Mycotoxins: A Review of Toxicity, Metabolism and Biological Approaches to Counteract the Production in Food

Issue: Vol.6 No.2

Authors:

Nidhi Didwania (Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad)

P.C. Trivedi (Deen Dayal Upadhyay University, Gorakhpur)

Abstract: 

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxic species of fungi. These can cause ill effects in humans and animals. More than 250 mycotoxins have been detected, but relatively few are considered to be important to animal health. This review has its focus on the biochemistry and metabolism of mycotoxins in food and feed associated with risks to humans and livestock. This review is meant to be informative not only for health[1]conscious consumers but also for experts in the field, to pave the way for future research. This would also fill the existing gaps in our knowledge with regard to mycotoxins and food safety.

References:

[1]. Barnes SE, Dola TP, Bennett JW, Bhatnagar D (1994). Synthesis of sterigmatocystin on a chemically defined medium by species of Aspergillus and Chaetomium. Mycopathol. 125:173-178.

[2]. Bejaoui H, Mathieu F, TH ailladier P, Lebrihi A. (2006). Biodegradation of ochratoxin-A by Aspergillus section Nigrispecies isolated from French grapes: a potential means of ochratoxin-A decontamination in grape juices and musts. FEMS Microbiol Lett.:255:203-206.

[3]. Bhatnagar D, Ehrlich KC, Cleveland TE (1992).Oxidation[1]reduction reactions in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In: Handbook of applied mycology: mycotoxins in ecological systems.

[4]. Biehl ML, Buck WB (1987). Chemical contaminants: their metabolism and their residues. J. Food Nutr., 50: 1058- 1073.

[5]. Busby WF, Wogan GN (1981). Trichothecenes. In: Mycotoxins and N-Nitroso Compounds: Environmental Risks. Shank RC (Es.). CRC Press, Florida, U.S.A., pp. 29-41.

[6]. Carlile, M. J., Watkinson, S.C. and Gooday, G.W. (2001). The Fungi. 2nd ed.Academic Press, San Diego

[7]. Cotty, P.J. (1988).Simple fluorescence method for rapid estimation of aflatoxin levels in a solid culture medium. Appl. Environm. Microbiol. 54: 274-276.

[8]. Desjardins AE, Hohn TM, McCormick SP (1993). Trichothecene biosynthesis in Fusarium species: chemistry, genetics and significance. Microbiol. Rev., 57: 595-604.

[9]. Desjardins AE, Proctor RH (2007). Molecular biology of Fusarium mycotoxins. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 119: 47-50.

[10]. El & Nezami H, Polychronaki N, Salminen S, Mykkänen H. (2002). Binding rather than metabolism may explain the interaction of two food & grade Lactobacillus strains with zearalenone and its derivative á & zearalenol. Appl Environ Microbiol.68:3545&3549.

[11]. Fuchs S, Sontag G, Stidl R, Ehrlich V, Kundi M, Knasmuller S. (2008). Detoxification of patulin and ochratoxin A, two abundant mycotoxins, by lactic acid bacteria. Food Chem Toxicol.:46:1398-1407.

[12]. Hohn TM, Van Middlesworth F (1986). Purification and characterization of the sesquiterpene cyclase trichodiene synthase from Fusarium sporotrichioides. Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 251: 756-761.

[13]. Jarvis BB, Mokhtan-Rejali N, Schenkl E, Barros C S, Matzenbacher NI (1991). Trichothecene mycotoxins from Brazilian Baccharis species. Phytochem., 30: 789-797.

[14]. Lorenzzetti RS, Vilas-boas IA, Garcia JE (2006). Genetic aspects of biosynthesis of fumonisins. Sci. Biol. Health, 8: 63-70.

[15]. Moss MO. Recent studies of mycotoxins. (1998) J Appl Microbiol Sympos Suppl.:84:62S-76S.

[16]. Moss MO, Long MT. (2002). Fate of patulin in the presence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Food Addit Contam.:19:387-399.

[17]. Munimbazi C, Bullerman LB. (1998). Inhibition of aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 by Bacillus pumilus Mycopathologia. 140: 163&169.

[18]. Niderkorn V, Boudra H, Morgavi DP. (2006). Binding of Fusarium mycotoxins by fermentative bacteria in vitro. J Appl Microbiol.:101:849&856.

[19]. Palumbo JD, Baker JL, Mahoney NE. (2006). Isolation of bacterial antagonists of Aspergillus flavus from almonds. Microb Ecol.; 52(1):45–52.

[20]. Paster, N., Menasherov, M., Ravid, U. and Juven, B. (1995). Antifungal activity of oregano and thyme essential oils applied as fumigants against fungi attacking stored grain. J. Food Prot. 58: 81-85

[21]. Proctor RH, Brown DW, Plattner RD, Desjardins AE (2003). Co-expression of 15 contiguous genes delineates a fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster in Gibberella moniliformis. Fungal Genet. Biol., 38: 237-249.

[22]. Refai, M. K.(1988). Aflatoxins and Aflatoxicosis. J. Egypt. Vet. Med. Ass . 48(1): 1-19.

[23]. Richelli A, Baruzzi F, Solfrizzo M, Morea M, Fanizzi FP. (2007). Biotransformation of patulin by Gluconobacter oxydans. Appl Environ Microbiol.:73:785-792.

[24]. Seo JA, Proctor RH, Plattner MR (2001). Characterization of four clustered and co regulated genes associated with 42 fumonisin biosynthesis in Fusarium verticilioides. Fungal Genet. Biol., 34: 155-165.

[25]. Sinha, K.K. (1993). Mycotoxins. ASEAN Food J. 8: 87- 93. Smith, J.E. and Moss, M.O. 1985. Mycotoxins. Formation, Analysis and Significance. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

[26]. Soriano JM, González L, Catalá AL (2005). Mechanism of action of sphingolipids and their metabolites in the toxicity of fumonisin B1. Prog. Lipid Res., 44: 345-356.

[27]. Stiles J, Bullerman LB. (2002). Inhibition of Fusarium species and mycotoxin production by Bacillus pumilus NEB1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus VT1. Proceedings of 13th International Reinhardsbrunn Symposium. In: Modern Fungicides and Antifungal Compounds III Agro Concept GmbH. Dehne HW, Gisi U, Kuck KH, Russell PE, Bonn LH (Eds), Germany, May 14&18,

[28]. Stinson EE, Osman SF, Huhtanen CN, Bills DD. (1978). Disappearance of patulin during alcoholic fermentation of apple juice. Appl Environ Microbiol.: 36:620-662.

[29]. Thanaboripat, D., Im-erb, A. and Ruangrattanametee, V. (2002). Effect of Ling Zhi mushroom on aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus. In Yang Qian (ed.), Biological Control and Bio-technology. Heilongjiang Science and Technology Press, Harbin, pp.22-30.

[30]. Townsend CA, McGuire SM, Brobst SW, Graybill TL, Pal K, Barry CE (1991). Examination of tetrahydro- and dihydrobisfuran formation in aflatoxin biosynthesis: from whole cells to purified enzymes. In: Secondary-Metabolite Biosynthesis and Metabolism. Petroski RJ, McCormick SP (Eds.). Plenum Press, New York, U.S.A., pp. 141-154.

[31]. Van Egmond HP. (1989). Current situation on regulations for mycotoxins: overview of tolerances and status of standard methods of sampling and analysis. Food Addit Contam 6:139–88.

[32]. Wannemacher RW and Wiener S (1997). Trichothecene mycotoxins. In: Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare.Sidell FR, Takafugi ET, Franz DR (Eds.). TMM Publications, Washington, U.S.A., pp. 655-676.

[33]. Wary, B. B. (1981). Aflatoxin, hepatitis, B. virus and hepatocellular carcinoma. New England J. Med. 305 (14): 833-843.

[34] Yin, Mei-Chen and Cheng, Wen-Shen. (1998). Inhibitory of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus by some herbs and spices. J. Food Prot. 61: 123-125.