Occurrence of toxigenic fungi in herbal drugs

Abstract

The increase in the consumption of natural drugs have made their use a Public Health problem due to the possibility of access to products without adequate conditions of use. The concern with the quality of the natural products is due to the potential fungal contamination and the risk of the presence of mycotoxins. Ninety-one samples of medicinal plants were evaluated for the fungal contamination and the mycotoxigenic potential of Aspergillus and Penicillium isolated from the samples. Results indicated that predominant mycoflora was distributed in 10 genera. From these, 89.9% of the isolates corresponded to genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, which are extremely important from the mycotoxicological standpoint. 21.97% of the Aspergillus and Penicillium isolates proved to have the ability for producing aflatoxins (42.9%), ochratoxin A (22.4%) and citrinine (34.7%). The presence of toxigenic moulds represents a potential risk of mycotoxin contamination and considering the worldwide increased use of herbal products as alternative medicines, it is necessary setting standards for toxigenic moulds in crude herbal drugs in order to reduce the risks for consumers' health.

Inhibition of mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus nomius vsc 23 by lactic acid bacteria and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

“…In addition, the presence of toxigenic moulds represents a potential risk of mycotoxin contamination and considering the worldwide increased use of herbal products as alternative medicine (8).…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Lactic Acid Bacteria against Toxigenic Fungi

“…Therefore, growth of the fungus in cereal crops could affect humans not only after consumption of infected cereals, but also after chicken consumption. In addition, the presence of toxigenic molds represents a potential risk of mycotoxin contamination especially while considering the worldwide increased use of herbal products as alternative medicine (Bugno et al, 2006).…”

Effectiveness of bleaching agent on composite resin discoloration

“…Every 24 hours, the solution of black tea was replaced in order not to make fungus Aspergillus formed. 17 The composite resin was then washed with distilled water, dried, and stored in artificial saliva.…”