Detoxification of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize by Neutral Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water

Abstract

Aflatoxins, a group of extremely toxic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, can occur as natural contaminants of certain agricultural commodities, particularly maize. These toxins have been shown to be hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and cause severe human and animal diseases. The effectiveness of neutral electrolyzed oxidizing water (NEW) on aflatoxin detoxification was investigated in HepG2 cells using several validation methodologies such as the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the oxidative damage by means of glutathione modulation, the Ames test and the alkaline Comet assay. Our results showed that, after the aflatoxin-contaminated maize containing 360 ng/g was soaked in NEW (60 mg/L available chlorine, pH 7.01) during 15 min at room temperature, the aflatoxin content did not decrease as confirmed by the immunoaffinity column and ultra performance liquid chromatography methods. Aflatoxin fluorescence strength of detoxified samples was similar to untreated samples. However, aflatoxin-associated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects were markedly reduced upon treatment. According to these results, NEW can be effectively used to detoxify aflatoxin-contaminated maize.

Ameliorative Effects of Neutral Electrolyzed Water on Growth Performance, Biochemical Constituents, and Histopathological Changes in Turkey Poults during Aflatoxicosis

“…Recently, our research group demonstrated that –Cl and –OH groups of the HOCl were added to the C 8 and C 9 atoms in the terminal furan ring of the AFB 1 molecule to yield 8-chloro-9-hydroxy-aflatoxin B 1 . Data of the compound indicate an important reduction in the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential, as demonstrated by using different in vitro and in silico assays [20,24]. The most important factor in AFB 1 detoxification is the high concentration of HOCl [24]; in this study, NEW contained 43.01 mg/L; however, the post-reaction concentration was <1 mg/L.…”

“…Moreover, no T-2/HT-2 toxins or fumonisins (B 1 , B 2 and B 3 ) were detected in the ration. After treatment with NEW, the aflatoxin content in the detoxified ration did not significantly decrease (determined with both methods via fluorescence detection); in consequence, the aflatoxin fluorescence strength of NEW-detoxified feed was almost similar to the aflatoxin-contaminated feed samples, since it has been reported that this particular detoxification procedure does not reduce the aflatoxin content, measured as loss of fluorescence [20]. Recently, our research group demonstrated that –Cl and –OH groups of the HOCl were added to the C 8 and C 9 atoms in the terminal furan ring of the AFB 1 molecule to yield 8-chloro-9-hydroxy-aflatoxin B 1 .…”

“…Since NEW is non-toxic, non-corrosive and safe due to its physicochemical properties and a reverting capacity to ordinary water when diluted with tap water [17], NEW could be used for the application of safer, healthier and more acceptable methods for aflatoxin detoxification. Mounting evidence suggests that EOW has strong antifungal activity [18,19] and it is also effective in detoxifying AFB 1 in peanuts and maize [20,21]; however, there are some challenges faced in the development of this technology, such as the quick loss of activity in the presence of organic matter. Nevertheless, the application of NEW to detoxify aflatoxin-contaminated maize and the confirmation of the detoxification process in an in vivo experimental model have not yet been reported.…”

Curcumin nanoparticles loaded hydrogels protects against aflatoxin B1-induced genotoxicity in rat liver

“…In the current study, DNA damage as determined by the tail length indicate the migration of DNA in the tail in liver and bone marrow cells of rats treated with AFB 1 . These results suggested a markedly different susceptibility to DNA damage in rats hepatocytes and bone marrow cells due to the exposure to AFB 1 (Jardon-Xicotencatl et al, 2015).…”

Inhibitory Effect of Flower-Shaped Zinc Oxide Nanostructures on the Growth and Aflatoxin Production of a Highly Toxigenic Strain of Aspergillus flavus Link

“…This fungus mainly produces AFB 1 [17]. A sterile-water conidia suspension containing 0.5% Tween-80 was prepared with approximately 4 × 10 6 spores/mL.…”