Objective: This study assessed the effect of cellulose sheets fortified with Natamycin-loaded alginate nanoparticles on the growth of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production on the superficial layer of Egyptian Romy cheese after 12 weeks of maturation. Materials and Methods: Toxigenic A. flavus (GenBank accession No. MT645073) was inoculated into the outer surface of Egyptian Romy cheese (at 5 log CFU/gm) and wrapped with a cellulose sheet fortified with Natamycin-loaded alginate nanoparticles. Unwrapped control contaminated Romy wheels were made as well as non-contaminated wrapped cheese wheels for sensory evaluation. Romy cheese wheels were stored at a temperature similar to commercial methods for 12 weeks. Fungal counts were enumerated during this time, and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay detected aflatoxin after the 4th week of maturation storage. Results: In cheese samples covered with cellulose sheets containing Natamycin-loaded alginate nanoparticles, the fungal count was reduced by 2 log approximately in contrast to control samples after the 2nd week of storage. However, within the 8th week of storage, the greatest significant reduction ( p < 0.05) was seen where fungal growth was hindered entirely to the end of the ripening period. The mean values for taste, color, flavor, and overall acceptability were 4, 4.7, 4.09, and 4.3, respectively. Furthermore, in the treated samples, the total aflatoxin concentration was decreased by 78.6% relative to the untreated control one. Conclusion: Using cellulose sheets fortified with Natamycin-loaded alginate nanoparticles in Egyptian Romy cheese wrapping could be an effective way of controlling A. flavus and subsequent aflatoxin production without influencing the typical taste, color, flavor, and overall appearance of traditional Romy cheese.
A feeding experiment was conducted with rats to reevaluate the possible toxic effects of very low level (tolerance limit) of ochratoxin A (OTA) and attempting to overcome this ochratoxicosis A via dietary supplementation of some essential oils. The obtained results revealed that the toxicated as well as garlic-oil groups of rats moisten their mats than the other groups' mats. Garlic-oil group also excreted more wet feces and had the lowest daily bodyweight gain as well as the worst feed conversion ratio comparing with the other groups. Garlic oil containing diets (whether with or without the toxin) reflected very low bone mineral density, whereas all toxic diets (with or without garlic or marjoram oils) and marjoram oil alone reflected high bone mineral concentration but the lowest value was obtained with garlic oil alone. Bone area was increased in all treatments, except garlic oil group. However, the highest area was in marjoram group. Lean mass was the lowest in the toxic diets with or without garlic oil. Fat mass was at lowest value in the toxic diet plus marjoram and the highest in the toxic diet plus garlic oil. OTA and/or the tested essential oils affected also the post-mortem, relative weights (particularly spleen), the blood profile (particularly Glob, Glu, AST, Cre, alkaline phosphatase, LDH, testosterone, lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes), proximate analysis of the biological tissues, and the histological structure of the internal organs. So, even the very low concentration of OTA (25 ppb, as a dietary tolerance level in some countries) used in this study, it may be harmful and dietary essential oils inclusion could not completely overcome its toxic effects. So, it is still a fact that prevention (of mold growth) is easier, cheaper and more effective and better than curing of mycotoxicosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.