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Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 76 - 100 of 2224

  1. Endocrine Effect of Some Mycotoxins on Humans: A Clinical Review of the Ways to Mitigate the Action of Mycotoxins

    • Toxins
    • Fungi such as Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp., which are commonly found in the environment, pose a serious global health problem. This study aims to present the results of epidemiological studies, including clinical cases, on the relationship between human exposure to some mycotoxins, especially zearalenone and aflatoxin, and the occurrence of reproductive disorders. In addition, examples of methods to reduce human exposure to mycotoxins are presented.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  2. Okadaic Acid Detection through a Rapid and Sensitive Amplified Luminescent Proximity Homogeneous Assay

    • Toxins
    • Okadaic acid (OA), a marine biotoxin produced by microalgae, poses a significant threat to mariculture, seafood safety, and human health. The establishment of a novel, highly sensitive detection method for OA would have significant practical and scientific implications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an innovative approach for OA detection.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins
  3. Alternaria Mycotoxins Analysis and Exposure Investigation in Ruminant Feeds

    • Toxins
    • Alternaria mycotoxins are a class of important, agriculture-related hazardous materials, and their contamination in ruminant feeds and products might bring severe toxic effects to animals and even human beings.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  4. In Vivo Genotoxicity and Toxicity Assessment of Sterigmatocystin Individually and in Mixture with Aflatoxin B1

    • Toxins
    • Mycotoxins are natural food and feed contaminants produced by several molds. The primary mode of exposure in humans and animals is through mixtures. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and sterigmatocystin (STER) are structurally related mycotoxins that share the same biosynthetic route. Few in vivo genotoxicity assays have been performed with STER.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  5. Isolation and Characterization of the Zearalenone-Degrading Strain, Bacillus spizizenii B73, Inspired by Esterase Activity

    • Toxins
    • Zearalenone (ZEN) is a widespread mycotoxin found in grain and feed, presenting a serious threat to animal and human health. This study investigated the ability of the novel strain B73, isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil, to detoxify ZEN. B73 was identified as Bacillus spizizenii through physiological and biochemical tests, and further confirmed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and the complete genome sequence. B.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  6. Fusarium Species and Mycotoxins Associated with Sorghum Grains in Uruguay

    • Toxins
    • Grain mold and stalk rot are among the fungal diseases that cause significant losses in sorghum worldwide and are caused by different Fusarium spp. The presence of Fusarium species in sorghum grains causes yield losses and mycotoxin contamination, which represents a risk to consumers. In this study, Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) had a high incidence, followed by Fusarium fujikuroi species complex (FFSC) and F. incarnatum-equiseti species complex. Within FFSC, F.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  7. First Confirmed Case of Canine Mortality Due to Dihydroanatoxin-a in Central Texas, USA

    • Toxins
    • The frequency of dogs becoming ill or dying from accidental exposure to cyanotoxins, produced by cyanobacteria, is increasing throughout the United States. In January and February of 2021, two dogs died and five dogs became ill after swimming in Lake Travis, central Texas, USA; one deceased dog (C1) was subjected to pathological testing.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins
  8. Effects of Lipopolysaccharide and Deoxynivalenol on the Survival, Antioxidant and Immune Response, and Histopathology of Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

    • Toxins
    • Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the aquatic environment has been reported to cause diseases in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In addition, deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the primary mycotoxins found in aquaculture. However, the potential synergistic toxic effects of LPS and DON on crayfish are yet to be fully elucidated.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  9. Ameliorative Effects of Luteolin and Activated Charcoal on Growth Performance, Immunity Function, and Antioxidant Capacity in Broiler Chickens Exposed to Deoxynivalenol

    • Toxins
    • Deoxynivalenol (DON, Vomitoxin) is a threatening mycotoxin that mainly produces oxidative stress and leads to hepatotoxicity in poultry. Antioxidant dietary supplements dramatically boost immunity, safeguarding animals from DON poisoning. Luteolin (LUT) is an active plant-derived compound that poses influential antioxidants. This study explored the effectiveness of LUT in combination with activated charcoal (AC) in detoxifying DON in broilers.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  10. Treatment of Vestibulodynia with Submucosal Injections of IncobotulinumtoxinA into Targeted Painful Points: An Open-Label Exploratory Study

    • Toxins
    • The studies carried out to date on vulvodynia treatment with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) have followed generic injection protocols and reported contradictory outcomes on its effects. The aim of the present study was thus to propose a protocol for injecting BoNT/A into targeted painful points, to comprehensively assess the clinical effect of BoNT/A treatment and identify the risk/protective factors for successful treatment.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium botulinum
  11. MiR-155-5p Elevated by Ochratoxin A Induces Intestinal Fibrosis and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition through TGF-β Regulated Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo

    • Toxins
    • Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that induces fibrosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in kidneys and livers. It enters our bodies through food consumption, where it is absorbed in the intestines. However, the impact of OTA on the intestines is yet to be studied. MicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding single-stranded RNAs that block the transcription of specific mRNAs and are, therefore, involved in many biochemical processes.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  12. Research Progress Related to Aflatoxin Contamination and Prevention and Control of Soils

    • Toxins
    • Aflatoxins are potent carcinogenic compounds, mainly produced by fungi species of the genus Aspergillus in the soil. Because of their stability, they are difficult to remove completely, even under extreme conditions. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the main causes of safety in peanuts, maize, wheat and other agricultural products. Aflatoxin contamination originates from the soil.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  13. Combination of Zearalenone and Deoxynivalenol Induces Apoptosis by Mitochondrial Pathway in Piglet Sertoli Cells: Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

    • Toxins
    • Zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) are widely found in various feeds, which harms livestock’s reproductive health. Both mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can regulate cell apoptosis. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) on ZEA- combined with DON-induced mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in piglet Sertoli cells (SCs).

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  14. Rapid Detection of Single- and Co-contaminant Aflatoxins and Fumonisins in Ground Maize using Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques

    • Toxins
    • Aflatoxins and fumonisins, commonly found in maize and maize-derived products, frequently co-occur and can cause dangerous illness in humans and animals if ingested in large amounts. Efforts are being made to develop suitable analytical methods for screening that can rapidly detect mycotoxins in order to prevent illness through early detection.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  15. Occurrence of Types A and B Trichothecenes in Cereal Products Sold in Romanian Markets

    • Toxins
    • In view of the frequent occurrences of mycotoxins in cereals, this study assessed the presence of trichothecenes in 121 samples from Romanian markets. These samples were divided into five groups based on product type: (1) bread and bakery products containing white flour, (2) half-brown bread with whole wheat flour, (3) brown bread containing rye flour, (4) pasta, and (5) raw wheat.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  16. Application of a Quantitative PCR to Investigate the Distribution and Dynamics of Two Morphologically Similar Species, Karenia mikimotoi and K. papilionacea (Dinophyceae) in Korean Coastal Waters

    • Toxins
    • Species of the marine dinoflagellate genus Karenia are known to produce various potent biotoxins and can form noxious blooms that cause mass mortalities of fish and shellfish. To date, harmful blooms of the species K. mikimotoi have been reported in Korea, but K. papilionacea was recently recorded off the southern coast of Korea.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins
  17. PLGA Nanoparticle-Based Dissolving Microneedle Vaccine of Clostridium perfringens ε Toxin

    • Toxins
    • Epsilon toxin (ETX) is an exotoxin produced by type B and D Clostridium perfringens that causes enterotoxemia or necrotic enteritis in animals such as goats, sheep, and cattle. Vaccination is a key method in preventing such diseases. In this study, we developed a new type of dissolving microneedle patch (dMN) with a nanoparticle adjuvant for enhanced immune response to deliver the rETXY196E-C protein vaccine.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Clostridium perfringens
  18. Risk Assessment Considering the Bioavailability of 3-β-d-Glucosides of Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol through Food Intake in Korea

    • Toxins
    • Deoxynivalenol and nivalenol are major type B trichothecenes and the most frequently occurring mycotoxins worldwide. Their 3-β-d-glucoside forms have recently become a safety management issue. These glucoside conjugates are converted back to the parent toxins during human digestion, but studies to confirm their bioavailability are lacking. In this study, a risk assessment was performed considering the bioavailability of glucoside conjugates.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  19. Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean: Reconciling the Multiplicity of Ciguatoxins and Analytical Chemistry Approach for Public Health Safety

    • Toxins
    • Ciguatera is a major circumtropical poisoning caused by the consumption of marine fish and invertebrates contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs): neurotoxins produced by endemic and benthic dinoflagellates which are biotransformed in the fish food-web. We provide a history of ciguatera research conducted over the past 70 years on ciguatoxins from the Pacific Ocean (P-CTXs) and Caribbean Sea (C-CTXs) and describe their main chemical, biochemical, and toxicological properties.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins
  20. Characterization of Particle-Size-Based Homogeneity and Mycotoxin Distribution Using Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analysis

    • Toxins
    • Sample homogeneity dictates whether analyzing a test portion of an entire sample can provide representative information about incurred mycotoxins. In this study, we evaluated particle-size-distribution-based homogeneity of laboratory mycotoxin samples using laser diffraction particle size analysis and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 35: 2017.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  21. Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Major Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs from Algeria

    • Toxins
    • Cereal-based products, nuts and dried fruits are staple foods for the Algerian population. However, these foodstuffs may be sources of harmful mycotoxins, with negative impacts on human health.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  22. Type A Trichothecene Metabolic Profile Differentiation, Mechanisms, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Evolution in Fusarium Species—A Mini Review

    • Toxins
    • Trichothecenes are the most common Fusarium toxins detected in grains and related products. Type A trichothecenes are among the mycotoxins of greatest concern to food and feed safety due to their high toxicity. Recently, two different trichothecene genotypes within Fusarium species were reported. The available information showed that Tri1 and Tri16 genes are the key determinants of the trichothecene profiles of T-2 and DAS genotypes.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  23. Effect of Fungicide Treatment on Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in French Wheat during a 4-Year Period

    • Toxins
    • Wheat represents one of the most widely consumed cereals worldwide. Cultivated in winter and spring, it is vulnerable to an array of different pathogens, including fungi, which are managed largely through the in-field application of fungicides. During this study, a 4-year field investigation (2018–2021) was performed in France, aiming to assess the efficacy of fungicide treatment to reduce mycotoxin contamination in common and durum wheat.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  24. Inbred Selection for Increased Resistance to Kernel Contamination with Fumonisins

    • Toxins
    • In temperate world-wide regions, maize kernels are often infected with the fumonisin-producing fungus Fusarium verticillioides which poses food and feed threats to animals and humans.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  25. A Sub-Acute Dosing Study of Saxitoxin and Tetrodotoxin Mixtures in Mice Suggests That the Current Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Regulatory Limit Is Fit for Purpose

    • Toxins
    • Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a worldwide problem induced by shellfish contaminated with paralytic shellfish toxins. To protect human health, a regulatory limit for these toxins in shellfish flesh has been adopted by many countries. In a recent study, mice were dosed with saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin mixtures daily for 28 days showing toxicity at low concentrations, which appeared to be at odds with other work.

      • Natural toxins
      • Shellfish toxins