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Objectives are: 1. Develop data for use in risk assessment of mycotoxins in human and animal health 2. Establish integrated strategies to manage and to reduce mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains and distillers grains. 3. Define the regulation of mycotoxin biosynthesis and the molecular relationships among mycotoxigenic fungi. <P>Expected outcomes include: refereed journal publications; development and validation of new management tools for diagnosis and prevention of mycotoxin contamination; transfer of valuable research information to clientele groups (industry, government, grain producers and food producers) through general publications, website, and extension programs. <P>The outcomes derived from the work outlined in this proposal will contribute towards the overall goals of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Our results will contribute to the improvement of food security and safety, which should impact both human and animal health. U.S. and international government policy makers (e.g. USFDA, JECFA, IARC) will use our research in their risk assessments for mycotoxins. <P>The typical outcome of risk assessment data has been government recommendations on the maximum tolerable mycotoxin levels in agricultural products, which affects both national and international use and profitability of products.
Non-Technical Summary: One of the most important food safety and security issues facing grain and livestock producers is preventing mycotoxin contamination of food and feed, and reducing the deleterious effects of mycotoxins on livestock. Mycotoxins in grains processed for biofuels becomes concentrated in the solid byproduct known as distillers grain (DG). The sale of DGs for animal feed has become an important source of supplemental income for biofuel producers, and mycotoxin contamination is a major concern. The lowering of tolerance limits for mycotoxins in overseas markets has increased the burden for grain buyers and food processors; currently, levels of mycotoxins that are acceptable for some US products are unacceptable in European and Asian markets, resulting in non-tariff trade barriers. Grain buyers and food processors need a reliable method for rapid assessment of grain quality pertaining to mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi. One important objective of this project is to develop and test rapid methods based on molecular diagnostic techniques to detect mycotoxins at the first points of sale (elevators), as well as mycotoxigenic fungi in the commodity. The project also aims to develop and test several novel cost-effective protocols to detoxify mycotoxins and prevent further deterioration in contaminated grain. New methods to monitor and treat contaminated grain would benefit domestic consumers and would allow American commodities to compete more effectively in foreign markets. Another objective of the project is to characterize the genetic and environmental factors that influence production of mycotoxins. This information will enable us to improve our ability to predict, monitor, and minimize mycotoxin production in the field. Workers who are responsible for animal and human health need information about the toxicity, carcinogenicity, modes of action, and biomarkers of exposure and disease for all categories of mycotoxins. To address this need, this project also includes research in these areas that can be used to train health-care providers to identify exposure and treat related disease, as well as to develop accurate risk assessment recommendations. <P> Approach: For objective 1, research methodologies and approaches will include: dose-response studies in animal models; analysis of mycotoxin structure-function relationships, and mechanistic studies of mycotoxin effects on mammalian cellular activity and gene expression. For objective 2, methodologies and approaches will include: development and application of molecular surveillance tools for detection of mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi in grains and grain products; and analysis of methods for detoxification of grains and grain products. For objective 3, research methodologies and approaches will include: genetic and molecular genetic analyses of fungal genes involved in mycotoxin production and spore production in model Fusarium fungi.We anticipate that results from the research related to Objective 1 will have a major impact on government decision-making by providing a better understanding of how various environmental and food processing components affect mycotoxin biosynthesis. Information generated from research related to objective 2 will advance detection technologies that can be used by public agencies, and by private diagnostic labs to provide mycotoxin analysis services to food industries. These technologies will include development of new methodologies as well as validation of current methodologies. The research related to objective 2 also will generate new protocols for monitoring mycotoxins in agricultural products that can be adopted by biosecurity agencies concerned with potential bioterror attacks on the nation. The outcomes from research related to objective 3 will include new basic knowledge that can be incorporated into new management strategies to help grain growers minimize mycotoxin contamination, and maximize profitability.