Chronic and Acute Toxicities of Aflatoxins: Mechanisms of Action

The aim of this analysis was to assess the association between consumption of maize and dairy products and urine and serum levels of aflatoxin FM1 (AFM1) in a sample of 59 males occupationally exposed (29) and non-exposed (30) to aflatoxins. Two urine samples were collected for each person; each sample was accompanied by a questionnaire on food consumption in the preceding 96 h. Given the similar levels of contamination found in exposed and non-exposed workers, the association between food consumption and AFM1 levels was analyzed by pooling samples from exposed and non-exposed workers. No serum sample was found to be positive for AFM1, whereas 74% of the urine samples were positive; the average concentration of positive samples was 0.042 ng/mL (range < limit of detection (LoD) (0.002)–0.399 ng/mL). Of the 21 samples from maize consumers, 13 were positive for AFM1 (62%), with a mean concentration of 0.026 ng/mL (range 0.006–0.088 ng/mL), while 76% (74/94) of the samples from maize non-consumers were positive (mean 0.045, range < LoD (0.002)–0.399 ng/mL). No association was found with milk or dairy products. The high urine level of aflatoxins found in both exposed and non-exposed workers was not associated with the consumption of maize or cow milk products.

show abstract

“…The short-term exposure to aflatoxins in humans can be monitored through urine and serum levels of toxin catabolites [7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Urinary Levels of Aflatoxin and Consumption of Food Linked to Maize or Cow Milk or Dairy Products

Ferri

Brera

Santis

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The lactone can also be disrupted by different enzymes of various origins, including laccases, peroxidases, reductases, and oxidases [223]. The terminal furan group is another key target for the detoxification of aflatoxins, especially that it is directly involved in the toxicity of many aflatoxins [225]. In recent years, there has been a great interest in aflatoxin-modifying enzymes, which specifically target and modify the terminal furan [226] or the lactone [227] moiety, as a convenient, cost-effective and low risk method to detoxify aflatoxins or generate derivatives with significantly lower toxicities [226][227][228].…”

Section: Decontaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aflatoxins: Producing-Molds, Structure, Health Issues and Incidence in Southeast Asian and Sub-Saharan African Countries

Benkerroum

2020

IJERPH

185

112

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This review aims to update the main aspects of aflatoxin production, occurrence and incidence in selected countries, and associated aflatoxicosis outbreaks. Means to reduce aflatoxin incidence in crops were also presented, with an emphasis on the environmentally-friendly technology using atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxins are unavoidable widespread natural contaminants of foods and feeds with serious impacts on health, agricultural and livestock productivity, and food safety. They are secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus species distributed on three main sections of the genus (section Flavi, section Ochraceorosei, and section Nidulantes). Poor economic status of a country exacerbates the risk and the extent of crop contamination due to faulty storage conditions that are usually suitable for mold growth and mycotoxin production: temperature of 22 to 29 °C and water activity of 0.90 to 0.99. This situation paralleled the prevalence of high liver cancer and the occasional acute aflatoxicosis episodes that have been associated with these regions. Risk assessment studies revealed that Southeast Asian (SEA) and Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries remain at high risk and that, apart from the regulatory standards revision to be more restrictive, other actions to prevent or decontaminate crops are to be taken for adequate public health protection. Indeed, a review of publications on the incidence of aflatoxins in selected foods and feeds from countries whose crops are classically known for their highest contamination with aflatoxins, reveals that despite the intensive efforts made to reduce such an incidence, there has been no clear tendency, with the possible exception of South Africa, towards sustained improvements. Nonetheless, a global risk assessment of the new situation regarding crop contamination with aflatoxins by international organizations with the required expertise is suggested to appraise where we stand presently.

show abstract

“…Aflatoxins that cause major detrimental effects are B 1 , B 2 , G 1 , and G 2 ; with aflatoxin B 1 being the most potent hepatocarcinogen known [3]. Aflatoxin B 1 are also reported to be mutagenic, teratogenic and estrogenic [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aflatoxins occur in most of the staple foods produced in Africa such as maize, sorghum, groundnuts, peanuts and cottonseed [5]. The contamination is associated with high moisture content; 18-18.5% in the grains, yet subsequent processing steps, such as drying and boiling, do not reduce the aflatoxin levels [4,6]. The European Economic Community (EEC) as well as the United States Food and Drug Authority (FDA) set the maximum permitted levels of total aflatoxins in poultry feed as 20 µg/kg [EEC, 1991], while the Uganda National Bureau for Standards (UNBS) set a limit of 10 µg/kg for all foods and feeds but only those intended for export [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The in vitro Efficacy of Two Microbial Strains and Physicochemical Effects on their Aflatoxin Decontamination in Poultry Feeds

Tebetyo

Bogere

Nabulime

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Contamination of animal feeds with aflatoxigenic fungi is a challenge to livestock farmers worldwide. Aflatoxins are very toxic fungal metabolites that are associated with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and estrogenic effects. The toxins affect animal productivity and may lead to deaths, causing enormous economic losses. Aflatoxin decontamination is a challenge to the feed industry, despite the several approaches available. This study investigated the efficacy of two microbial isolates, Bacillus spp (B285) and Yeast strain (Y833), in reducing Aflatoxin concentration in poultry feeds in comparison with a commonly used commercial chemical binder, Bentonite. The influence of the poultry feed matrix, pH, and temperature on the aflatoxin reducing activity by the two microorganisms was also explored. Results: The in vitro studies showed that the two microorganisms and the chemical binder reduced aflatoxins by over 74% of the original concentration. The chemical binder registered the highest reduction at 93.4%; followed by Y833 (83.6%), then the combination of Y833 and B285 (77.9%); and lastly B285 (74.9%). There was no significant (p>0.05) influence of temperature on the toxin reducing capacity of all the agents tested. The pHs 4.5 and 6.5 did not have a significant effect on the performance of both chemical binder and biological agents, however, the former performed better at pH 6.5 with 95% aflatoxin reduction compared to the microorganisms. The aflatoxin reducing activity was lower in presence of feeds compared to that in Phosphate Buffered Saline except for Y833 where no difference was observed. Conclusions: Although the feed components affected the aflatoxin reducing capacity of the test materials, the chemical binder was more effective than the microbial agents. Yeast strain was more effective than the bacterial strain in reducing the aflatoxin levels, however, both are promising strategies for countering the aflatoxin challenges in animal feeds. In response to the advocacy for use of biological control agents, there is need for more investigations to establish the safety of the microorganisms, the mechanism of decontamination and safety of the products; the optimum concentrations that can reduce aflatoxins in feeds to permissible levels and the effect of the toxin contamination levels on microbial efficiency.

show abstract

Chronic and Acute Toxicities of Aflatoxins: Mechanisms of Action

Cited by 325 publications

References 181 publications

Association between Urinary Levels of Aflatoxin and Consumption of Food Linked to Maize or Cow Milk or Dairy Products

Association between Urinary Levels of Aflatoxin and Consumption of Food Linked to Maize or Cow Milk or Dairy Products

Aflatoxins: Producing-Molds, Structure, Health Issues and Incidence in Southeast Asian and Sub-Saharan African Countries

The in vitro Efficacy of Two Microbial Strains and Physicochemical Effects on their Aflatoxin Decontamination in Poultry Feeds

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About