Biomonitoring of ochratoxin A, 2′R-ochratoxin A and citrinin in human blood serum from Switzerland

Abstract

Biomonitoring of mycotoxins and their metabolites in biological fluids is increasingly used to assess human exposure. In this study, biomarkers of ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) exposure were determined in a large number of serum samples from healthy blood donors in Switzerland. In 2019, 700 samples from different regions were obtained. From 240 donors, a second sample (taken 2–9 months later) was available for analysis. Moreover, 355 blood donor samples from 2005 from all regions in Switzerland and 151 additional samples from the southern Swiss region of Ticino from 2005 could be analysed.OTA, 2′R-ochratoxin A (2′R-OTA), ochratoxin alpha (OTα), CIT and dihydrocitrinone (DH-CIT) were analysed using validated targeted methods including precipitation and online SPE clean-up.OTA and 2′R-OTA were frequently detected (OTA in 99%; 2′R-OTA in 51% of the tested samples). The mean concentration in all positive samples was 0.4 ng/mL for OTA and 0.2 ng/mL for 2′R-OTA. OTα was not detected in any sample above the limit of quantification (LOQ). In contrast to OTA, CIT and DH-CIT were only quantifiable in 2% and 0.1% of the samples, respectively. No significant trend was observed between the samples from 2005 and the more recent samples, but OTA concentrations were usually higher in serum samples from the southern Swiss region of Ticino and in males compared to females.Our extensive data fit well within the framework of previously published values for the healthy adult European population.

High‐pressure acidified steaming with varied citric acid dosing can successfully detoxify mycotoxins

“…The toxicity of citrinin is further worsened by the fact that it usually occurs along with other mycotoxins, especially OTA and AFB 1 , as they are produced by the same species of fungi. It mostly occurs with OTA, with both synergistically exerting nephrotoxic effects, and may have influence on necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes (Gayathri et al, 2015 ; Jaus et al, 2022 ). Many in vitro studies showed that citrinin toxicity involves decreased cytokine production nitride oxide gene expression's inhibition, increase in ROS, inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis, oxidative stress induction, and apoptotic cell death activation through the caspase cascade system and signal transduction pathways (European Food Safety Authority, 2012 ).…”

“…Citrinin and its metabolite (dihydrocitrinon) have been detected in urine by Ali et al ( 2015 ) in 82% and 84% of urine samples, respectively. Citrinin mostly targets the kidney (Jaus et al, 2022 ). These toxic effects of citrinin and other mycotoxins can be prevented by treating foods and feeds using HPAS in citric acid concentration adjusted to pH 4.5 or 4.0 or below prior to further processing and/or consumption.…”

“…Citrinin is among the rarely studied mycotoxins (Narváez et al, 2021). (Gayathri et al, 2015;Jaus et al, 2022). Many in vitro studies showed that citrinin toxicity involves decreased cytokine production nitride oxide gene expression's inhibition, increase in ROS, inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis, oxidative stress induction, and apoptotic cell death activation through the caspase cascade system and signal transduction pathways (European Food Safety Authority, 2012).…”

Simultaneous Occurrence of Mycotoxins Citrinin and Ochratoxin A in Popcorn Grains and Their Biological Effect on some Physiological Blood Parameters

“…CIT has similar structural and toxicological characteristics to those of OTA [3]. With the kidney being the primary target organ in some mammalian species [8],The simultaneous occurrence for them raised concerns about the potential risks to human and animal health [9]. When focusing on their combined toxicity [10] Previous studies have shown synergistic or additive effects of these nephrotoxins [10,11].…”