Natural Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Food and Feed: Pakistan Perspective

Fungi are commonly present in the environment and can grow under favorable conditions on an extensive variety of substrates. During harvesting, handling, storage, and distribution, agricultural commodities are subjected to infection by toxigenic molds, which may cause spoilage and produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins. Fungal contamination of various food commodities with consequent exposure of the community to mycotoxins is a hazard that may exist depending on environmental factors, crop health, and soil conditions. Mycotoxins represent serious consequences due to substantial economic loss and risk to health. The environmental conditions of Pakistan with its mostly warm temperature are conducive to growth of toxigenic fungi resulting in mycotoxin production in different food items. Moreover, the poor conditions of storage and deficiency in regulatory measures in food quality control worsen the situation in the country. This review encompasses mycotoxin contamination of food and feed in Pakistan. High concentrations of mycotoxins are found in some commodities that are used on a daily basis in Pakistan, which may be a concern depending on dietary variety and health conditions of individuals in the population. Therefore, the mycotoxin contamination of foodstuff with exceeding levels represents a serious health hazard for the local population. There is a need to conduct more studies to analyze mycotoxin occurrence in all types of food commodities throughout the country. For consumer safety and the country's economy, the regulatory authorities should take into account this issue of contamination, and control strategies should be implemented and the quality control system of food improved.     

Phytopathogenic organisms and mycotoxigenic fungi: Why do we control one and neglect the other? A biological control perspective in Malaysia

In this review, we present the current information on development and applications of biological control against phytopathogenic organisms as well as mycotoxigenic fungi in Malaysia as part of the integrated pest management (IPM) programs in a collective effort to achieve food security. Although the biological control of phytopathogenic organisms of economically important crops is well established and widely practiced in Malaysia with considerable success, the same cannot be said for mycotoxigenic fungi. This is surprising because the year round hot and humid Malaysian tropical climate is very conducive for the colonization of mycotoxigenic fungi and the potential contamination with mycotoxins. This suggests that less focus has been made on the control of mycotoxigenic species in the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium in Malaysia, despite the food security and health implications of exposure to the mycotoxins produced by these species. At present, there is limited research in Malaysia related to biological control of the key mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins, Fusarium‐related mycotoxins, and ochratoxin A, in key food and feed chains. The expected threats of climate change, its impacts on both plant physiology and the proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi, and the contamination of food and feed commodities with mycotoxins, including the discovery of masked mycotoxins, will pose significant new global challenges that will impact on mycotoxin management strategies in food and feed crops worldwide. Future research, especially in Malaysia, should urgently focus on these challenges to develop IPM strategies that include biological control for minimizing mycotoxins in economically important food and feed chains for the benefit of ensuring food safety and food security under climate change scenarios.     

Advances in Mycotoxin Research: Public Health Perspectives

Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone are of significant public health concern as they can cause serious adverse effects in different organs including the liver, kidney, and immune system in humans. These toxic secondary metabolites are produced by filamentous fungi mainly in the genus Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium. It is challenging to control the formation of mycotoxins due to the worldwide occurrence of these fungi in food and the environment. In addition to raw agricultural commodities, mycotoxins tend to remain in finished food products as they may not be destroyed by conventional processing techniques. Hence, much of our concern is directed to chronic health effects through long‐term exposure to one or multiple mycotoxins from contaminated foods. Ideally risk assessment requires a comprehensive data, including toxicological and epidemiological studies as well as surveillance and exposure assessment. Setting of regulatory limits for mycotoxins is considered necessary to protect human health from mycotoxin exposure. Although advances in analytical techniques provide basic yet critical tool in regulation as well as all aspects of scientific research, it has been acknowledged that different forms of mycotoxins such as analogs and conjugated mycotoxins may constitute a significant source of dietary exposure. Further studies should be warranted to correlate mycotoxin exposure and human health possibly via identification and validation of suitable biomarkers.     

A review of postharvest approaches to reduce fungal and mycotoxin contamination of foods

Contamination of agricultural and food products by some fungi species that produce mycotoxins can result in unsafe food and feed. Mycotoxins have been demonstrated to have disease‐causing activities, including carcinogenicity, immune toxicity, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. Most of mycotoxins are heat stable and cannot be easily destroyed by conventional thermal food processing or domestic cooking methods. Postharvest approaches to prevent growth of mycotoxin‐producing fungi and detoxify mycotoxins from contaminated food are important topics in food safety research. Physical, chemical, and biological methods have been applied to prevent fungal growth or mycotoxin production, or to reduce mycotoxin content in the postharvest period and contribute toward mitigating against the effects of mycotoxins on human health. This literature review aims to evaluate postharvest approaches that have been applied to control both fungi growth and mycotoxin content in food and discuss their potential for upscaling to industrial scale.     

Co‐occurrence of citrinin and ochratoxin A in rice in Asia and its implications for human health

Citrinin (CIT) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are nephrotoxic mycotoxins, produced by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species and their co‐occurrence in rice may cause health effects in humans. Rice is an important food crop worldwide and is a major staple food in Asia which may be invaded by CIT and OTA producing fungal spores in the field, during harvest and storage. Humans are exposed to these mycotoxins through ingestion of contaminated rice and other food commodities. Yet, data on the combined presence to these food contaminants are still insufficient to estimate human exposure in Asia. This review describes the prevalence of CIT and OTA in rice in Asia and its implications on human health, which may help in establishing and carrying out proper management strategies against mould development on rice. From the health point of view, combined exposition of CIT and OTA should be a public concern as both are nephrotoxic and long‐term exposure can pose detrimental health effects. Thus, it is necessary for local farmers and food factories to implement strict measures and to improve methods for rice preservation during the distribution to consumers, particularly in the markets. Moreover, regular surveys for CIT and OTA occurrence in rice and human biomonitoring are recommended to reduce the health effects in Asian population. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

中国及欧盟粮油食品真菌毒素限量及减控措施对比

粮油食品质量安全关系到国计民生。目前,真菌毒素已成为威胁粮油食品质量安全的主要风险。欧盟的限量标准以严格著称。近几年,我国农产品出口欧盟最大阻碍之一为真菌毒素超标。本文对中国和欧盟真菌毒素限量标准的真菌毒素种类、食品分类及限量进行梳理,发现欧盟有限量标准的真菌毒素种类多于我国,并且欧盟在制定限量的过程中,考虑的因素比较全面,包括了食品品类、加工工艺以及食用人群等,限量有严有松,在保障食品安全的同时,也充分考虑了生产企业等的利益,通过对这些差异的分析,本文为我国现有的粮油食品质量安全标准的制修订提供了建议。在真菌毒素防控措施方面,本文充分对比了相关标准的相同点及差异点,并提出了进一步提高中小型粮油企业自检等建议,为推动中欧标准体系协同提供参考。     

Current Immunoassay Methods for the Rapid Detection of Aflatoxin in Milk and Dairy Products

The presence of mycotoxins in foodstuff causes serious health problems to consumers and economically affects the food industry. Among the mycotoxins, aflatoxins are very toxic and highly carcinogenic contaminants which affect the safety of many foods, and therefore endanger human health. Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) found in milk results from the biotransformation of aflatoxin B₁. Many efforts have been made to control the source of AFM₁ from farmers to dairy product companies. However, AFM₁ escapes ordinary methods of food treatment such as cooking, sterilization, and freezing, hence it appears in milk and dairy products. The presence of high levels of AFM₁ constitutes an alarming threat as milk and dairy products contain essential nutrients for human health, especially for infants and children. For this reason, there is a pressing need for developing a fast and reliable screening method for detecting trace aflatoxins in food. Several analytical methods based on high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy have been used for aflatoxin detection; however, they are expensive, time‐consuming, and require many skills. Recently, immunoassay methods, including enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunosensors, and lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), have been preferred for food analysis because of their improved qualities such as high sensitivity, simplicity, and capability of onsite monitoring. This paper reviews the new developments and applications of immunoassays for the rapid detection of AFM₁ in milk.     

Safety of Novel Protein Sources (Insects,Microalgae, Seaweed,Duckweed, and Rapeseed) and Legislative Aspects for Their Application in Food and Feed Production

Novel protein sources (like insects, algae, duckweed, and rapeseed) are expected to enter the European feed and food market as replacers for animal‐derived proteins. However, food safety aspects of these novel protein sources are not well‐known. The aim of this article is to review the state of the art on the safety of major novel protein sources for feed and food production, in particular insects, algae (microalgae and seaweed), duckweed, and rapeseed. Potential hazards for these protein sources are described and EU legislative requirements as regard to food and feed safety are explained. Potential hazards may include a range of contaminants, like heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, as well as pathogens. Some safety aspects of novel protein sources are intrinsic to the product, but many potential hazards can also be due to production methods and processing conditions. These aspects should be considered in advance during product development. European law is unclear on several issues regarding the use of novel protein sources in food and feed products. For food product applications, the most important question for food producers is whether or not the product is considered a novel food. One of the major unclarities for feed applications is whether or not products with insects are considered animal‐derived products or not. Due to the unclarities in European law, it is not always clear which Regulation and maximum levels for contaminants apply. For market introduction, European legislation should be adjusted and clarified.     

食品中修饰型真菌毒素及其同时检测方法研究进展

修饰型真菌毒素是重要的食品安全危害因子,具有毒害大、种类多、化学结构和理化性质差异大等特点。本文介绍了修饰型真菌毒素的形成及种类,分析了该类毒素的毒性特点和规律,探究了不同提取方法、净化方式和检测技术在多毒素同时检测过程中的优缺点和适用范围,并对食品中修饰型真菌毒素的污染情况、毒理学性质、代谢规律等方面进行了展望,以期为更好地评估其暴露水平及保障食品安全提供一定的理论参考。     

Monitoring the mycotoxins in food and their biomarkers in the Czech Republic

Testing of the presence of toxigenic microfungi and mycotoxins in foodstuffs in the food chain is an important part of the food safety strategy in The Czech Republic. At the national level, control of their presence in the entire food chain is assured by Public Health Protection Agencies, by the Veterinary Administration and by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority. This article summarizes surveillance activities of Public Health Protection Agencies and mycotoxins findings in dietary raw materials and foodstuffs from the 1990s to 2004 in the Czech Republic. At present, the health risk from the mycotoxins exposure from foodstuffs is assessed to be relatively low in the Czech Republic, especially as far as the foodstuffs of the Czech origin are concerned. It may result in late toxic effects (e. g., carcinogenic risk) following a single or repeated ingestion of low mycotoxins doses from foodstuffs. Nevertheless, the overall situation may change due to the globalization of the food market. In order to minimize the risk associated with mycotoxins and eliminate their impact on Czech public health, continuous monitoring of the presence of toxigenic moulds, mycotoxins, and their biomarkers is necessary, in conjunction with strict respect to European Union legislation.     

The Fate of Mycotoxins During the Processing of Wheat for Human Consumption

Mycotoxins are a potential health threat in cereals including wheat. In the European Union (EU), mycotoxin maximum levels are laid down for cereal raw materials and final food products. For wheat and wheat‐based products, the EU maximum levels apply to deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, aflatoxins, and ochratoxin A. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the different mycotoxins and their legal limits and on how processing of wheat can affect such contaminants, from raw material to highly processed final products, based on relevant scientific studies published in the literature. The potential compliance with EU maximum levels is discussed. Of the four mycotoxins regulated in wheat‐based foods in the EU, most data are available for DON, whereas aflatoxins were rarely studied in the processing of wheat. Furthermore, available data on the effect of processing are outlined for mycotoxins not regulated by EU law—including modified and emerging mycotoxins—and which cover DON derivatives (DON‐3‐glucoside, mono‐acetyl‐DONs, norDONs, deepoxy‐DON), nivalenol, T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins, enniatins, beauvericin, moniliformin, and fumonisins. The processing steps addressed in this review cover primary processing (premilling and milling operations) and secondary processing procedures (such as fermentation and thermal treatments). A special focus is on the production of baked goods, and processing factors for DON in wheat bread production were estimated. For wheat milling products derived from the endosperm and for white bread, compliance with legal requirements seems to be mostly achievable when applying good practices. In the case of wholemeal products, bran‐enriched products, or high‐cereal low‐moisture bakery products, this appears to be challenging and improved technology and/or selection of high‐quality raw materials would be required.     

真菌毒素的降解技术研究进展

真菌毒素是一类长期困扰粮食安全的重要污染物,尤其是对于谷物类作物具有极大的危害性,因此,对于真菌毒素的检测与降解已经成为粮食安全方面的重点攻克对象。根据现有的研究,主要的降解手段有物理法、化学法以及生物法等,此外还涌现出了多种手段协同作用降解的方式,种类呈现多样化的趋势。因此,为了进一步推进更加便捷、高效的真菌毒素降解方法应用到相关的粮食领域中,减少降解剂对食品本身品质的影响,并帮助开发新的真菌毒素降解方法。作者综述了近年来研究者在防控粮食等产品中各种真菌毒素污染所采用的不同策略,并且分析了相应的产毒机制,讨论了现阶段所采用的各种方法防控真菌毒素的优势和不足,同时展望了未来食品工业对真菌毒素降解方法的发展新趋势,提出了新的研究方向。     

Occurrence and preventive strategies to control mycotoxins in cereal‐based food

Mycotoxins contamination in cereal‐based food is ubiquitous according to systematic review of the scientific documentation of worldwide mycotoxin contamination in cereal and their products between 2008 and 2018, thus representing food safety issue especially in developing tropical countries. Food processing plays a vital role to prevent mycotoxin contamination in food. Therefore, it is with great urgency to develop strategies to inhibit fungi growth and mycotoxin production during food processing. This review begins by discussing physicochemical properties of five most common mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone) found in cereal grains, regulation for mycotoxins in food, and their potential negative impact on human health. The fate of mycotoxins during major cereal‐based food processing including milling, breadmaking, extrusion, malting, and brewing was then summarized. In the end, traditional mitigation strategies including physical and chemical and potential application of biocontrol agent and essential oil nanoemulsions that can be applied during food processing were discussed. It indicated that no single method is currently available to completely prevent mycotoxin contamination in cereal foods.     

天然植物成分防控农产品中真菌毒素的研究进展

真菌毒素是真菌生长过程中产生的次生代谢产物,其对农产品的污染直接威胁人类和动物的生命健康。真菌毒素的预防和脱除是实现食品和饲料工业高质量发展亟待解决的关键问题之一。目前研究者采用了多种策略来防控真菌毒素污染避免健康问题和经济损失,包括抑制真菌生长及真菌毒素生成、去除和降解污染农产品中的真菌毒素、降低真菌毒素生物活性等。利用天然植物成分（Natural plant compounds,NPC）防控真菌毒素污染表现出稳定性强、安全性好和抑制效率高等优势,业已成为研究新趋势。本文综述了近年来NPC防控农产品中真菌毒素污染的不同策略,讨论了相应的作用机制,分析了现阶段采用NPC防控真菌毒素的优势和不足,并展望了在食品工业的应用前景,为开发新的真菌毒素防控试剂提供科学参考。     

粮食中隐蔽型真菌毒素污染的研究进展

真菌毒素污染是影响全球食品安全问题的重要因素之一。真菌毒素是真菌产生的次级代谢产物,对人体、动植物皆可产生危害。自然条件下,真菌毒素分子可与葡萄糖、丙二酸或谷胱甘肽等极性较强的基团结合,生成结合型真菌毒素。由于毒素结构发生改变,现有的常规检测手段不能有效地检测其存在,因此称其为隐蔽型真菌毒素(masked mycotoxins)。已有文献报道,隐蔽型真菌毒素往往与其原型同时存在于粮食中,而隐蔽型毒素在进入人和动物体内后,经水解、氧化还原等代谢过程,可释放出有毒的毒素原型分子,给食品安全、人和动物健康造成严重隐患。因此对隐蔽型真菌毒素的形成机制、污染状况和毒理研究应尽快展开。本文综述了国内外近几年以来几种常见隐蔽型真菌毒素的最新研究进展,为隐蔽型真菌毒素的研究提供有价值的参考。     

Aflatoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in food: a review

Abstract

Food contamination is a common phenomenon in the production, distribution and consumption of processed and agricultural commodities all over the world. Food safety is now taking the frontal stage in food production, processing and distribution. This study assessed the presence of aflatoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in foods, occurrence, control, socio-economic and health implications. This study also gave comprehensive information on the safety and mycological quality of foods as well the effect on the people and economy of various countries. The review revealed the various aflatoxigenic fungi in foods, their distribution in agricultural produce and their effects on reduction in yield and quality with attendant consumer health implications and resulting significant economic losses. In developing countries, majority of the people do not know the inherent dangers of consuming mouldy produce or food contaminated with fungi and moulds with possible contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi because of lack of awareness about the danger involved. In view of this, there is need for general and public education to sensitise the people on the economic and health hazards posed by mycotoxins. Control measures such as good agricultural practices, crop selection, proper washing and cooking practices of food commodities should be emphasized to the people. Regulatory control, fast and effective analyses and detection, good produce handling and storage should be encouraged as this will assist in mitigating the side effects of mycotoxins in foods particularly in the tropical and sub-tropical countries, and in Africa nations where there is enabling environment that promotes fungal growth, shortage of food and drought of modern storage and processing infrastructures.     

镰孢菌毒素的主要类型及其收获前后的生物防控方法

镰孢菌毒素是镰孢菌属真菌产生的多种有毒性的次级代谢产物的总称,在自然界中分布极为广泛,是常见的污染粮食和饲料的真菌毒素种类,严重威胁人畜健康。近年来镰孢菌毒素污染粮食和饲料的问题日益严重,已成为普遍关注的食品安全和饲料安全热点问题之一。由于农产品收获后的物理、化学的脱毒方法存在着脱毒不彻底、营养成分流失和化学试剂残留对人畜健康的不确定性等问题;因此以生物技术为基础的综合防控镰孢菌及其毒素危害的方法成为了近年来的研究热点之一。本文将重点介绍镰孢菌毒素的主要类型及其对动植物的危害,阐述农产品收获前后生物防治镰孢菌及其毒素危害的方法,并探讨各种防控方法的优缺点以及未来可能的研究方向,以期为镰孢菌毒素综合防控策略的制定提供参考。     

基于国际经验探究中国保健食品原料管理研究

随着人造肉等未来食品的出现,食品可使用的原料将不断增加,保健食品的品类也将不断丰富。保健食品原料管理是保健食品注册与备案工作的重点和难点,管活、管住、管优保健食品原料是保证保健食品安全、有效和质量可控的关键。本文在总结我国保健食品原料分类及使用情况,梳理国内外保健食品原料管理经验的基础上,分析了我国保健食品原料管理存在的问题并提出了相关建议和意见,旨在服务监管部门制定科学合理的监管政策。