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Chen JG, Kensler TW, Zhu J, Zhu YR, Wang JB, Lu JH, Muñoz A, Groopman JD. Profound primary prevention of liver cancer following a natural experiment in China: A 50-year perspective and public health implications. Int J Cancer 2025; 156:756-763. [PMID: 39305480 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.35198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 09/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 12/21/2024]
Abstract
Liver cancer causes upwards of 1 million cancer deaths annually and is projected to rise by at least 55% over the next 15 years. Two of the major risk factors contributing to liver cancer have been well documented by multiple epidemiologic studies and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin show a synergy that increases by more than 8-fold the risk of liver cancer relative to HBV alone. Using the population-based cancer registry established by the Qidong Liver Cancer Institute in 1972 and aflatoxin-specific biomarkers, we document that reduction of aflatoxin exposure has likely contributed to a nearly 70% decline in age-standardized liver cancer incidence over the past 30 years despite an unchanging prevalence of HBV infection in cases. A natural experiment of economic reform in the 1980s drove a rapid switch from consumption of heavily contaminated corn to minimally, if any, contaminated rice and subsequent dietary diversity. Aflatoxin consumption appears to accelerate the time to liver cancer diagnosis; lowering exposure to this carcinogen adds years of life before a cancer diagnosis. Thus, in 1990 the median age of diagnosis was 48 years, while increasing to 67 years by 2021. These findings have important translational public health implications since up to 5 billion people worldwide might be routinely exposed to dietary aflatoxin, especially in societies using corn as the staple food. Interventions against aflatoxin are an achievable outcome leading to a reduction in liver cancer incidence and years of delay of its nearly always fatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Guo Chen
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong People's Hospital, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Thomas W Kensler
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jian Zhu
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong People's Hospital, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yuan-Rong Zhu
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong People's Hospital, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jin-Bing Wang
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong People's Hospital, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jian-Hua Lu
- Qidong Liver Cancer Institute, Qidong People's Hospital, Affiliated Qidong Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Alvaro Muñoz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John D Groopman
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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McGlynn KA, Petrick JL, Groopman JD. Liver Cancer: Progress and Priorities. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024; 33:1261-1272. [PMID: 39354815 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-24-0686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer, the sixth most frequently occurring cancer in the world and the third most common cause of cancer mortality, has wide geographical variation in both incidence and mortality rates. At the end of the 20th century, incidence rates began declining in some high-rate areas and increasing in some lower-rate areas. These trends were undoubtedly driven by the shifting contributions of both well-established and more novel risk factors. While notable strides have been made in combating some major risk factors, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, the emergence of metabolic conditions as important drivers of liver cancer risk indicates that much work remains to be done in prevention. As liver cancer is strongly associated with economic and social deprivation, research, early-diagnosis, and treatment among disadvantaged populations are of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A McGlynn
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | | | - John D Groopman
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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3
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Liu XF, Karunarathna SC, Tibpromma S, Chethana KWT, Hyde KD, Elgorban AM, Suwannarach N, Kumla J, Mortimer PE, Hughes AC. Understanding the role of bats as fungal vectors in the environment. IMA Fungus 2024; 15:28. [PMID: 39232794 PMCID: PMC11373111 DOI: 10.1186/s43008-024-00161-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Bats (Chiroptera), the second largest group of mammals, are known for their unique immune system and their ability to act as vectors for various zoonoses. Bats also act as important carriers of fungi, which include plant, animal, and human pathogens. Their roosting areas, foraging behaviors, and even migration routes make bats ideal vectors for fungi. We isolated 75 culturable fungal species from bats in Yunnan Province, China, with 36 species representing known pathogens of plants, animals, and humans, while 39 species are non-pathogenic fungi. Among these species, 77% (58 species) belonged to Ascomycota, 9% (seven species) belonged to Basidiomycota, and 13% (10 species) belonged to Mucoromycota. Even though several taxonomic studies on fungi associated with bats have been published, studies exploring the role of bats as fungal vectors are lacking. This study discusses the fungi host-specific traits and pathogenicity and the impact and ecological significance of bats as fungal vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Fu Liu
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Samantha Chandranath Karunarathna
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
- National Institute Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Kandy, Sri Lanka
| | - Saowaluck Tibpromma
- Center for Yunnan Plateau Biological Resources Protection and Utilization, College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, 655011, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - K W Thilini Chethana
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Kevin D Hyde
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Abdallah M Elgorban
- Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research (CEBR), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nakarin Suwannarach
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Jaturong Kumla
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Peter E Mortimer
- Centre for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Soil Science, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, South Africa.
| | - Alice C Hughes
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 999077, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
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Medina-Meza IG, Vaidya Y, Barnaba C. FooDOxS: a database of oxidized sterols content in foods. Food Funct 2024; 15:6324-6334. [PMID: 38726678 DOI: 10.1039/d4fo00678j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Dietary oxidized sterols (DOxS) are cholesterol-like molecules known to exert pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, and pro-apoptotic effects, among others. We present the FooDOxS database, a comprehensive compilation of DOxS content in over 1680 food items from 120 publications across 25 countries, augmented by data generated by our group. This database reports DOxS content in foods classified under the NOVA and What We Eat in America (WWEIA) systems, allowing a comprehensive and statistically robust summary of DOxS content in foods. Notably, we evaluated the efficacy of using NOVA and WWEIA classifications in capturing DOxS variations across food categories. Our findings provide insights into the strengths and limitations of these classification systems, enhancing their utility for assessing dietary components. This research contributes to the understanding of DOxS in food processing and suggests refinements for classification systems, holding promise for improved food safety and public health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilce Gabriela Medina-Meza
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 469 Wilson Rd. | Room 302C, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Yashasvi Vaidya
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 469 Wilson Rd. | Room 302C, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | - Carlo Barnaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Dr. | Room 320D, Lawrence, KS, USA.
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Chen C, Patil CL, Mduma ER, Groopman JD, Riley RT, Wu F. Mycotoxins were not associated with environmental enteropathy in a cohort of Tanzanian children. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2023; 43:860-866. [PMID: 35618664 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enteropathy is a pathophysiological condition characterized by decreased intestinal barrier function and absorption. Past studies have hypothesized that mycotoxins might impair children's growth by causing intestinal enteropathy, including interactions between mycotoxins and pathogens. We investigated the association of two mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ) and fumonisin B1 (FB1 ), independently and in conjunction with microbial pathogens, with fecal biomarkers of environmental enteropathy in children. As part of a larger MAL-ED study, 196 children were recruited in Haydom, Tanzania, and followed for the first 36 months of life. The gut inflammation biomarkers myeloperoxidase (MPO), neopterin (NEO), and alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) were analyzed in stool samples at 24 months; with mean concentrations 5332.5 ng/L MPO, 807.2 nmol/L NEO, and 0.18 mg/g A1AT. Forty-eight children were measured for AFB1 -lys, with a mean of 5.30 (95% CI: 3.93-6.66) pg/mg albumin; and 87 were measured for FB1 , with a mean of 1.25 (95% CI: 0.72-1.76) ng/ml urine. Although the pathogens adenovirus and Campylobacter were associated with A1AT (p = 0.049) and NEO (p = 0.004), respectively, no association was observed between aflatoxin (MPO, p = 0.30; NEO, p = 0.08; A1AT, p = 0.24) or fumonisin (MPO, p = 0.38; NEO, p = 0.65; A1AT, p = 0.20) exposure and any gut inflammation biomarkers; nor were interactive effects found between mycotoxins and pathogens in contributing to intestinal enteropathy in this cohort. Although further studies are needed to confirm these results, it is possible that mycotoxins contribute to child growth impairment via mechanisms other than disrupting children's intestinal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Crystal L Patil
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - John D Groopman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronald T Riley
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Ding Y, Qiu X, Luo H, Huang L, Guo J, Yu B, Sudini H, Pandey M, Kang Y, Liu N, Zhou X, Chen W, Chen Y, Wang X, Huai D, Yan L, Lei Y, Jiang H, Varshney R, Liu K, Liao B. Comprehensive evaluation of Chinese peanut mini-mini core collection and QTL mapping for aflatoxin resistance. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 22:207. [PMID: 35448951 PMCID: PMC9027753 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-022-03582-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus fungi has been a serious factor affecting food safety of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) because aflatoxins are highly harmful for human and animal health. As three mechanisms of resistance to aflatoxin in peanut including shell infection resistance, seed infection resistance and aflatoxin production resistance exist among naturally evolved germplasm stocks, it is highly crucial to pyramid these three resistances for promoting peanut industry development and protecting consumers' health. However, less research effort has been made yet to investigate the differentiation and genetic relationship among the three resistances in diversified peanut germplasm collections. RESULTS In this study, the Chinese peanut mini-mini core collection selected from a large basic collection was systematically evaluated for the three resistances against A. flavus for the first time. The research revealed a wide variation among the diversified peanut accessions for all the three resistances. Totally, 14 resistant accessions were identified, including three with shell infection resistance, seven with seed infection resistance and five with aflatoxin production resistance. A special accession, Zh.h1312, was identified with both seed infection and aflatoxin production resistance. Among the five botanic types of A. hypogaea, the var. vulgaris (Spanish type) belonging to subspecies fastigiata is the only one which possessed all the three resistances. There was no close correlation between shell infection resistance and other two resistances, while there was a significant positive correlation between seed infection and toxin production resistance. All the three resistances had a significant negative correlation with pod or seed size. A total of 16 SNPs/InDels associated with the three resistances were identified through genome-wide association study (GWAS). Through comparative analysis, Zh.h1312 with seed infection resistance and aflatoxin production resistance was also revealed to possess all the resistance alleles of associated loci for seed infection index and aflatoxin content. CONCLUSIONS This study provided the first comprehensive understanding of differentiation of aflatoxin resistance in diversified peanut germplasm collection, and would further contribute to the genetic enhancement for resistance to aflatoxin contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingbin Ding
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Xike Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Huaiyong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Li Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Jianbin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Bolun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Hari Sudini
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324 India
| | - Manish Pandey
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324 India
| | - Yanping Kang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Nian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Xiaojing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Weigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Yuning Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Dongxin Huai
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Liying Yan
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Yong Lei
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Huifang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Rajeev Varshney
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, 502324 India
| | - Kede Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China
| | - Boshou Liao
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (OCRI-CAAS), Wuhan, 430062 China
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Sharma R, Hurburgh C, Mosher GA. Vulnerability Analysis using Evidence‐Based Traceability in the Grain Supply Chain. Cereal Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/cche.10545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Jolly PE, Akinyemiju TF, Sakhuja S, Sheth R. Association of aflatoxin B1 levels with mean CD4 cell count and uptake of ART among HIV infected patients: A prospective study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260873. [PMID: 35085253 PMCID: PMC8794094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aflatoxin suppresses cellular immunity and accentuates HIV-associated changes in T- cell phenotypes and B- cells. Objective This prospective study was conducted to examine the association of aflatoxin levels with CD4 T-cell count and antiretroviral therapy uptake over time. Methods Sociodemographic and food data were collected from antiretroviral therapy naïve HIV-infected patients. CD4+ counts were collected from participants’ medical records. Plasma samples were tested for aflatoxin B1 albumin adducts, hepatitis B surface antigen, and HIV viral load. Participants were separated into high and low aflatoxin groups based on the median aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct level of 10.4 pg/ml for data analysis. Results Participants with high aflatoxin B1 albumin adduct levels had lower mean CD4 at baseline and at each follow-up period. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that higher baseline aflatoxin B1 adduct levels were associated with statistically significant lower CD4 counts (est = -66.5, p = 0.043). Not starting ART and low/middle socioeconomic status were associated with higher CD4 counts (est = 152.2, p<0.001) and (est = 86.3, p = 0.027), respectively. Conclusion Consistent correlations of higher aflatoxin B1 adduct levels with lower CD4 over time indicate that there is an independent early and prolonged effect of aflatoxin on CD4 even with the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The prospective study design, evaluation of baseline and follow-up measures, extensive control for potential confounders, and utilization of objective measures of aflatoxin exposure and CD4 count provide compelling evidence for a strong epidemiologic association that deserves careful attention in HIV care and treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline E. Jolly
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Tomi F. Akinyemiju
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Swati Sakhuja
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Roshni Sheth
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
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Xu F, Baker R, Whitaker T, Luo H, Zhao Y, Stevenson A, Boesch C, Zhang G. Review of good agricultural practices for smallholder maize farmers to minimise aflatoxin contamination. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2021. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2021.2685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Maize is consumed world-wide as staple food, livestock feed, and industrial raw material. However, it is susceptible to fungal attack and at risk of aflatoxin contamination under certain conditions. Such contamination is a serious threat to human and animal health. Ensuring that the maize used by food industry meets standards for aflatoxin levels requires significant investment across the supply chain. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) form a critical part of a broader, integrated strategy for reduction of aflatoxin contamination. We reviewed and summarised the GAP of maize that would be effective and practicable for aflatoxin control within high-risk regions for smallholder farmers. The suggested practicable GAP for smallholder farmers were: use of drought-tolerant varieties; timely harvesting before physiological maturity; sorting to remove damaged ears and those having poor husk covering; drying properly to 13% moisture content; storage in suitable conditions to keep the crop clean and under condition with minimally proper aeration, or ideally under hermetic conditions. This information is intended to provide guidance for maize growers that will help reduce aflatoxin in high-risk regions, with a specific focus on smallholder farmers. Following the proposed guidelines would contribute to the reduction of aflatoxin contamination during pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages of the maize value chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Xu
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
| | - R.C. Baker
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
| | - T.B. Whitaker
- North Carolina State University, P.O. Box 7625, Raleigh, NC 27695-7625, USA
| | - H. Luo
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
| | - Y. Zhao
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
| | - A. Stevenson
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
| | - C.J. Boesch
- Food Systems and Food Safety Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy
| | - G. Zhang
- Mars Global Food Safety Center, 2 Yanqi North Road, Yanqi Economic Development Zone, Huairou, 101407 Beijing, China P.R
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Mohammed A, Faustinelli PC, Chala A, Dejene M, Fininsa C, Ayalew A, Ojiewo CO, Hoisington DA, Sobolev VS, Martínez-Castillo J, Arias RS. Genetic fingerprinting and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus section Flavi associated with groundnut in eastern Ethiopia. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:239. [PMID: 34454439 PMCID: PMC8403416 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02290-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aspergillus species cause aflatoxin contamination in groundnut kernels, being a health threat in agricultural products and leading to commodity rejection by domestic and international markets. Presence of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus colonizing groundnut in eastern Ethiopia, as well as presence of aflatoxins have been reported, though in this region, no genetic studies have been done of these species in relation to their aflatoxin production. RESULTS In this study, 145 Aspergillus isolates obtained from groundnut kernels in eastern Ethiopia were genetically fingerprinted using 23 Insertion/Deletion (InDel) markers within the aflatoxin-biosynthesis gene cluster (ABC), identifying 133 ABC genotypes. Eighty-four isolates were analyzed by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) for in vitro aflatoxin production. Analysis of genetic distances based on the approximately 85 kb-ABC by Neighbor Joining (NJ), 3D-Principal Coordinate Analysis (3D-PCoA), and Structure software, clustered the isolates into three main groups as a gradient in their aflatoxin production. Group I, contained 98% A. flavus, including L- and non-producers of sclerotia (NPS), producers of B1 and B2 aflatoxins, and most of them collected from the lowland-dry Babile area. Group II was a genetic admixture population of A. flavus (NPS) and A. flavus S morphotype, both low producers of aflatoxins. Group III was primarily represented by A. parasiticus and A. flavus S morphotype isolates both producers of B1, B2 and G1, G2 aflatoxins, and originated from the regions of Darolabu and Gursum. The highest in vitro producer of aflatoxin B1 was A. flavus NPS N1436 (77.98 μg/mL), and the highest producer of aflatoxin G1 was A. parasiticus N1348 (50.33 μg/mL), these isolates were from Gursum and Darolabu, respectively. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that combined the use of InDel fingerprinting of the ABC and corresponding aflatoxin production capability to describe the genetic diversity of Aspergillus isolates from groundnut in eastern Ethiopia. Three InDel markers, AFLC04, AFLC08 and AFLC19, accounted for the main assignment of individuals to the three Groups; their loci corresponded to aflC (pksA), hypC, and aflW (moxY) genes, respectively. Despite InDels within the ABC being often associated to loss of aflatoxin production, the vast InDel polymorphism observed in the Aspergillus isolates did not completely impaired their aflatoxin production in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdi Mohammed
- School of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Paola C Faustinelli
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-National Peanut Research Laboratory, Dawson, GA, 39842-0509, USA
| | - Alemayehu Chala
- College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Mashilla Dejene
- School of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Chemeda Fininsa
- School of Plant Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Ayalew
- Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), African Union Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Chris O Ojiewo
- ICRISAT - Nairobi, UN-Avenue, Box 39063-00623, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David A Hoisington
- College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Peanut and Mycotoxin Innovation Lab, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602-4356, USA
| | - Victor S Sobolev
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-National Peanut Research Laboratory, Dawson, GA, 39842-0509, USA
| | - Jaime Martínez-Castillo
- Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Unidad de Recursos Naturales, Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo CP 97200, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Renee S Arias
- United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service-National Peanut Research Laboratory, Dawson, GA, 39842-0509, USA.
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Ademola O, Saha Turna N, Liverpool-Tasie LSO, Obadina A, Wu F. Mycotoxin reduction through lactic acid fermentation: Evidence from commercial ogi processors in southwest Nigeria. Food Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Conservation and Loss of a Putative Iron Utilization Gene Cluster among Genotypes of Aspergillus flavus. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9010137. [PMID: 33435439 PMCID: PMC7827000 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential component for growth and development. Despite relative abundance in the environment, bioavailability of iron is limited due to oxidation by atmospheric oxygen into insoluble ferric iron. Filamentous fungi have developed diverse pathways to uptake and use iron. In the current study, a putative iron utilization gene cluster (IUC) in Aspergillus flavus was identified and characterized. Gene analyses indicate A. flavus may use reductive as well as siderophore-mediated iron uptake and utilization pathways. The ferroxidation and iron permeation process, in which iron transport depends on the coupling of these two activities, mediates the reductive pathway. The IUC identified in this work includes six genes and is located in a highly polymorphic region of the genome. Diversity among A. flavus genotypes is manifested in the structure of the IUC, which ranged from complete deletion to a region disabled by multiple indels. Molecular profiling of A. flavus populations suggests lineage-specific loss of IUC. The observed variation among A. flavus genotypes in iron utilization and the lineage-specific loss of the iron utilization genes in several A. flavus clonal lineages provide insight on evolution of iron acquisition and utilization within Aspergillus section Flavi. The potential divergence in capacity to acquire iron should be taken into account when selecting A. flavus active ingredients for biocontrol in niches where climate change may alter iron availability.
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Sabir S, Rehman K, Fiayyaz F, Kamal S, Akash MSH. Role of Aflatoxins as EDCs in Metabolic Disorders. EMERGING CONTAMINANTS AND ASSOCIATED TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45923-9_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Vasicek O, Rubanova D, Chytkova B, Kubala L. Natural pseurotins inhibit proliferation and inflammatory responses through the inactivation of STAT signaling pathways in macrophages. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 141:111348. [PMID: 32376338 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural pseurotins, secondary metabolites of fungi, commonly produced by various species such as Aspergillus flavus with suggested significant biological effects. However, little is known about effects of pseurotins on immune system functions. METHODS Effects of pseurotin A and D on proliferation and viability of macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated together with mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Macrophage response to lipopolysaccharide was analyzed based on determination of nitric oxide (NO) production, expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor production. Activation of selected signaling pathways, particularly STAT and MAPK, as well as expression of cyclins were determined. RESULTS Natural pseurotins A and D in concentrations of up to 50 μM significantly inhibit proliferation of RAW 264.7 macrophages which was not complemented by induction of cell toxicity. The inhibition of cell proliferation was accompanied by downregulation of expression of cyclins and mitochondrial respiration via inhibition of particularly STAT3 phosphorylation. Both pseurotins significantly inhibited production of NO, expression of iNOS and IL-6 production. CONCLUSION Our results advance the current mechanistic understanding of the pseurotin-induced inhibition of proliferation, metabolic respiration and functional responses in macrophages by linking the effect to JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Vasicek
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Rubanova
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Chytkova
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Kubala
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 612 65, Brno, Czech Republic; International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
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16
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Visser ME, Schoonees A, Ezekiel CN, Randall NP, Naude CE, Cochrane Public Health Group. Agricultural and nutritional education interventions for reducing aflatoxin exposure to improve infant and child growth in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 4:CD013376. [PMID: 32270495 PMCID: PMC7141997 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013376.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aflatoxins are carcinogenic mycotoxins that contaminate many food crops. Maize and groundnuts are prone to aflatoxin contamination, and are the major sources of human exposure to aflatoxins, due to their high intake as staple foods, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Observational studies suggest an association between dietary exposure to aflatoxins during pregnancy and early childhood and linear growth in infants and young children. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects on pre- and postnatal growth outcomes when agricultural and nutritional education interventions during the post-harvest period that aim to reduce aflatoxin exposure are compared to usual support or no intervention. We assessed this in infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women at the household or community level in LMICs. SEARCH METHODS In July and August 2019, we searched: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection, Africa-Wide, LILACS, CAB Abstracts, Agricola, and two trials registers. We also checked the bibliographies of the included studies and contacted relevant mycotoxin organisations and researchers for additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs of agricultural education and nutritional education interventions of any duration, at the household or community level, aimed at reducing aflatoxin intake by infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women, in LMICs during the post-harvest period, compared to no intervention or usual support. We excluded studies that followed participants for less than four weeks. We assessed prespecified prenatal (at birth) and postnatal growth outcomes (during infancy, childhood, and adolescence), with linear growth (as the primary outcome), infectious disease morbidity, and unintended consequences. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed study eligibility using prespecified criteria, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias of included RCTs. We evaluated the certainty of the evidence using GRADE, and presented the main results in a 'Summary of findings' table. MAIN RESULTS We included three recent cluster-RCTs reporting the effects of agricultural education plus post-harvest technologies, compared to usual agricultural support or no intervention. The participants were pregnant women and their children, lactating women and their infants (< 6 months), women of childbearing age, and young children (< 59 months), from rural, subsistence maize-farming communities in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania. Two trials randomised villages to the intervention and control groups, including a total of at least 979 mother-child pairs from 60 villages. The third trial randomised 420 households, including 189 mother-child pairs and 231 women of childbearing age. Duration of the intervention and follow-up ranged between five and nine months. Due to risk of attrition bias, the overall risk of bias was unclear in one trial, and high in the other two trials. None of the included studies addressed the effects of nutritional education on pre- and postnatal growth. One trial reported outcomes not prespecified in our review, and we were unable to obtain unpublished growth data from the second trial, even after contacting the authors. The third trial, in lactating women and their infants in Tanzania, reported on the infants' weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) after six months. This trial found that providing agricultural education aimed at changing farmers' post-harvest practices to reduce aflatoxin exposure, by using demonstrations (e.g. handsorting, de-hulling of maize, drying sheets, and insecticides), may improve WAZ in infants from these farmers' households, on average, by 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.98; 1 study; 249 participants; very low-certainty evidence), compared to infants from households where the farmers received routine agricultural extension services. Another way of reporting the effect on WAZ is to compare the proportion of underweight infants (WAZ > 2 SD below the reference median value) per group. This trial found that the intervention may reduce the proportion of underweight infants in the intervention households by 6.7% (95% CI -12.6 to -1.4; 249 participants; very low-certainty evidence) compared to control households. No studies reported on unintended effects of agricultural and nutritional education. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Evidence on the effects on child growth in LMICs of agricultural or nutritional education interventions that reduce aflatoxin exposure was very limited; no included study reported on linear growth. Very low-certainty evidence suggested that agricultural education aimed at changing farmers' post-harvest practices to reduce aflatoxin exposure by using demonstrations, may result in an increase in WAZ, when compared to usual or no education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Visser
- Stellenbosch UniversityCentre for Evidence‐based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Anel Schoonees
- Stellenbosch UniversityCentre for Evidence‐based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Chibundu N Ezekiel
- Babcock UniversityDepartment of MicrobiologyIlishan RemoOgun StateNigeria
| | - Nicola P Randall
- Harper Adams UniversityCrop and Environmental SciencesNewportShropshireUK
| | - Celeste E Naude
- Stellenbosch UniversityCentre for Evidence‐based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesCape TownSouth Africa
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Wang M, Hearon SE, Phillips TD. A high capacity bentonite clay for the sorption of aflatoxins. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2020; 37:332-341. [PMID: 31790632 PMCID: PMC6989347 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2019.1662493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Previously a calcium bentonite clay (CB) has been shown to tightly bind aflatoxins in vitro, significantly reduce mortality and morbidity in animals, and decrease molecular biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure in humans and animals. Extensive studies have shown that CB is safe for human and animal consumption. In further work, we have investigated a highly active sodium bentonite (SB) clay (SB-E) with enhanced aflatoxin sorption efficacy compared to CB and other clays. Computational models and isothermal analyses were used to characterise toxin/clay surface interactions, predict mechanisms of toxin sorption, and gain insight into: 1) surface capacities and affinities, and 2) thermodynamics and sites of toxin/surface interactions. We have also used a toxin-sensitive living organism (Hydra vulgaris) to confirm the safety and predict the efficacy of SB-E against aflatoxin toxicity. Compared to CB, SB-E had a higher capacity for aflatoxin B1 (AfB1) at pH 2 and 6.5. Results from this work suggest that high capacity clays such as SB-E can be used as effective aflatoxin enterosorbents to decrease short-term exposures in humans and animals when included in food and/or water during extended droughts and outbreaks of aflatoxicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meichen Wang
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845,
United States
| | - Sara E. Hearon
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845,
United States
| | - Timothy D Phillips
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and
Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845,
United States
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18
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Ráduly Z, Szabó L, Madar A, Pócsi I, Csernoch L. Toxicological and Medical Aspects of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins Entering the Feed and Food Chain. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:2908. [PMID: 31998250 PMCID: PMC6962185 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to Earth's changing climate, the ongoing and foreseeable spreading of mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species has increased the possibility of mycotoxin contamination in the feed and food production chain. These harmful mycotoxins have aroused serious health and economic problems since their first appearance. The most potent Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, gliotoxin, fumonisins, sterigmatocystin, and patulin. Some of them can be found in dairy products, mainly in milk and cheese, as well as in fresh and especially in dried fruits and vegetables, in nut products, typically in groundnuts, in oil seeds, in coffee beans, in different grain products, like rice, wheat, barley, rye, and frequently in maize and, furthermore, even in the liver of livestock fed by mycotoxin-contaminated forage. Though the mycotoxins present in the feed and food chain are well documented, the human physiological effects of mycotoxin exposure are not yet fully understood. It is known that mycotoxins have nephrotoxic, genotoxic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic properties and, as a consequence, these toxins may cause liver carcinomas, renal dysfunctions, and also immunosuppressed states. The deleterious physiological effects of mycotoxins on humans are still a first-priority question. In food production and also in the case of acute and chronic poisoning, there are possibilities to set suitable food safety measures into operation to minimize the effects of mycotoxin contaminations. On the other hand, preventive actions are always better, due to the multivariate nature of mycotoxin exposures. In this review, the occurrence and toxicological features of major Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins are summarized and, furthermore, the possibilities of treatments in the medical practice to heal the deleterious consequences of acute and/or chronic exposures are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Ráduly
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Szabó
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Molecular Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anett Madar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - László Csernoch
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Wang X, You SH, Lien KW, Ling MP. Using disease-burden method to evaluate the strategies for reduction of aflatoxin exposure in peanuts. Toxicol Lett 2019; 314:75-81. [PMID: 31284020 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxin is a fungal secondary metabolite with high toxicity that is capable of contaminating various types of food crops. It has been identified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Chronic aflatoxin exposure has caused worldwide concern as a matter of public food safety. Peanuts and peanut products are the major sources of aflatoxin exposure. Therefore, some reduction interventions have been developed to minimize contamination throughout the peanut production chain. The purpose of this study is to estimate the efficacy of interventions in reducing the health impact of hepatocellular carcinoma caused by aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. The estimated total Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were calculated using FDA-iRISK software. Six aflatoxin reduction strategies were evaluated, including good agricultural practice (GAP), biocontrol, Purdue Improved Crop Storage packaging, basic processing, ozonolysis, and ultraviolet irradiation. The results indicated that basic processing could prevent huge public health loss of 4,079.7-21,833 total DALYs per year. In addition, GAP and biocontrol were both found to be effective strategies in the farm field. Meanwhile, the other three interventions had limited effectiveness in reducing total DALYs. In conclusion, this study could help farmers, processing plants, and government policy makers to alleviate aflatoxin contamination issues in the peanut production chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Han You
- Institute of Food Safety and Risk Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan
| | - Keng-Wen Lien
- Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei City, Taiwan; Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Min-Pei Ling
- Department of Food Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung City, Taiwan.
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20
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Restuccia C, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Parafati L, Cristaldi A, Ferrante M. Efficacy of different citrus essential oils to inhibit the growth and B1 aflatoxin biosynthesis of Aspergillus flavus. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:31263-31272. [PMID: 31468354 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06169-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Food contamination by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), produced by mycotoxigenic strains of Aspergillus spp., causes severe medical and economic implications. Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of eco-friendly natural volatile substances. Their ability to inhibit fungal growth has been investigated, while no data are available about their efficacy in inhibition of AFB1 biosynthesis. This study investigates the efficacy of five different citrus EOs to inhibit the growth and AFB1 synthesis of A. flavus through in vitro tests for a future application in food matrices. AFB1 detection was carried out by LC-ESI-TQD analytical approach. Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso), and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) EOs were the most effective causing a 97.88%, 97.04%, and 96.43% reduction in mycelial growth, respectively. Sweet orange and mandarin EOs showed the lowest percentage of mycelial growth reduction. Citrus EOs showed different capacity of AFB1 inhibition (lemon > bitter orange > bergamot > sweet orange > mandarin). Our results showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity of lemon, bitter orange, and bergamot EOs which at 2% (v/v) inhibited both mycelium growth and AFB1 genesis of A. flavus. Our results show that EOs' use can be a pivotal key to recovery and reuse of citrus fruit wastes and to be used as eco-friendly fungicides for improvement of food safety. The use of EOs obtained at low cost from the residues of citric industry presents an interesting option for improving the profitability of the agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Restuccia
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Parafati
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Benkerroum N. Retrospective and Prospective Look at Aflatoxin Research and Development from a Practical Standpoint. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E3633. [PMID: 31569703 PMCID: PMC6801849 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Among the array of structurally and toxicologically diverse mycotoxins, aflatoxins have attracted the most interest of scientific research due to their high toxicity and incidence in foods and feeds. Despite the undeniable progress made in various aspects related to aflatoxins, the ultimate goal consisting of reducing the associated public health risks worldwide is far from being reached due to multiplicity of social, political, economic, geographic, climatic, and development factors. However, a reasonable degree of health protection is attained in industrialized countries owing to their scientific, administrative, and financial capacities allowing them to use high-tech agricultural management systems. Less fortunate situations exist in equatorial and sub-equatorial developing countries mainly practicing traditional agriculture managed by smallholders for subsistence, and where the climate is suitable for mould growth and aflatoxin production. This situation worsens due to climatic change producing conditions increasingly suitable for aflatoxigenic mould growth and toxin production. Accordingly, it is difficult to harmonize the regulatory standards of aflatoxins worldwide, which prevents agri-foods of developing countries from accessing the markets of industrialized countries. To tackle the multi-faceted aflatoxin problem, actions should be taken collectively by the international community involving scientific research, technological and social development, environment protection, awareness promotion, etc. International cooperation should foster technology transfer and exchange of pertinent technical information. This review presents the main historical discoveries leading to our present knowledge on aflatoxins and the challenges that should be addressed presently and in the future at various levels to ensure higher health protection for everybody. In short, it aims to elucidate where we come from and where we should go in terms of aflatoxin research/development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreddine Benkerroum
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Macdonald-Stewart Building, McGill University, Macdonald Campus, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
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22
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Visser ME, Ezekiel CN, Schoonees A, Esterhuizen TM, Randall N, Naude CE. Agricultural and nutritional educational interventions for reducing aflatoxin exposure to improve infant and child growth in low- and middle-income countries. Hippokratia 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marianne E Visser
- Stellenbosch University; Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Chibundu N Ezekiel
- Babcock University; Department of Microbiology; Ilishan Remo Ogun State Nigeria
| | - Anel Schoonees
- Stellenbosch University; Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Tonya M Esterhuizen
- Stellenbosch University; Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Nicola Randall
- Harper Adams University; Crop and Environmental Sciences; Newport Shropshire UK
| | - Celeste E Naude
- Stellenbosch University; Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Cape Town South Africa
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Liverpool-Tasie LSO, Turna NS, Ademola O, Obadina A, Wu F. The occurrence and co-occurrence of aflatoxin and fumonisin along the maize value chain in southwest Nigeria. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 129:458-465. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Alberts J, Rheeder J, Gelderblom W, Shephard G, Burger HM. Rural Subsistence Maize Farming in South Africa: Risk Assessment and Intervention models for Reduction of Exposure to Fumonisin Mycotoxins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11060334. [PMID: 31212811 PMCID: PMC6628387 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11060334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maize is a staple crop in rural subsistence regions of southern Africa, is mainly produced for direct household consumption and is often contaminated with high levels of mycotoxins. Chronic exposure to mycotoxins is a risk factor for human diseases as it is implicated in the development of cancer, neural tube defects as well as stunting in children. Although authorities may set maximum levels, these regulations are not effective in subsistence farming communities. As maize is consumed in large quantities, exposure to mycotoxins will surpass safe levels even where the contamination levels are below the regulated maximum levels. It is clear that the lowering of exposure in these communities requires an integrated approach. Detailed understanding of agricultural practices, mycotoxin occurrence, climate change/weather patterns, human exposure and risk are warranted to guide adequate intervention programmes. Risk communication and creating awareness in affected communities are also critical. A range of biologically based products for control of mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in maize have been developed and commercialised. Application of these methods is limited due to a lack of infrastructure and resources. Other challenges regarding integration and sustainability of technological and community-based mycotoxin reduction strategies include (i) food security, and (ii) the traditional use of mouldy maize.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Alberts
- Mycotoxicology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - John Rheeder
- Mycotoxicology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Wentzel Gelderblom
- Mycotoxicology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Gordon Shephard
- Mycotoxicology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Hester-Mari Burger
- Mycotoxicology Research Group, Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
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Hossain MI, Huq S, Islam MM, Ahmed T. Acceptability and efficacy of ready-to-use therapeutic food using soy protein isolate in under-5 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Bangladesh: a double-blind randomized non-inferiority trial. Eur J Nutr 2019; 59:1149-1161. [PMID: 31037340 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-019-01975-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Globally, around 20 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Identifying a more economical treatment for those affected has the potential to make treatment more available and improve prognosis for recovery and future health. DESIGN/METHODS The double-blind randomized study compared taste acceptability (measured by the eagerness to eat) and efficacy of soy-based RUTF (S-RUTF) with milk-based RUTF (M-RUTF) in 6- to 59-month-old children suffering from SAM (WHZ < -3) at icddr,b, in Bangladesh. These SAM children were enrolled in the study after completion of their stabilization phase of treatment. Tolerance of test-RUTF was also tested during the efficacy trial. RESULTS The cross-over taste acceptability study, conducted in 36 children, revealed similar results between products and an absence of side effects. The efficacy trial enrolled 260 children (130, each group) with similar baseline characteristics, including mean ± SD age 15.0 ± 8.0 months, WHZ - 3.41 ± 0.40 and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) 11.1 ± 0.7 cm. The features at the end of study by RUTF group were (in S-RUTF vs. M-RUTF, respectively): total days from enrollment: 44 ± 34 versus 39 ± 30; weight gain (kg): 0.698 ± 0.438 versus 0.741 ± 0.381 and rate of weight gain (g/kg/d): 3.9 ± 3.2 versus 5.2 ± 4.6; MUAC gain (cm): 0.9 ± 0.7 versus 0.9 ± 0.6; and improvement of WHZ: 1.12 ± 0.82 versus 1.22 ± 0.68 (all data were man ± SD and none were significantly different between the groups). At enrollment and the end of intervention, the body composition [total body water (TBW): 70.3 ± 3.2 vs. 69.9 ± 3.5%, and fat: 11.0 ± 4.0 vs.11.5 ± 4.3% at baseline; and TBW: 65.5 ± 4.1 vs. 65.9 ± 4.6%; and fat: 16.8 ± 5.2 vs. 16.2 ± 5.8% in S-RUTF and M-RUTF group, respectively] was found similar. Moreover, the increment of total TBW, FM, and FFM was also observed similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS This is the first randomized trial comparing S-RUTF using soy protein isolate with milk-based RUTF including comparison of body composition. S-RUTF was found equally acceptable as of milk-based RUTF without any adverse event. Children receiving S-RUTF showed similar pattern of changes in anthropometric indices, and body composition as of milk-based RUTF. Greater number of SAM children can be managed in the community with comparatively low-cost soy-based RUTF. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01634009.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Iqbal Hossain
- Child Malnutrition Unit, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh. .,James P Grant School of Public Health, Brac University, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.
| | - Sayeeda Huq
- Child Malnutrition Unit, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - M Munirul Islam
- Child Malnutrition Unit, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Child Malnutrition Unit, Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.,James P Grant School of Public Health, Brac University, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh
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26
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Yu B, Huai D, Huang L, Kang Y, Ren X, Chen Y, Zhou X, Luo H, Liu N, Chen W, Lei Y, Pandey MK, Sudini H, Varshney RK, Liao B, Jiang H. Identification of genomic regions and diagnostic markers for resistance to aflatoxin contamination in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). BMC Genet 2019; 20:32. [PMID: 30866805 PMCID: PMC6417274 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-019-0734-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus is a major constraint to peanut industry worldwide due to its toxicological effects to human and animals. Developing peanut varieties with resistance to seed infection and/or aflatoxin accumulation is the most effective and economic strategy for reducing aflatoxin risk in food chain. Breeding for resistance to aflatoxin in peanut is a challenging task for breeders because the genetic basis is still poorly understood. To identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for resistance to aflatoxin contamination in peanut, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population was developed from crossing Zhonghua 10 (susceptible) with ICG 12625 (resistant). The percent seed infection index (PSII), the contents of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) of RILs were evaluated by a laboratory kernel inoculation assay. Results Two QTLs were identified for PSII including one major QTL with 11.32–13.00% phenotypic variance explained (PVE). A total of 12 QTLs for aflatoxin accumulation were detected by unconditional analysis, and four of them (qAFB1A07 and qAFB1B06.1 for AFB1, qAFB2A07 and qAFB2B06 for AFB2) exhibited major and stable effects across multiple environments with 9.32–21.02% PVE. Furthermore, not only qAFB1A07 and qAFB2A07 were co-localized in the same genetic interval on LG A07, but qAFB1B06.1 was also co-localized with qAFB2B06 on LG B06. Conditional QTL mapping also confirmed that there was a strong interaction between resistance to AFB1 and AFB2 accumulation. Genotyping of RILs revealed that qAFB1A07 and qAFB1B06.1 interacted additively to improve the resistance to both AFB1 and AFB2 accumulation. Additionally, validation of the two markers was performed in diversified germplasm collection and four accessions with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation were identified. Conclusions Single major QTL for resistance to PSII and two important co-localized intervals associated with major QTLs for resistance to AFB1 and AFB2. Combination of these intervals could improve the resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in peanut. SSR markers linked to these intervals were identified and validated. The identified QTLs and associated markers exhibit potential to be applied in improvement of resistance to aflatoxin contamination. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12863-019-0734-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongxin Huai
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Huang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanping Kang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoping Ren
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuning Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Huaiyong Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Nian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Weigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Lei
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Manish K Pandey
- International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Hari Sudini
- International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Rajeev K Varshney
- International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Boshou Liao
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Huifang Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Oil Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Oil Crops Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China.
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Saha Turna N, Wu F. Risk assessment of aflatoxin-related liver cancer in Bangladesh. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2019; 36:320-326. [DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2019.1567941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Saha Turna
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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28
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Xu Y, Gong YY, Routledge MN. Aflatoxin exposure assessed by aflatoxin albumin adduct biomarker in populations from six African countries: REVIEW ARTICLE. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2018; 11:411-419. [PMID: 33552312 PMCID: PMC7797627 DOI: 10.3920/wmj2017.2284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are a group of carcinogenic mycotoxins that have been implicated to have other adverse health impacts, including child growth impairment and immune function suppression. Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic and most common of the aflatoxins. Contamination of various food crops is common in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in staple crops such as maize and groundnuts, leading to chronic dietary exposure in many populations. For many years we have used the aflatoxin albumin adduct as a biomarker of aflatoxin exposure, assessed using a competitive inhibition enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Here, we review our recent studies of human exposure in six African countries; Gambia, Guinea, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda. This data shows the widespread exposure of vulnerable populations to aflatoxin. Geometric mean (95% confidence interval) levels of the biomarker ranged from 9.7 pg/mg (8.2, 11.5) in Ugandan children to 578.5 pg/mg (461.4, 717.6) in Kenyan adolescents during an acute aflatoxicosis outbreak year. We describe how various factors may have influenced the variation in aflatoxin exposure in our studies. Together, these studies highlight the urgent need for measures to reduce the burden of aflatoxin exposure in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Xu
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - Y Y Gong
- School of Food Science & Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - M N Routledge
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
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29
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Ghanbari R, Molaee Aghaee E, Rezaie S, Jahed Khaniki G, Alimohammadi M, Soleimani M, Noorbakhsh F. The inhibitory effect of lactic acid bacteria on aflatoxin production and expression of aflR gene in
Aspergillus parasiticus. J Food Saf 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rooholla Ghanbari
- Food Safety & Hygiene Division, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public healthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Ebrahim Molaee Aghaee
- Food Safety & Hygiene Division, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public healthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Sassan Rezaie
- Department of Medical Mycology & Parasitology, School of Public HealthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Gholamreza Jahed Khaniki
- Food Safety & Hygiene Division, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public healthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Mahmoud Alimohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public healthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Mina Soleimani
- Food Safety & Hygiene Division, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public healthTehran University of Medical SciencesTehran Iran
| | - Fatemeh Noorbakhsh
- Department of MicrobiologyBiological Science College, Islamic Azad University, Varamin‐Pishva BranchVaramin Iran
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30
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Bahwere P, Akomo P, Mwale M, Murakami H, Banda C, Kathumba S, Banda C, Jere S, Sadler K, Collins S. Soya, maize, and sorghum-based ready-to-use therapeutic food with amino acid is as efficacious as the standard milk and peanut paste-based formulation for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children: a noninferiority individually randomized controlled efficacy clinical trial in Malawi. Am J Clin Nutr 2017; 106:1100-1112. [PMID: 28814393 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.117.156653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Development of more cost-effective ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is a global public health priority. To date, previous lower-cost recipes have been less effective than the standard peanut and milk (PM)-based RUTF, particularly in children aged <24 mo.Objective: We aimed to compare the efficacy of the PM-RUTF to a milk-free soya, maize, and sorghum (FSMS)-RUTF enriched with crystalline amino acids without cow milk powder and a milk, soya, maize, and sorghum (MSMS)-RUTF containing 9.3% skim cow milk powder.Design: This nonblinded, 3-arm, parallel-group, simple randomized controlled trial enrolled Malawian children with severe acute malnutrition.Results: In intention-to-treat analyses, FSMS-RUTF showed noninferiority for recovery rates in children aged 24-59 mo (Δ: -1.9%; 95% CI: -9.5%, 5.6%) and 6-23 mo (Δ: -0.2%; 95% CI: -7.5%, 7.1%) compared with PM-RUTF. MSMS-RUTF also showed noninferiority for recovery rates in children aged 24-59 mo (Δ: 0.0%; 95% CI: -7.3%, 7.4%) and 6-23 mo (Δ: 0.6%; 95% CI: -4.3%, 5.5%). Noninferiority in recovery rates was also observed in per-protocol analyses. For length of stay in the program (time to cure), both FSMS-RUTF in children aged 24-59 mo (Δ: 2.8 d; 95% CI: -0.8, 6.5 d) and 6-23 mo (Δ: 3.4 d; 95% CI: -1.2, 8.0 d) and MSMS-RUTF in children aged 24-59 mo (Δ: 0.2 d; 95% CI: -3.1, 3.6 d) and 6-23 mo (Δ: 1.2 d; 95% CI: -3.4, 5.8 d) were not inferior to PM-RUTF. FSMS-RUTF was also significantly better than PM-RUTF at increasing hemoglobin and body iron stores in anemic children, with mean hemoglobin increases of 2.1 (95% CI: 1.6, 2.6) and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.9, 1.8) and mean body iron store increases of 2.0 (95% CI: 0.8, 3.3) and 0.1 (95% CI: -1.1, 1.3) for FSMS-RUTF and PM-RUTF, respectively.Conclusions: FSMS-RUTF without milk is efficacious in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6-23 and 24-59 mo. It is also better at correcting iron deficiency anemia than PM-RUTF. This trial was registered at www.pactr.org as PACTR201505001101224.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paluku Bahwere
- Valid International, Oxford, United Kingdom;
- Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Steve Collins
- Valid International, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Valid Nutrition, Cork, Republic of Ireland
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Ranđelović M, Center of microbiology, Institut for public Health, Niš, Serbia, Kostić J, Stošić N, Đorđević I, Spasić A, Ranđelović G. AFLATOXINS: MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE, VULNERABLE POPULATION GROUPS AND POSSIBLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. ACTA MEDICA MEDIANAE 2017. [DOI: 10.5633/amm.2017.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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32
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Udomkun P, Wiredu AN, Nagle M, Müller J, Vanlauwe B, Bandyopadhyay R. Innovative technologies to manage aflatoxins in foods and feeds and the profitability of application - A review. Food Control 2017; 76:127-138. [PMID: 28701823 PMCID: PMC5484778 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are mainly produced by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus, which are found in diverse agricultural crops. In many lower-income countries, aflatoxins pose serious public health issues since the occurrence of these toxins can be considerably common and even extreme. Aflatoxins can negatively affect health of livestock and poultry due to contaminated feeds. Additionally, they significantly limit the development of international trade as a result of strict regulation in high-value markets. Due to their high stability, aflatoxins are not only a problem during cropping, but also during storage, transport, processing, and handling steps. Consequently, innovative evidence-based technologies are urgently required to minimize aflatoxin exposure. Thus far, biological control has been developed as the most innovative potential technology of controlling aflatoxin contamination in crops, which uses competitive exclusion of toxigenic strains by non-toxigenic ones. This technology is commercially applied in groundnuts maize, cottonseed, and pistachios during pre-harvest stages. Some other effective technologies such as irradiation, ozone fumigation, chemical and biological control agents, and improved packaging materials can also minimize post-harvest aflatoxins contamination in agricultural products. However, integrated adoption of these pre- and post-harvest technologies is still required for sustainable solutions to reduce aflatoxins contamination, which enhances food security, alleviates malnutrition, and strengthens economic sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patchimaporn Udomkun
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Bukavu, The Democratic Republic of Congo
| | | | - Marcus Nagle
- Universität Hohenheim, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Tropics and Subtropics Group, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Joachim Müller
- Universität Hohenheim, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Tropics and Subtropics Group, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Bernard Vanlauwe
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nairobi, Kenya
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33
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Mmongoyo JA, Wu F, Linz JE, Nair MG, Mugula JK, Tempelman RJ, Strasburg GM. Aflatoxin levels in sunflower seeds and cakes collected from micro- and small-scale sunflower oil processors in Tanzania. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175801. [PMID: 28419131 PMCID: PMC5395219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxin, a mycotoxin found commonly in maize and peanuts worldwide, is associated with liver cancer, acute toxicosis, and growth impairment in humans and animals. In Tanzania, sunflower seeds are a source of snacks, cooking oil, and animal feed. These seeds are a potential source of aflatoxin contamination. However, reports on aflatoxin contamination in sunflower seeds and cakes are scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine total aflatoxin concentrations in sunflower seeds and cakes from small-scale oil processors across Tanzania. Samples of sunflower seeds (n = 90) and cakes (n = 92) were collected across two years, and analyzed for total aflatoxin concentrations using a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For seed samples collected June-August 2014, the highest aflatoxin concentrations were from Dodoma (1.7-280.6 ng/g), Singida (1.4-261.8 ng/g), and Babati-Manyara (1.8-162.0 ng/g). The highest concentrations for cakes were from Mbeya (2.8-97.7 ng/g), Dodoma (1.9-88.2 ng/g), and Singida (2.0-34.3 ng/g). For seed samples collected August-October 2015, the highest concentrations were from Morogoro (2.8-662.7 ng/g), Singida (1.6-217.6 ng/g) and Mbeya (1.4-174.2 ng/g). The highest concentrations for cakes were from Morogoro (2.7-536.0 ng/g), Dodoma (1.4-598.4 ng/g) and Singida (3.2-52.8 ng/g). In summary, humans and animals are potentially at high risk of exposure to aflatoxins through sunflower seeds and cakes from micro-scale millers in Tanzania; and location influences risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juma A. Mmongoyo
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Food Technology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - John E. Linz
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Muraleedharan G. Nair
- Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jovin K. Mugula
- Department of Food Technology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Robert J. Tempelman
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gale M. Strasburg
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
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Faustinelli PC, Palencia ER, Sobolev VS, Horn BW, Sheppard HT, Lamb MC, Wang XM, Scheffler BE, Martinez Castillo J, Arias RS. Study of the genetic diversity of the aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster in Aspergillus section Flavi using insertion/deletion markers in peanut seeds from Georgia, USA. Mycologia 2017; 109:200-209. [PMID: 28506119 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2017.1307095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins are among the most powerful carcinogens in nature. The major aflatoxin-producing fungi are Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. Numerous crops, including peanut, are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination by these fungi. There has been an increased use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology to control phytopathogenic fungi in recent years. In order to develop molecular tools targeting specific genes of these fungi for the control of aflatoxins, it is necessary to obtain their genome sequences. Although high-throughput sequencing is readily available, it is still impractical to sequence the genome of every isolate. Thus, in this work, the authors proposed a workflow that allowed prescreening of 238 Aspergillus section Flavi isolates from peanut seeds from Georgia, USA. The aflatoxin biosynthesis cluster (ABC) of the isolates was fingerprinted at 25 InDel (insertion/deletion) loci using capillary electrophoresis. All isolates were tested for aflatoxins using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The neighbor-joining, three-dimension (3D) principal coordinate, and Structure analyses revealed that the Aspergillus isolates sampled consisted of three main groups determined by their capability to produce aflatoxins. Group I comprised 10 non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus; Group II included A. parasiticus; and Group III included mostly aflatoxigenic A. flavus and the three non-aflatoxigenic A. caelatus. Whole genomes of 10 representative isolates from different groups were sequenced. Although InDels in Aspergillus have been used by other research groups, this is the first time that the cluster analysis resulting from fingerprinting was followed by whole-genome sequencing of representative isolates. In our study, cluster analysis of ABC sequences validated the results obtained with fingerprinting. This shows that InDels used here can predict similarities at the genome level. Our results also revealed a relationship between groups and their capability to produce aflatoxins. The database generated of Aspergillus spp. can be used to select target genes and assess the effectiveness of RNAi technology to reduce aflatoxin contamination in peanut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola C Faustinelli
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Edwin R Palencia
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Victor S Sobolev
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Bruce W Horn
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Hank T Sheppard
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Marshall C Lamb
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Xinye M Wang
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
| | - Brian E Scheffler
- b Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville , Mississippi 38776
| | - Jaime Martinez Castillo
- c Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán , A.C. Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida , Yucatán 97200 , México
| | - Renée S Arias
- a National Peanut Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service , United States Department of Agriculture , 1011 Forrester Drive S.E., Dawson , Georgia 39842-0509
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35
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Degradation and detoxification of aflatoxin B 1 using nitrogen gas plasma generated by a static induction thyristor as a pulsed power supply. Food Control 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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36
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Xu YA, Doel A, Watson S, Routledge MN, Elliott CT, Moore SE, Gong YY. Study of an Educational Hand Sorting Intervention for Reducing Aflatoxin B 1 in Groundnuts in Rural Gambia. J Food Prot 2017; 80:44-49. [PMID: 28198655 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-16-152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxin, a human liver carcinogen, frequently contaminates groundnuts, maize, rice, and other grains, especially in Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention that involved training rural Gambian women on how to identify and remove moldy groundnuts to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination. In total, 25 women, recruited from the West Kiang region of The Gambia, were trained on how to recognize and remove moldy groundnuts. Market-purchased groundnuts were hand sorted by the women. Groundnuts were sampled at baseline (n =5), after hand sorting ("clean," n =25 and "moldy," n =25), and after roasting (n =5). All samples were analyzed for AFB1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A reduction of 42.9% was achieved based on the median AFB1 levels at baseline and after hand sorting (clean groundnuts), whereas an alternative estimate, based on the total AFB1 in moldy and clean groundnuts, indicated a reduction of 96.7%, with a loss of only 2% of the groundnuts. By roasting the already clean sorted groundnuts, the AFB1 reduction achieved (based on median levels) was 39.3%. This educational intervention on how to identify and remove moldy groundnuts was simple and effective in reducing AFB1 contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y A Xu
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Andrew Doel
- Medical Research Council (MRC) International Nutrition Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.,MRC Keneba, MRC Unit, The Gambia
| | - Sinead Watson
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | | | - Christopher T Elliott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Sophie E Moore
- MRC Keneba, MRC Unit, The Gambia.,MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
| | - Yun Yun Gong
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
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Wu F, Mitchell N. How climate change and regulations can affect the economics of mycotoxins. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2016. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2015.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In the decades to come, the one factor that will likely have the greatest effect on the economics of the mycotoxin problem is climate change. This article reviews the current state of known science on how the global climate has been changing in recent decades, as well as likely climate change trends in the near future. The article focuses in depth on how climatic variables affect fungal infection and production of specific mycotoxins in food crops, and how near-future climatic changes will shape the prevalence of these mycotoxins in crops in different parts of the world. Because of regulatory limits set on maximum allowable levels of mycotoxins in food and feed, growers will experience economic losses if climatic factors cause certain mycotoxins to become more prevalent. A case study is presented of how maize growers in the United States will experience increased economic losses due to slightly higher aflatoxin levels in maize, even if those levels may still be below regulatory limits. We discuss the overall expected economic impacts of climate change-induced mycotoxin contamination worldwide – not just market-related losses, but also losses to human and animal health and risks to food security. Aflatoxin is the mycotoxin that is most likely to increase under near-future climate scenarios; and thus is likely to pose the greatest amount of economic risk of all the mycotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, 496 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - N.J. Mitchell
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, 496 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Adebo OA, Njobeh PB, Mavumengwana V. Degradation and detoxification of AFB1 by Staphylocococcus warneri, Sporosarcina sp. and Lysinibacillus fusiformis. Food Control 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Gong YY, Watson S, Routledge MN. Aflatoxin Exposure and Associated Human Health Effects, a Review of Epidemiological Studies. Food Saf (Tokyo) 2016; 4:14-27. [PMID: 32231900 PMCID: PMC6989156 DOI: 10.14252/foodsafetyfscj.2015026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aflatoxins are fungal toxins that possess acute life threatening toxicity, carcinogenic properties and other potential chronic adverse effects. Dietary exposure to aflatoxins is considered a major public health concern, especially for subsistence farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where dietary staple food crops such as groundnuts and maize are often highly contaminated with aflatoxin due to hot and humid climates and poor storage, together with low awareness of risk and lack of enforcement of regulatory limits. Biomarkers have been developed and applied in many epidemiological studies assessing aflatoxin exposure and the associated health effects in these high-risk population groups. This review discusses the recent epidemiological evidence for aflatoxin exposure, co-exposure with other mycotoxins and associated health effects in order to provide evidence on risk assessment, and highlight areas where further research is necessary. Aflatoxin exposure can occur at any stage of life and is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, especially when hepatitis B infection is present. Recent evidence suggests that aflatoxin may be an underlying determinant of stunted child growth, and may lower cell-mediated immunity, thereby increasing disease susceptibility. However, a causal relationship between aflatoxin exposure and these latter adverse health outcomes has not been established, and the biological mechanisms for these have not been elucidated, prompting further research. Furthermore, there is a dearth of information regarding the health effects of co-exposure to aflatoxin with other mycotoxins. Recent developments of biomarkers provide opportunities for important future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yun Gong
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Sinead Watson
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Michael N Routledge
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, UK
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Ng E, de Colombani P. Framework for Selecting Best Practices in Public Health: A Systematic Literature Review. J Public Health Res 2015; 4:577. [PMID: 26753159 PMCID: PMC4693338 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2015.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence-based public health has commonly relied on findings from empirical studies, or research-based evidence. However, this paper advocates that practice-based evidence derived from programmes implemented in real-life settings is likely to be a more suitable source of evidence for inspiring and guiding public health programmes. Selection of best practices from the array of implemented programmes is one way of generating such practice-based evidence. Yet the lack of consensus on the definition and criteria for practice-based evidence and best practices has limited their application in public health so far. To address the gap in literature on practice-based evidence, this paper hence proposes measures of success for public health interventions by developing an evaluation framework for selection of best practices. The proposed framework was synthesised from a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on existing evaluation frameworks for public health programmes as well as processes employed by health-related organisations when selecting best practices. A best practice is firstly defined as an intervention that has shown evidence of effectiveness in a particular setting and is likely to be replicable to other situations. Regardless of the area of public health, interventions should be evaluated by their context, process and outcomes. A best practice should hence meet most, if not all, of eight identified evaluation criteria: relevance, community participation, stakeholder collaboration, ethical soundness, replicability, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability. Ultimately, a standardised framework for selection of best practices will improve the usefulness and credibility of practice-based evidence in informing evidence-based public health interventions. Significance for public healthBest practices are a valuable source of practice-based evidence on effective public health interventions implemented in real-life settings. Yet, despite the frequent branding of interventions as best practices or good practices, there is no consensus on the definition and desirable characteristics of such best practices. Hence, this is likely to be the first systematic review on the topic of best practices in public health. Having a single widely accepted framework for selecting best practices will ensure that the selection processes by different agencies are fair and comparable, as well as enable public health workers to better appreciate and adopt best practices in different settings. Ultimately, standardisation will improve the credibility and usefulness of practice-based evidence to that of research-based evidence.
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Abstract
Maize is one of the most important agricultural commodities worldwide in terms of amounts produced, consumed, and traded. Hence, naturally occurring aflatoxin contamination in maize has important ramifications for both global trade and health. Aflatoxin is produced by certain species of the genus Aspergillus in a variety of food crops, including maize, peanuts, and tree nuts. Over 100 nations have aflatoxin regulations, which are intended to protect human and animal health, but also incur economic losses to nations that attempt to export maize and other aflatoxin-contaminated commodities. These economic effects must be balanced against the health protection afforded by the regulations. It is important to acknowledge that, even in nations that have aflatoxin regulations, many individuals consume maize that has undergone no regulatory inspection, especially in nations where subsistence farming is widespread. Hence, aflatoxin contamination, exposure, and lack of regulation can also contribute to adverse effects on trade and health worldwide. This review, part of a special issue on aflatoxin in maize, describes economic and health effects of aflatoxin in maize on a global level. It ends with a story of an intervention that reduced maize consumption in one population in China, which is likely the main determinant of the reduction in liver cancer mortality in that population over the last 30 years, from reduced aflatoxin exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, 469 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Battilani P, Leggieri MC. Predictive modelling of aflatoxin contamination to support maize chain management. WORLD MYCOTOXIN J 2015. [DOI: 10.3920/wmj2014.1740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to design the potential support given by predictive models to maize management in a chain vision aimed at minimising aflatoxin contamination and human and animal exposure. There are some predictive models available but only AFLA-maize, which is a mechanistic model, is suitable for aflatoxin risk prediction worldwide. Weather data are the mandatory input for aflatoxin risk prediction and the output depends strictly on data sources, thus being influenced by both the time and distance scale of meteorological data. A user friendly summary interface of output data from predictive models is represented by risk maps in which the spatial gradient of the risk is highlighted. Actual (day by day throughout the maize growing season), historical (collected in the past) and future (predicted) data can be considered from single weather stations, a network of weather stations or a data base to support a single farm, a group of farms or an area, respectively. Past scenarios are the output generated by historical data, predictions related to actual data describe the risk situation of the current growing season and future data support the prediction of future scenarios. Model predictions cannot really support operational decisions throughout the maize growing season, but they are useful approaching crop ripening, when it is suggested that early harvest is associated with high risk and a switch from contaminated grain to non-food/ feed use can be decided. Scenarios generated by historical data can support preseason decisions with more careful management in high risk areas, while climate change scenarios are mainly destined for strategic actions deputed to institutions and policy makers. Model predictions destined for all the actors in the chain (farmers, extension services, stakeholders, politicians, institutions and researchers) can further support crop management, being also useful as communication and risk management tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Battilani
- Institute of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - M. Camardo Leggieri
- Institute of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
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Wu F, Mitchell NJ, Male D, Kensler TW. Reduced foodborne toxin exposure is a benefit of improving dietary diversity. Toxicol Sci 2014; 141:329-34. [PMID: 25015663 PMCID: PMC4271042 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring foodborne toxins are common in subsistence diets of low-income human populations worldwide. Often, these populations rely on one or two staple foods for the bulk of their calories, making them more susceptible to chronic intake of certain toxins. Exposure to common foodborne toxins is associated with diverse conditions such as cancer, immunotoxicity, growth impairment, and neurological deficits. Interventions focused solely on reducing toxin levels have proven difficult to sustain. Using case studies of two foodborne toxins, aflatoxin and cassava cyanide, this article addresses the heightened risk of particular diseases from eating monotonous diets based in maize, groundnuts, and cassava: common in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. We also discuss the potential role of increased dietary diversity in counteracting these diseases. Increased dietary diversity can reduce consumption of toxins and increase intake of nutrients that could counteract the toxicity of such chemicals. In Qidong, China, a population that previously consumed a monotonous maize-based diet and increased dietary diversity since the 1980s has experienced a dramatic reduction in liver cancer mortalities. That liver cancer decreased as dietary diversity increased is the catalyst for the hypothesis that dietary diversity could have a direct impact on reducing health effects of foodborne toxins. Future research, agricultural development, and food policy reforms should take into consideration the multifaceted benefits associated with improved dietary diversity. Collaborations between toxicologists, nutritionists, and policymakers are important to development of sustainable interventions to reduce foodborne toxin exposure and promote health through increased dietary diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824 Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Nicole J Mitchell
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Denis Male
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824
| | - Thomas W Kensler
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205 Environmental and Occupational Health, Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
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Reduction of aflatoxins by Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei. Mycotoxin Res 2014; 30:141-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12550-014-0202-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2013] [Revised: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Mohseni R, Noorbakhsh F, Moazeni M, Nasrollahi Omran A, Rezaie S. Antitoxin Characteristic of Licorice Extract: The Inhibitory Effect on Aflatoxin Production in A
spergillus parasiticus. J Food Saf 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rashin Mohseni
- Young Researchers Club; Tonekabon Branch; Islamic Azad University; Tonekabon Iran
| | - Fatemeh Noorbakhsh
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Science; Islamic Azad University; Varamin-Pishva Iran
| | - Maryam Moazeni
- Invasive Fungal Research Centre/Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology; Faculty of Medicine; Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences; Sari Iran
| | | | - Sassan Rezaie
- Biotechnology Research Center; Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
- Division of Molecular Biology; Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health; Tehran University of Medical Science; Poursina St. Keshavarz Blv. PO Box: 14155-6446 Tehran 14155 Iran
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Mohammadi A, Mehrzad J, Mahmoudi M, Schneider M. Environmentally Relevant Level of Aflatoxin B1 Dysregulates Human Dendritic Cells Through Signaling on Key Toll-Like Receptors. Int J Toxicol 2014; 33:175-186. [DOI: 10.1177/1091581814526890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly hazardous fungal biometabolites usually present in feeds and foods. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and a known carcinogen. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), highly expressed by myeloid dendritic cells (DC), are key innate immune-surveillance molecules. Toll-like receptors not only sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns but also contribute to infections and cancer. To assess AFB1–TLR interactions on human myeloid DC, pure CD11c+ DC were generated from monocytes isolated from healthy individuals and then exposed to relevant level of AFB1 for 2 hours. Both quantitative polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometric assays were used to quantify, respectively, expression of TLR2 and TLR4 at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in these DC. Levels of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were also analyzed in AFB1- and mock-treated DC. Compared to nontreated CD11c+ DC, expression levels of both TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and proteins were significantly upregulated in AFB1-treated cells. Further, although IL-10 levels in AFB1-treated DC were similar to those in the mock-treated DC, the AFB1-exposed DC secreted higher amounts of IL-1β and IL-6. Dendritic cells are sensitive to environmentally relevant level of AFB1, and TLR2 and TLR4 are involved in sensing AFB1. Considering the broad roles of TLR2, TLR4, and DC in immunity and infections, our novel findings open a new door to understanding the molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of AFB1 in inducing immunodysregulation, immunotoxicity, and thus (non)infectious diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Mohammadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Sections Immunology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Veterinary Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jalil Mehrzad
- Department of Pathobiology, Sections Immunology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Veterinary Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Mahmoudi
- Immunology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marion Schneider
- Sektion Experimentelle Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Wu
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824; ,
| | - John D. Groopman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205;
| | - James J. Pestka
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824; ,
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Se-(2-aminoalkyl)selenocysteines as biochemical redox agents. A tool to contrast cell injury induced by aflatoxin B1 in HepG2 cells. Amino Acids 2013; 46:459-70. [PMID: 24352518 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-013-1639-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Se-(2-aminoalkyl)selenocysteines were shown to have a chemoprotective activity towards HepG2 cells, contrasting the cell damage of aflatoxin B1. The results of this study suggest that our newly synthesized seleno-diamino acids are apparently endowed with a potent protective potential against cell damage caused by AFB1 similar to, or even higher than, that exerted by the reference compound Se-Me-SeCys. The protective effect does not seem to be absolute, i.e., merely determined by the presence of the chalcogen atom, but rather strictly related to the molecular structure of the new compounds tested. From this point of view, Se-(2-aminoalkyl)selenocysteines may represent a new class of biochemical redox agents fruitfully exploitable to contrast aflatoxin toxicity, at the same time a sound medical application and an economically relevant agricultural issue.
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