Research Publications (Food Safety)

Background To protect public and animal health against risks provoked by aflatoxins contained therein, maximum limits for aflatoxins are defined. Limit values vary depending on the intended use and regulatory authority, therefore quantitative detection is essential.

The use of microorganisms to manage aflatoxin contamination is a gentle and effective approach. The aim of this study was to test the removal of AFB1 from AFB1-contaminated peanut meal by a strain of Meyerozyma guilliermondii AF01 screened by the authors and to optimize the conditions of the biocontrol. A regression model with the removal ratio of AFB1 as the response value was established by means of single-factor and response surface experiments.

This study aimed to protect maize crops from infection and production of Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) aflatoxin B1(AFB1), using the ordinary and nanoscale extracts of Agaricus spp. HPLC technology showed that the isolate taken from Musayyib district which coded with (AFA5) was a highest toxin producer.

Mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FMB1), are common contaminants in cereal-based foods. Instances of contamination are predicted to increase due to the current challenges induced by climate change. Despite the health benefits of whole grains, the presence of mycotoxins in bran remains a concern. Nonetheless, previous research indicates that wheat bran can adsorb mutagens.

Aspergillus flavus and its carcinogenic secondary metabolites, aflatoxins, not only cause serious losses in the agricultural economy, but also endanger human health. Rhein, a compound extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Rheum palmatum L. (Dahuang), exhibits good anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidative effects. However, its effect and underlying mechanisms against Aspergillus flavus have not yet been fully illustrated.

Background One of the most carcinogenic compounds found in milk is aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is formed in lactating mammals after the ingestion of feeds that have been contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and then excreted into milk. As such, AFM1’s concentration is limited at the both the national and international levels by national legislation or internationally-adopted Codex Alimentarius standards, respectively.

Fresh maize kernels are dried to reduce post‐harvest food loss while preserving product quality. Performance and quality are analyzed together in a 4E analysis and quality assessment (4E + Q analysis) being vital for evaluating the drying system's impact on product quality. Abstract The world's population is projected to increase, impacting a 60% rise in food production demand by 2050, including the demand for maize.

This study developed an affordable electrochemical sensor using thin MXene sheets for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) detection. MXene was etched to form single or small layers, and a paper electrode was created via vacuum filtration. The sensor, with specific aptamer modification, showed wide detection range, selectivity, and reproducibility in detecting AFB1 in real samples.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a prevalent mycotoxin present in feed ingredients. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) on the Landes geese exposed to AFB1.

Vegetable oils are essential constituent of the daily dietary intake. Nevertheless, they often contain aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and benzo(a)pyrene (BAP). Physical adsorption is the most commonly used detoxification method in the vegetable oils industry. Regrettably, the previously reported adsorbents have exhibited limited efficacy, rendering them inadequate for meeting the requirements of large-scale production of edible oils.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an unavoidable environmental toxin. The accumulation of AFB1 and its metabolites in the liver poses a threat to both human and animal health. Curcumin exhibits anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. There is no report on the mechanism regarding how curcumin relived liver necroptosis in chickens induced by AFB1 based on the regulatory network of ceRNA.

Aflatoxin B1, a major global food safety concern, is produced by toxigenic fungi during crop growing, drying, and storage, and shows increasing annual prevalence. This study aimed to detect aflatoxin B1 in chili samples using ATR–FTIR coupled with machine learning algorithms. We found that 83.6% of the chili powder samples were contaminated with Aspergillus and Penicillium species, with aflatoxin B1 levels ranging from 7.63 to 44.32 µg/kg.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were utilized to investigate potential interactions between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and efavirenz (EFV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug and inducer of several CYP enzymes, including CYP3A4. PBPK simulations were conducted in a North European Caucasian and Black South African population, considering different dosing scenarios. The simulations predicted the impact of EFV on AFB1 metabolism via CYP3A4 and CYP1A2.

Solid‐state fermentation by Aspergillus niger and Lactobacillus plantarum improved the content of bioactive compounds and physicochemical properties of wheat bran. Whole wheat bread supplemented with the fermented bran displayed enhanced textual and sensory profiles with upgraded quality. Summary Solid‐state fermentation (SSF) is an economically viable processing technique to improve the bioactive content from agricultural by‐products.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination is a food safety issue threatening human health globally. Biodegradation is an effective method for overcoming this problem, and many microorganisms have been identified as AFB1-degrading strains. However, the response mechanisms of these microbes to AFB1 remain unclear. More degrading enzymes, especially of new types, need to be discovered. In this study, a novel AFB1-degrading strain, DDC-4, was isolated using coumarin as the sole carbon source.

Mycotoxins are potent fungal toxins that frequently contaminate agricultural crops and foods. Mycotoxin exposure is frequently reported in humans, and children are known to be particularly at risk of exceeding safe levels of exposure. Urinary biomonitoring is used to assess overall dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins. This study aims to quantify multi-mycotoxin exposure in UK children and to identify major food groups contributing to exposure.

Almonds play a significant role in Iran’s economy, and factors that threaten their market, such as aflatoxins, need careful consideration. Plasma‐activated water (PAW) is a new method that has antioxidant activity and can eliminate toxins and microbial agents, making it a suitable solution for removing aflatoxins from almonds.

This study investigated the effects of compound probiotics (CP) as starter cultures to reduce AFB1 residues and improve safety and quality of chicken jerky. First, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida utilis, Lactobacillus casein, and Bacillus subtilis were subjected to single strain fermentation experiments.

This study investigated the effects of varying doses of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the growth, intestinal health, and muscle quality of hybrid grouper. Four diets with varying AFB1 concentrations (0, 30, 445, and 2,230 μg kg−1) were used. Elevating AFB1 concentrations led to a decline in growth indexes, specifically the weight gain rate and the specific growth rate, although the survival rate remained unchanged. Morphological indicators showed a dose‐dependent decline with AFB1 exposure.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic metabolic products of fungi found in feed and food. Sheep, goats and cattle can convert aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). AFB1 concentrations in feed contaminated with AFB1 result in high AFM1 levels in milk and dairy foods.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on cholestasis in duck liver and its nutritional regulation. Three hundred sixty 1-day-old ducks were randomly divided into six groups and fed for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a basic diet, while the experimental group diet contained 90 μg/kg of AFB1. Cholestyramine, atorvastatin calcium, taurine, and emodin were added to the diets of four experimental groups.

Wheat, a strategic global agricultural product, is prone to contamination by hazardous fungi and toxins, with aflatoxin being particularly prevalent and perilous.

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), a frequent contaminant in silage, is a significant producer of aflatoxins, notably the potent carcinogen aflatoxin B1. This contaminant poses a potential risk during the initial aerobic phase of ensiling. The present work studied the impact of temperature on A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production in laboratory-scale sorghum silos during the initial aerobic phase. Growth curves of A.

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, primarily Aspergillus species, which can contaminate crops such as grains and nuts. These toxins pose a significant health risk to animals and humans. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most potent of these compounds and has been well-characterized to lead to diminished growth and feed efficiency by disrupting nutrient absorption and metabolism in poultry.