectively improved the growth performance, intestinal health, amino acid metabolism and hepatic aflatoxin metabolism of ducks fed AFB1 diets, highlighting its potential as an efficient and safe feed enzyme for AFB1 degradation in animal production. Graphical Abstract

Mycotoxins-producing fungi can enter the body of animals and humans by contaminating grain and fodder. Aflatoxins are potential carcinogens that can lead to severe health issues such as neurological disorders and liver or kidney failure. In this study, we employed a combination of the QuEChERS method and Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME) for the extraction and determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 from corn samples, using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD). We investigated and optimized the key factors affecting both stages of the extraction process. The developed method was validated by assessing parameters such as the linear range, limits of detection and quantification, repeatability, and extraction recovery. The linear range of the technique, with a coefficient of determination exceeding 0.996, spanned from 0.23 to 200 ng/g. The method achieved a low limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.23-0.38 ng/g, which is below the permissible limits for the target aflatoxins in corn. The method's reproducibility ranged from 3.9% to 7.1%, and extraction recovery was between 60% and 73%. The technique was applied to corn samples to detect aflatoxin B1 in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 11.2 ng/g. Overall, the proposed method is accurate, reliable, and highly efficient for analyzing and identifying aflatoxins in corn samples.

Abstract Natural plant extracts offer numerous health benefits for rabbits, including improved feed utilization, antimycotic and antiaflatoxigenic effect, antioxidants, immunological modulation, and growth performance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on the performance, hemato-biochemical indices, antioxidants, and villus morphology. A total of 45 Moshtohor 4 weeks old weaned male rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups (15 rabbit/each) each group with 5 replicates. The first group served as the control group feed on an infected diet by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) 0.02 mg/kg BW, while the second and third groups received an infected diet by AFB1 (0.02 mg/kg BW) and was treated with Silymarin 20 mg/kg BW/day or 30 mg/kg BW/day, respectively. Regarding the growth performance, silymarin supplementation significantly improved the final body weight compared with the control group. Physiologically, silymarin induced high level of dose-dependent total red blood cell count, hematocrit, eosinophils, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxid dismutase, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacityand intestinal villi width and length. Moreover, silymarin significantly restricted oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde, Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceridein rabbits treated with (AFB1). In conclusion, silymarin supplementation to AFB1 contaminated rabbit diet may mitigate the negative effect of AFB1 on the rabbit performance and health status and increase growth performance, average daily gain, immunological modulation and antioxidants and provide a theoretical basis for the application of silymarin in livestock production.

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is common among the socioeconomically deprived populations of certain geographical regions. Aflatoxin is a genotoxic hepatocarcinogen, which is recognized to have a role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of aflatoxin in the pathogenesis of GBC is largely unknown. We determined serum AFB1‐Lys albumin adduct (AAA) levels as a marker of aflatoxin exposure in the patients with GBC and compared to those without GBC. The relationship of AAA levels to cytogenetic (TP53mutation&HER2/neu amplification) and radiological characteristics of the tumor was assessed. We included GBC cases (n = 51) and non‐GBC controls (n = 100). Mean serum AAA levels were higher in the GBC group (n = 51) than those without GBC (n = 100) (26.1 ± 12.2 vs. 13.1 ± 11.9 ng/mL; p <.001). HER2/neu expression was associated with higher AAA levels compared to those with equivocal or negative expression (43.9 ± 3 vs. 28.6 ± 10 vs. 19.3 ± 7 ng/mL; p <.001). Older age (age >50 years) (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2 [CI: 1.3–8.2]; p =.013), positive Helicobacter pylori serology (OR = 5.1 [CI: 1.4–17.8]; p =.012), presence of GS (OR = 5 [CI: 1.5–16.9]; p =.009) and detectable AAA levels (OR = 6.8 [CI: 1.3–35.7]; p =.024) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC among all study subjects. Among patients harboring GS, older age (age >50 years) (OR = 4.5 [CI: 1.3–14.9]; p =.015), female gender (OR = 3.8 [CI: 1.2–12.5]; p =.027), presence of multiple GS (OR = 21.9 [CI: 4.8–100.4]; p <.001) and high serum AAA levels (OR = 5.3 [CI: 1.6–17.3]; p =.006) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC. Elderly age >50 years (OR = 2.6 [CI: 1.3–5.2]; p =.010) and frequent peanut consumption (OR = 2.3 [CI: 1.1–4.9]; p =.030) were independent risk factors for high serum AAA levels. The current study has implications for the prevention of GBC through the reduction of dietary aflatoxin exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi such as Aspergillus flavus and may pose severe risks to human health. The presence of aflatoxins in commercial food products such as pistachio can bring severe economic drawbacks during harvest, production, and exportation. This study aimed to reduce aflatoxin levels in raw pistachio by active food packaging film enriched with silver nanoparticles and quinoa peptides and extend the shelf-life. The pistachios contaminated with Aspergillus flavus were packaged in a nanocomposite film enriched with silver nanoparticles, quinoa peptide with antifungal properties, and low-density polyethylene at varying percentages. Then, all samples were stored at 25°C for 30 days. The amount of Aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, and G2) were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the percentage of film composition and time significantly affected aflatoxin values during storage (P < 0.05). The control sample had the highest amount of aflatoxins, while the sample was packaged with a film containing 35% silver nanoparticles, and the quinoa peptide had the lowest amount of aflatoxin at the end of the storage period. Based on the results obtained, the combined use of silver nanoparticles and quinoa peptides in pistachio packaging reduced aflatoxins and increased the shelf life of raw pistachio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are the most potent hepatocarcinogens of all biologically produced toxins found to date. Contaminated food and commodities are one of the most serious problems due to an irreversible damage to health. Taking advantage of biological methods to improve food safety, an aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) bioremoval study was conducted to investigate the potential of arrested fungal cells on magnetic nanoparticles. The favourable results on the degradation of AFB1 indicate a reasonable influence of the carriers on the fungal cells and the degradation process. The efficacy of degradation of AFB1 by free and immobilised fungal cells on four different magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) was investigated. The degradation rate by HPLC analysis exhibited 54.97% for the free cell study, 85.85% for Fe3O4@MTMS@cell, 95.07% for Fe3O4@TEOS@cell, 84.48% for Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2@cell and 96.52% for Fe3O4@BCD@cell for the 3 μg/ml AFB1. The degradation with Fe3O4@ BCD@cell showed remarkable results even for 5 μg/ml AFB1 resulting 93.42%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree nuts, especially pistachio kernels, are highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. These substances are produced by certain moulds such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Release of aflatoxins in pistachio bulks and their sources are the main causes of aflatoxin contamination in pistachio nuts. The aim of this study is the assessment of aflatoxins in some pistachio cultivars supplied in bulk in Tehran Food stores. Iranian pistachio cultivars such as Ahmad Aghaei, Akhbari closed-mouth, half-splitting Akbari, Ohadi, Badami Sefid, Chorouke, Khanjari Damghan, Abbas Ali, Fandoghi 48, Kaleghoochi, and Mumtaz, were randomly collected and sampled from nuts supply centres. Levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and total aflatoxin were measured in the cultivars using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The findings showed that aflatoxin B1 contamination was found only in Akbari closed-mouth (0.3 μg/kg) and Ohadi (0.4 μg/kg) pistachio cultivars (p < 0.05). Total aflatoxin levels in these two cultivars were measured at 0.3 and 0.4 μg/kg, respectively (p < 0.05), with no aflatoxin found in the other cultivars. The values measured in the present study are lower than the maximum tolerance established in the national standard for aflatoxin B1 (5 μg/kg) and the total aflatoxin (15 μg/kg) in the pistachio crop. It was concluded that the density of aflatoxin in highly consumed pistachio cultivars supplied in Tehran is within acceptable health and safety standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxin-producing molds which considered as common maize grains contaminants are the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. There are natural and safe ways to protect grains from mold contamination as the use of essential oils and chemical treatments. A total number of 25 samples were used to study the natural frequency in five governorates in Egypt, Molecular identification indicated that the most frequent fungi were Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus niger, Talaromyces verruculosus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus terreus. The in vitro studies have been done to determine mycelial growth and spore germination inhibition of the two A. flavus; isolated and reference isolates. Thyme and acetic acid were tested in direct contact assay to study their effects on mycelial growth. Treatments showed significant impact on mycelial growth and spore germination inhibition of both A. flavus isolates. In the postharvest application treatments: as vapour and carrier contact assay, Thyme and Acetic acid were tested to determine their influence on growth and aflatoxin production in A. flavus isolates by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS). Results indicated that both treatments were effective in inhibition of aflatoxin production in both vapour and carrier assays as they succeeded in reducing AFB1 while they inhibited completely the production of AFB2. The extent of the inhibition of aflatoxin production was dependent on the concentration and storage duration of treatments applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the levels of heavy metals and aflatoxins in Kermanshahi oil and grape pekmez (a concentrated grape product) from the central provinces of Iran, as well as to assess how processing affects their fatty acid profiles.Methods: Twenty samples of Kermanshahi oil and grape pekmez were randomly collected from production centers in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Isfahan provinces in Iran.Results: The aflatoxin levels in both Kermanshahi oil and grape pekmez were within acceptable limits. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in Kermanshahi oil and grape pekmez ranged from 0.001 to 0.1 ppb and 0.001 to 0.04 ppb, respectively. Traditional butter and Kermanshahi oils were found to contain high levels of SFAs, including palmitic (C16) and myristic (C14) acids, as well as unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid (C18:1). The composition of saturated, unsaturated, and trans fatty acids in Kermanshahi oils derived from traditional butter was measured at 77.075%, 16.34%, and 4.82%, respectively. Following the addition of grape pekmez to Kermanshahi oil, a decrease in short-chain fatty acids was observed, while palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linolenic acid levels increased. Additionally, the concentration of TFAs decreased.Conclusion: The incorporation of grape pekmez into Kermanshahi oil positively influenced the fatty acid composition, enhancing its overall quality.

This study was conducted in the Plant Pathology Laboratory/ College of Agriculture/ University of Anbar to study and test the effectiveness of plant extracts (turmeric, pomegranate peel, banana peel) in inhibiting the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus and test its ability to reduce aflatoxin B1 from liquid media. The plant materials (powders and extracts) were used in three concentrations (10, 15, 20) mg ml-1. The results showed that all plant materials were significantly effective in inhibiting the growth of A. flavus and their ability to reduce aflatoxin B1 from liquid media. Turmeric powder showed its superiority in its inhibitory effect on the growth of fungi on PDA culture medium, as it achieved the highest percentage of inhibition at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1, which amounted to 87.41%. Whereas, banana peel powder gave the lowest inhibition rate at 10mg ml-1 concentration) 64.07% (. While the aqueous extract of turmeric achieved inhibition in the growth of the fungus at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1 by 87.41%, outperformed the aqueous extract of pomegranate and banana, where the rates of inhibition reached 86.66% and 82.96%, respectively at the same concentration. In addition, the alcoholic extract of turmeric showed the highest rate of inhibition of fungi growth at a concentration of 20 mg ml-1, which amounted to 94.07%, followed by the alcoholic extract of banana and pomegranate with a percentage of 93.3% and 88.14%, respectively, at the same concentration.

Oral adsorbents have attracted increasing attention as a potential therapeutic strategy for the removal of toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the structural and mechanic properties of oral adsorbents such as activated charcoal, medical clays, zeolites, silica-based adsorbents, dietary fibers (carbohydrates alginate, chitosan, pectin, carrageenan etc.), and their physicochemical properties. The review also explores the mechanisms of action of oral adsorbents, including physical adsorption, ion exchange, and specific binding interactions. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the factors that influence the adsorption capacity and selectivity of oral adsorbents. The summary of recent advances in the usage of thiolated adsorbents is discussed, which provides valuable insights into the structural and mechanistic properties of oral adsorbents and their potential as a therapeutic option for the removal of toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) infusion on preserving the quality of corn during storage. The research employed an experimental approach using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and four replications. The treatments included A (control corn), B (25% (v/v) bay leaf infusion), C (50% (v/v) bay leaf infusion), D (75% (v/v) bay leaf infusion), and E (100% (v/v) bay leaf infusion). The observed variables included damaged kernels, moldy kernels, moisture content, and aflatoxin content. Corn with high aflatoxin content was immersed in bay leaf infusion according to the respective treatments and then stored for four weeks. The research results showed that soaking corn with high aflatoxin content in bay leaf infusion (had a significant effect (P<0.01) on moisture and aflatoxin content but did not have a considerable impact (P>0.05) on damaged kernels and moldy kernels. Based on the research findings, it was concluded that the application of 100% (v/v) bay leaf infusion improved the quality of corn during a 4 -week storage period, with the percentage of damaged kernels at 4.75%, moldy grains at 0.75%, moisture content at 14.60%, and a decrease in aflatoxin content by 41.11% (150 -88.33 ppb). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus is a cosmopolitan saprophytic fungus that infests several foodstuffs and is associated with adverse effects in humans. In Senegal, significant losses of groundnut production are mainly due to contamination caused by this species. This study evaluated in vitro antifungal activities of Cyperus articulatus, Cyperus rotundus and Lippia alba essential oils against A. flavus isolated from peanut seeds. Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of rhizomes of the two Cyperus species and leaves of L. alba were analyzed with GC-DIF and GC-MS. The essential oil yields from C. articulatus, C. rotundus and L. alba were 1.1%, 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. These three samples had the following chemotypes: (i) mustakone (21.4%)/eudesma-4(15)-7-dien-1β-ol (8.8%)/caryophyllene oxide (5.9%), (ii) caryophyllene oxide (25.2%)/humulene epoxyde 2 (35.0%) and (iii) geranial (46.6%)/neral (34.6%). The three oils tested inhibited the growth of A. flavus at concentrations between 100 and 1000 ppm. The L. alba oil was the most effective with total clearance of A. flavus on PDA. For the essential oils of C. rotundus (93.65%) and C. articulatus (78.11%), the highest inhibition rates were obtained with a 1000 ppm dose. Thus, L. alba oil could be used safely as an effective protector of groundnuts against A. flavus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 25% of cereal grains present with contamination caused by fungi and the presence of mycotoxins that may cause severe adverse effects when consumed. Maize has been genetically engineered to present different traits, such as fungal or insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. This systematic review compared the observable quantities, via meta-analysis, of four mycotoxins (aflatoxins—AFL, fumonisins—FUM, deoxynivalenol—DON, zearalenone—ZEA) between genetically modified (GM) and conventional maize kernels. This study was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, with searches performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CAPES journals databases. Analyses were conducted using RevMan v.5.4 software. Transgenic maize showed a 58% reduction in total mycotoxins (p < 0.001) compared to conventional maize. FUM were the most impacted, with a 59% reduction (p < 0.001) in GM maize. AFL and ZEA levels were also lower in GM maize by 49% (p = 0.02) and 51% (p < 0.001), respectively. On the other hand, DON levels increased by 6% (p < 0.001) in GM maize compared to conventional maize. However, results for ZEA and DON were inconclusive due to the limited research and sample sizes. We conclude that transgenic maize reduces total mycotoxins by over 50%, primarily fumonisin and aflatoxin. Most studies presented maize varieties that were resistant to insects or herbicides, not fungal pathogens, showing a positive collateral effect of these genetic alterations. Therefore, transgenic maize appears to be a safer product for animal and human consumption from a toxicological point of view. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our findings for ZEA and DON in transgenic maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate-change-coupled fungal burden in crop management and the need to reduce chemical pesticide usage highlight the importance of finding sustainable ways to control Aspergillus flavus. This study examines the effectiveness of 50 Pseudomonas isolates obtained from corn rhizospheres against A. flavus in both solid and liquid co-cultures. The presence and quantity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and AFB1-related compounds were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Various enzymatic- or non-enzymatic mechanisms are proposed to interpret the decrease in AFB1 production, accompanied by the accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates (11-hydroxy-O-methylsterigmatocystin, aspertoxin, 11-hydroxyaspertoxin) or degradation products (the compounds C16H10O6, C16H14O5, C18H16O7, and C19H16O8). Our finding implies the upregulation or enhanced activity of fungal oxidoreductases and laccases in response to bacterial bioactive compound(s). Furthermore, non-enzymatic reactions resulted in the formation of additional degradation products due to acid accumulation in the fermented broth. Three isolates completely inhibited AFB1 or any AFB1-related compounds without significantly affecting fungal growth. These bacterial isolates supposedly block the entire pathway for AFB1 production in the fungus during interaction. Apart from identifying effective Pseudomonas isolates as potential biocontrol agents, this work lays the foundation for exploring new bacterial bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food crops around the world are commonly contaminated with Aspergillus flavus, which can produce the carcinogenic mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The objective of this study is to test an X-ray irradiation sterilization method for studying AFB1 in contaminated maize samples in the laboratory. Maize that had been naturally contaminated with 300 ppb AFB1 by the growth of aflatoxigenic A. flavus was ground and then irradiated at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 kGy. A. flavus was quantified by dilution plating on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and modified Rose Bengal media (MDRB) for viability and qPCR for gene presence. AFB1 was quantified by HPLC and ELISA. A. flavus viability, but not gene copies, significantly decreased with increasing doses of radiation (PDA: p < 0.001; MDRB: p < 0.001; qPCR: p = 0.026). AFB1 concentration did not significantly change with increasing doses of radiation (HPLC: p = 0.153; ELISA: p = 0.567). Our results imply that X-ray irradiation is an effective means of reducing viable A. flavus without affecting AFB1 concentrations. Reducing the hazard of fungal spores and halting AFB1 production at the targeted dose are important steps to safely and reproducibly move forward research on the global mycotoxin challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus section Flavi (Flavi) is a diverse group of fungal species whose common members include A. flavus and A. parasiticus. These are well-known for the production of aflatoxin (AF) B and G and other toxic metabolites, like cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). They are saprophytic soil dwellers and also become crop opportunistic epiphytes. The consequence is contamination of the crop with mycotoxins, such as carcinogenic AF. We investigated the Flavi community structure of maize and that of their surrounding soil, including their mycotoxigenicity. Furthermore, we investigated the link of the maize Flavi diversity with preharvest maize AF levels. The study was carried out in four selected districts of Zambia, in a low rainfall zone. The Flavi characterisation was triphasic, involving morphological (colony colour and sclerotia formation), metabolic (AF and CPA production) and genetic (calmodulin gene polymorphism) analyses. Flavi abundance was determined by dilution plate technique on modified rose Bengal agar. Results showed that Flavi communities on maize and in soil differed. Maize had a higher Flavi species diversity than soil. A. parasiticus dominated the soil community by frequency of field appearance (85%), while maize was dominated by A. minisclerotigenes (45%). CPA-producers with or without AF production dominated the maize (65%) while producers of only AF (B/G) dominated the soil (88%). The ratio between maize A. parasiticus and A. minisclerotigenes abundance seemed to have had a bearing on the levels of AF in maize, with a ratio close to 1:1 having higher levels than a pure community of either A. parasiticus or A. minisclerotigenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin, a carcinogenic fungal toxin that poses a threat to the agricultural and food industries. There is a concern that the distribution of aflatoxin-producing A. flavus is expanding in Japan due to climate change, and it is necessary to understand what types of strains inhabit. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of four Aspergillus strains isolated from agricultural fields in the Ibaraki prefecture of Japan and identified their genetic variants. Phylogenetic analysis based on single-nucleotide variants revealed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains were closely related to A. flavus NRRL3357, whereas the two non-producing strains were closely related to the RIB40 strain of Aspergillus oryzae, a fungus widely used in the Japanese fermentation industry. A detailed analysis of the variants in the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster showed that the two aflatoxin-producing strains belonged to different morphotype lineages. RT-qPCR results indicated that the expression of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes was consistent with aflatoxin production in the two aflatoxin-producing strains, whereas the two non-producing strains expressed most of the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes, unlike common knowledge in A. oryzae, suggesting that the lack of aflatoxin production was attributed to genes outside of the aflatoxin biosynthetic gene cluster in these strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-genetic variation limits the identification of novel maize germplasm with genetic markers for reduced Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin measurements can vary substantially within fields containing the same germplasm following inoculation with A. flavus. While some variation is expected due to microenvironmental differences, components of field screening methodologies may also contribute to variability in collected data. Therefore, the objective of this study is to test the effects of three different shelling methods (whole ear (WE), ear end removal (EER), and inoculation site-surrounding (ISS)) to obtain bulk samples from maize on aflatoxin measurements. Five ears per row of three inbred lines and two hybrids were inoculated with A. flavus, then shelled using the three different methods, and aflatoxin was quantified. Overall, EER and ISS resulted in reduced coefficients of variance (CVs) in comparison to WE for both inbred and hybrid maize lines, with two exceptions. Susceptible B73 showed increased CVs with both EER and ISS compared to WE, and resistant Mp719's EER CVs marginally increased compared to WE. While WE is the standard practice for most breeding programs due to its technical simplicity, EER and ISS may allow for finely phenotyping parental lines for further breeding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical pesticides help reduce crop loss during production and storage. However, the carbon footprints and ecological costs associated with this strategy are unsustainable. Here, we used three in vitro models to characterize how different Trichoderma species interact with two aflatoxin producers, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, to help develop a climate-resilient biological control strategy against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. The growth rate of Trichoderma species is a critical factor in suppressing aflatoxigenic strains via physical interactions. The dual plate assay suggests that Trichoderma mainly suppresses A. flavus via antibiosis, whereas the suppression of A. parasiticus occurs through mycoparasitism. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Trichoderma inhibited the growth of A. parasiticus (34.6 ± 3.3%) and A. flavus (20.9 ± 1.6%). The VOCs released by T. asperellum BTU and T. harzianum OSK-34 were most effective in suppressing A. flavus growth. Metabolites secreted by T. asperellum OSK-38, T. asperellum BTU, T. virens OSK-13, and T. virens OSK-36 reduced the growth of both aflatoxigenic species. Overall, T. asperellum BTU was the most effective at suppressing the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of both species across all models. This work will guide efforts to screen for effective biological control agents to mitigate aflatoxin accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aflatoxin intoxication has been reported in most species; however, it is infrequently documented in sheep. In this report, three 7-month-old Romane ewe lambs were found with severe icterus, tachypnea, slight fever, diarrhea, anorexia, and lethargy. Two of them were culled, and one recovered after treatment. Necropsy findings showed jaundice, ascites, diffuse hemorrhage on the peritoneum, gall bladder enlargement, and alteration in the color and texture of the liver and kidney. Histopathological evaluation revealed hepatocellular necrosis, megalocytosis, centrilobular to bridging fibrosis in the liver, and hemoglobinuria without nephrotic degeneration in the kidney. The polymerase chain reaction test for leptospirosis as the main differential diagnosis was conducted, and the result was negative. Similarly, the Warthin Starry special staining for spirochetes was negative. Clinical signs and characteristics of microscopic lesions were suggestive of aflatoxicosis in the lambs described in this investigation. As sheep flocks with intensive rearing systems are becoming more common in Iran, the emergence of aflatoxicosis due to fungi-contaminated feedstuff can be a serious health concern in such farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on simulating the preparation of aged diet with excessive aflatoxin, the effects of aged diet on the feed-meat ratio, immune organ indexes and blood cell count of chicken, and the recovery effect of Lactobacillus sp. were studied. Thirty-six white Laihang Chicken were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, high-dose aflatoxin group, low-dose aflatoxin group, high-dose aflatoxin+Lactobacillus sp. group, the test period was 28 days. The results showed that compared with the control group, aflatoxin had a significant retardation effect on the daily weight gain of chicken. Compared with the control group, the feed-meat ratio in the low-dose aflatoxin group and high-dose aflatoxin group significantly increased. Adding Lactobacillus sp. had a significant improvement effect on the feed-meat ratio (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, aflatoxin had a significant retardation effect on the formation of chicken blood cells and the development of immune organs (P<0.05), resulting in the blocked synthesis of blood cells and delayed development of immune organs, while Lactobacillus sp. had some recovery effects on the formation of chicken blood cells and the development of immune organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The present work aimed to distinguish the indigenous Aspergillus flavus isolates obtained from the first (pioneer) grain corn farms in Terengganu, Malaysia, into aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic by molecular and aflatoxigenicity analyses, and determine the antagonistic capability of the non-aflatoxigenic isolates against aflatoxigenic counterparts and their aflatoxin production in vitro. Methods and results Seven A. flavus isolates previously obtained from the farms were characterized molecularly and chemically. All isolates were examined for the presence of seven aflatoxin biosynthesis genes, and their aflatoxigenicity was confirmed using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. Phylogenetic relationships of all isolates were tested using ITS and β-tubulin genes. Of the seven isolates, two were non-aflatoxigenic, while the remaining were aflatoxigenic based on the presence of all aflatoxin biosynthesis genes tested and the productions of aflatoxins B1 and B2. All isolates were also confirmed as A. flavus following phylogenetic analysis. The indigenous non-aflatoxigenic isolates were further examined for their antagonistic potential against aflatoxigenic isolates on 3% grain corn agar. Both non-aflatoxigenic isolates significantly reduced AFB1 production of the aflatoxigenic isolates. Conclusion The indigenous non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains identified in the present work were effective in controlling the aflatoxin production by the aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates in vitro and can be utilized for in situ testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus is notorious for contaminating food with its secondary metabolite—highly carcinogenic aflatoxins. In this study, we found that exogenous nitric oxide (NO) donor could influence aflatoxin production in A. flavus. Flavohemoglobins (FHbs) are vital functional units in maintaining nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis and are crucial for normal cell function. To investigate whether endogenous NO changes affect aflatoxin biosynthesis, two FHbs, FHbA and FHbB, were identified in this study. FHbA was confirmed as the main protein to maintain NO homeostasis, as its absence led to a significant increase in intracellular NO levels and heightened sensitivity to SNP stress. Dramatically, FHbA deletion retarded aflatoxin production. In addition, FHbA played important roles in mycelial growth, conidial germination, and sclerotial development, and response to oxidative stress and high-temperature stress. Although FHbB did not significantly impact the cellular NO level, it was also involved in sclerotial development, aflatoxin synthesis, and stress response. Our findings provide a new perspective for studying the regulatory mechanism of the development and secondary mechanism in A. flavus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections were observed on the coffee plant, this study aims to determine the types of fungi causing this pollution and the possibility of producing mycotoxins or not. so we make this study to isolate and identify the contaminating fungi that find in three types of Arabica coffee plants, which are common in the city of Jazan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely (Khawlani, Luqmati and Harari) by using the dilution method on Potato Dextrose Agar media (PDA). The results showed that some coffee samples were contaminated with fungi, which belong to 5 fungal genera, most of which belong to the Ascomycetes fungi. The species Aspergillus niger had the highest percentage of appearance in the coffee samples, followed by Aspergillus flavus and then Penicillium sp. The ammonia detection results showed that most Aspergillus flavus and A. ochrous isolates produced mycotoxins, while all isolates of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. do not produce aflatoxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]