Mycobiota and Mycotoxins in Traditional Medicinal Seeds from China

Abstract

The multi-mycotoxin occurrence for internal and superficial fungi contamination were comprehensively assessed in medicinal seeds used as food or beverage. Based on a polyphasic approach using morphological characters, β-tubulin and ITS gene blast, a total of 27 species belonging to 12 genera were identified from surface-sterilized seeds. Chaetomium globosporum was most predominant (23%), followed by Microascus trigonosporus (12%) and Alternaria alternata (9%). With respect to superficial mycobiota, thirty-four species belonging to 17 genera were detected. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium polonicum were predominant (12% and 15%, respectively). Medicinal seed samples and potential toxigenic fungi were tested for ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) using UPLC-MS/MS. Platycladi seeds were contaminated with AFB1 (52.0 µg/kg) and tangerine seed was contaminated with OTA (92.3 µg/kg). Subsequent analysis indicated that one A. flavus strain isolated from platycladi seed was able to synthesize AFB1 (102.0 µg/kg) and AFB2 (15.3 µg/kg). Two P. polonicum strains isolated from tangerine and lychee seeds were able to synthesize OTA (4.1 µg/kg and 14.8 µg/kg, respectively). These results identify potential sources of OTA and aflatoxins in medicinal seeds and allude to the need to establish permitted limits for these mycotoxins in these seeds that are commonly consumed by humans.

Prevalence, Characterization, and Mycotoxin Production Ability of Fusarium Species on Korean Adlay (Coix lacrymal-jobi L.) Seeds

“…were reported in grains by Martin et al [21] and Barros et al [22]. Chen et al [17] offered a similar explanation for the prevalence of Fusarium where Aspergillus and Penicillium were not recorded.…”

“…It has been shown that Fusarium , Phoma , Alternaria , Penicillium , Aspergillus , and Cladosporium spp. are the commonly isolated mycoflora from cereal seeds and other plant seeds [13,17,18,19,20]. Almost all the common species were detected except Penicillium and Aspergillus .…”

“…Bottalico et al [13] encountered 15 species of Fusarium associated with head blight in small grain cereals in Europe. Chen et al [17] claimed that 51% of fungi associated with spider flower seed were F. incarnatum . Eight of the most common Fusarium species were isolated from Norwegian cereals by Langseth et al [18].…”

Mycotoxigenic fungi in plant-based supplements and medicines

“…Chen et al [2 ] assessed internal and superficial fungal contamination and multi-mycotoxin occurrence in medicinal seeds used as food in China. The superficial mycobiota on seed surfaces included 34 species (17 genera).…”

4-Hydroxy-7-methyl-3-phenylcoumarin Suppresses Aflatoxin Biosynthesis via Downregulation of aflK Expressing Versicolorin B Synthase in Aspergillus flavus

“…Aflatoxins including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 are mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, with potent carcinogenic activity, especially on human liver [ 1 ]. Aflatoxins can be accumulated in humans and livestock through diet of aflatoxin-contaminated foods and feed [ 2 , 3 ]. Outbreaks of aflatoxicosis are notably dependent on the crop species and seasonal changes of a given region [ 4 , 5 ].…”