BackgroundBee honey is a functional food which has a unique composition, antimicrobial properties and bifidogenic effect. In order to assess whether honey can inhibit the toxic effect of mycotoxins, the present study was undertaken.MethodsProduction of biomass and toxins by Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus ochraceus were followed in media without and with honey. Although aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. were administrated to male Swiss albino mice up to 1 μg and 10 ng/kg body weight/day respectively. The experimental animals were fed diets without our with 10% honey for two months. The changes in colonic probiotic bacteria, determintal colon enzyme glucuronidases, and genotoxicity were followed.ResultsAddition of 32% in its media increased the biomass of A parasiticus, while the biomass of A. ochraceus decreased and Ochratoxin A. was not produced. When the honey was added at the ratio of 32 and 48% in the medium. No relationship was found between mycelium weight and production of mycotoxins. Oral administration of aflatoxins (mixture of B1, B2, G1 and G2) and Ochratoxin A. induced structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and germ cells of male mice, whereas, honey treatment reduced the genotoxicity of mycotoxins. Also both toxins induced histopathological changes in liver and kidney. Feeding on diet supplemented with honey improved the histopathological changes in case of aflatoxin group, but not in the case of ochratoxin A. group (except of kidney in two cases). No significant differences were found in the activity of colon β-glucuronidase between group fed diet with or without honey. On the other hand, the colon bifido bacteria and lactobacilli counts were increased markedly in group receiving diet supplemented with honey.ConclusionSubstituting sugars with honey in processed food can inhibit the harmful and genotoxic effects of mycotoxins, and improve the gut microflora.

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Limited efforts have been made to study the genotoxic effects of ammonia in cultured OOreochromi niloticus. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess the genotoxic effect of ammonia in cultured O. niloticus using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay. Fish was categorized into four groups. The 1st group exposed to 2.5 mg/L of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (0.16 NH 3 mg/L), the 2nd exposed to 5.0 mg/L of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (0.32 NH 3 mg/L) and the 3rd exposed to 10.0 mg/L of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (0.65 NH 3 mg/ L), in addition to control group for the treatment period of 6 days. The results revealed that some genes in O. niloticus are susceptible to DNA disturbances/mutation as a result of exposure to high concentration of ammonia in water, this clearly indicated using RAPD screening assay.

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Different varieties of Egyptian date seed were evaluated biochemically. The protein content of which was in the range of 7.13-10.36%, while the fat content was from 6.32-9.28%. Phosphorus, calcium and iron were determined in all experimental samples. One variety of date seed (Samany) were used for extensive determination of the amino acids constituents by acid hydrolysis, quantitative determination of some amino acids, and evaluation of their biological value on attempt to use the seeds as new protein sources. Weanling albino rats fed on a diet of protein level 5% lost weight, but no toxic signs were observed. Analysis of blood serum of rats, for total proteins, albumin globulin ratio and free nonessential/essential amino acid protein, showed the date seed protein to be of low biological value.

Background: The present study was planned to estimate the heavy metal concentrations in water samples and fish tissue residue (liver and muscle) of cultured Oreochromis niloticus as well as metallothionein (MT) gene expression in fish liver. Fish samples were collected from different private fish cultures in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate during April 2018-April 2019 in order to assess the public health risks associated with consuming cultured fish. Therefore, we investigated the concentrations of four metal elements (cadmium [Cd], copper [Cu], lead [Pb], and zinc [Zn]) in both fish tissues (muscle and liver) and water samples during the four seasons. Other water parameters (pH value, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, total hardness, ammonia, and nitrite) were also determined. Results: NH3 values were above recommended limits mostly along the year. The trend of metal mean contents found in the fish were in decreasing order of Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd, and the liver showed greater accumulation than muscle. The highest amounts of metals accumulated in fish liver and muscle were recorded in winter and autumn, respectively, while the lowest amount was recorded in summer. Regarding fish muscle which is the edible part consumed by human, the concentration of studied metals was within the safe limits for seafood except for Pb. MT showed a significant high level in response to metals accumulated in fish liver. A positive correlation occurred between MT levels and Cu and Pb concentrations across different seasons. Conclusion: In conclusion, MT expression levels seem to be sensitive to the heavy metals in natural habitats making it a powerful biomarker of heavy metals pollution in fish cultures. In addition, cultured fish in this study could be unfit for human consumption due to a high level of Pb in the edible part of fish. Therefore, greater attention should be set to Pb sources accumulated in cultured fish in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate.

Due to the large consumption of commercial fruit drinks worldwide in recent years and considering that some of the components present in their composition cause potential risks to human health, therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the potential mutagenic effect of colorants of commercial fruit drinks (pear, cherry, strawberries and red grape) stored at 4°C for six months, on mice using comet as say, DNA fragmentation , and micronucleus test as a good indicators for strand breaks in DNA, as well measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Three doses 0.8, 1.6 and 2.4 mg/kg bw of 4 commercial fruit drinks were administered orally for mice for 3 weeks beside the control group. Mice were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose and subjected to micronucleus and comet assays as well DNA degradation and MDA analysis. The results revealed that a significant increase in tail length of comet percentages from blood cells as well in the fre quency of micronucleated cells (MNCs) and DNA fragmentation following administration of commercial fruit drinks was achieved compared to control group. The level of MDA was increased (P<0.05) significantly after administration of commercial fruit drinks especially with the high dose (2.4 mg/ kg bw) of treatment compared to control. In conclusion, this study serves as a warning about the consumption of commercial fruit drinks and for the need for further studies in order to evaluate the long term mutagenic effect of these colorants on human health since some soft drinks are consumed daily by a significant proportion of the world population.Citation: Hassanane MM, Girgis SM, Shoman TMT (2014) Assessment of Potential Mutagenic Effect of Colorant of Some Commercial Fruit Drinks in Mice.