Research Publications (Food Safety)

The contamination of mycotoxin in edible oil has always been a major threat to human health. In this study, magnetic soybean dreg-based biochar SDB-6-K-9@Fe3O4 was prepared via co-precipitation and used to remove aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from contaminated oil. The adsorbent characterization results revealed that the Fe3O4 was successfully loaded to the SDB-6-K-9.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is widely prevalent in foods and animal feeds and is one of the most toxic and carcinogenic aflatoxin subtypes. Existing studies have proved that the intestine is targeted by AFB1, and adverse organic effects have been observed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AFB1-induced intestinal toxicity and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, which involves the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that is prone to contaminate corns brings a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to construct novel detection methods for AFB1 tracing. Here, methylamine perovskite quantum dots (MP QDs) encapsulated by ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks (MP QDs@ZIF-8) were prepared and then ultra-stable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors were developed.

Aflatoxin, a carcinogenic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus, is a significant threat to human health and agricultural production. Histone 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation is a novel post-translational modification that regulates various biological processes, including secondary metabolism. In this study, we identified the novel histone 2-hydroxyisobutyryltransferase Afngg1 in A. flavus, and explored its role in cell growth, development and aflatoxin biosynthesis.

Aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, is the most economically important mycotoxin in the world, with harmful effects on human and animal health. Preventive measures such as irrigation and planting dates can minimize aflatoxin contamination most years. However, no control strategy is completely effective when environmental conditions are extremely favorable for growth of the fungus.

Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic secondary metabolite that poses a serious threat to human and animal health. Some C2H2 transcription factors are associated with fungal growth and secondary metabolic regulation. In this study, we characterized the role of AflZKS3, a putative C2H2 transcription factor based on genome annotation, in the growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis of A. flavus and explored its possible mechanisms of action.

In this present study, 195 cow milk, 100 goat milk, 50 buffalo milk, 50 camel milk, and 50 yak milk samples were collected in China in May and October 2016. The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.

The reaction efficiency of surface-based DNA walker can directly affect the properties of a biosensor. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) DNAzyme walker were first fixed on the top of DNA tetrahedral scaffold to improve the immobilization efficiency. Ferrocene (Fc) that labeled at substrate strand ends effectively quenched the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal of Ru(bpy)2(cpaphen)2+, yielding the sensor in a “signal-off” state.

Among a few hundred mycotoxins, aflatoxins had always posed a major threat to the world. Apart from A. flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius of Aspergillus genus, which are most toxin-producing strains, several fungal bodies including Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria that can biosynthesis aflatoxins. Basically, there are four different types of aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), Aflatoxin G2 (AFG2)) are produced as secondary metabolites.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin synthesised as a secondary metabolite by members of the Aspergillus species contaminating agricultural produce. Aspergillus species thrive in tropical climes, endemic to malaria. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) effectively treat and prevent malaria recrudescence; Coartem (COA) is an ACT whose toxicity is evident.

A new green competitive ELISA for aflatoxin M1 quantification in raw milk was developed. This diagnostic tool is based on an anti AFM1 mAb produced by plant molecular farming in alternative to classical systems. Our assay, showing an IC50 below 25 ng/L, fits with the requirements of EU legislation limits for AFM1 (50 ng/L).

Feeding farm animals with aflatoxin-contaminated feed can cause various severe toxic effects, leading to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and increased mortality, weight loss, poor performance and reduced reproductive capability. Following ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs, aflatoxins are metabolized and biotransformed differently in animals. Swine metabolism is not effective in detoxifying and excreting aflatoxins, meaning the risk of aflatoxicosis is increased.

The degradation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and zearalenone (ZEA) is investigated using power ultrasound to identify suitable methods to reduce the mycotoxin content of corn. AFB1 and ZEA in corn are simultaneously degraded via power ultrasound; thus, this method has a significant effect on corn quality. The power intensity, solid-liquid ratio, and ultrasonic treatment modes significantly affect the degradation rates of AFB1 and ZEA.

The widespread fungal toxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an inevitable pollutant affecting the health of humans, poultry, and livestock. Although studies indicate that AFB1 is hepatotoxic, there are few studies on AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity in sheep. Thus, this study examined how AFB1 affected sheep liver function 24 h after the animals received 1 mg/kg bw of AFB1 orally (dissolved in 20 mL, 4% v/v ethanol).

Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most detrimental mycotoxin, potentially hazardous to animals and humans. AFs in food threaten the health of consumers and cause liver cancer. Therefore, a safe, efficient, and friendly approach is attributed to the control of aflatoxicosis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of Chlorella vulgaris (CLV) on hepatic aflatoxicosis, aflatoxin residues, and meat quality in quails.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most important toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic fungal toxins that routinely contaminate food and feed. While more than 20 AFs have been identified to date, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), G2 (AFG2), and M1 (AFM1) are the most common. Over 25 species of Aspergillus have been shown to produce AFs, with Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and Aspergillus nomius being the most important and well-known AF-producing fungi.

Aspergillus flavus is a facultative parasite that contaminates several important food crops at both the pre- and post-harvest stages. Moreover, it is an opportunistic animal and human pathogen that causes aspergillosis diseases. A. flavus also produces the polyketide-derived carcinogenic and mutagenic secondary metabolite aflatoxin, which negatively impacts global food security and threatens human and livestock health.

The consumption of agri-foods contaminated with mycotoxins poses a serious threat to human health. In this study, we evaluated the presence of total aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in various agri-food products of national and imported origin in Chile that are consumed daily.

This study reports levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin in maize samples (n = 1294) from all agroecological zones (AEZs) in Malawi. Most maize samples (> 75%) were contaminated with aflatoxins and 45% with fumonisins, which co-occurred in 38% of the samples. Total aflatoxins varied across the AEZs, according to mean annual temperature (P < 0.05) of the AEZs.

Aflatoxins contaminate a variety of food and feeds and have a serious health concern to humans and animals. The present work investigated the effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) for the reduction of aflatoxin B1, G1, B2, and G2. Ginger juice reduced 70.2 ± 0.1%, 99.76 ± 0.0%, 56.8 ± 0.5%, and 98.6 ± 0.0% of aflatoxin B1, G1, B2, and G2, respectively.

Aflatoxins, the mycotoxins produced as secondary metabolites by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are the most common known food contaminants implicated with liver cancer and lethal aflatoxicosis outbreaks. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of total aflatoxins in stored maize, maize flour, and stiff porridge consumed in schools in Dodoma Region.

Aflatoxin B1 is a potent carcinogen produced by Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Aspergillus. parasiticus (A. parasiticus), mainly during grain storage. The efficacy of the freeze-dried culture filtrate of Streptomyces philanthi (S. philanthi) strain RL-1-178 (DCF) on degradation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were evaluated and its bioactive compounds were identified. The DCF at a concentration of 9.0% (w/v) completely inhibited growth and AFB1 production of A.

Aflatoxins, produced by several Aspergillus section Flavi species in various crops, are a significant public health risk and a barrier to trade and development. In sub-Saharan Africa, maize and groundnut are particularly vulnerable to aflatoxin contamination. Aflasafe, a registered aflatoxin biocontrol product, utilizes atoxigenic A. flavus genotypes native to Nigeria to displace aflatoxin producers and mitigate aflatoxin contamination.

Aflatoxin contamination in corn is a significant issue, posing substantial health threats to humans and animals. Aflatoxin testing protects consumer health, ensures the safe global trade of corn, and verifies compliance with legislation; however, effective sampling procedures are essential to ensure reliable results. While many sampling procedures exist, there is no evidence to indicate which is the best approach to ensure accurate detection.

Herein, a label-free sensing platform was designed for accurate, rapid and selective detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent mutagenic and carcinogenic substance in food and feedstuff. Minute AFB1 residues were assessed by competitive immunoassay facilitated on porous silicon Fabry-Pérot interferometer.