scholarly journals Predicting Aflatoxin and Fumonisin in Shelled Corn Lots Using Poor-Quality Grade Components

2006 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders S Johansson ◽  
Thomas B Whitaker ◽  
Winston M Hagler ◽  
Daryl T Bowman ◽  
Andy B Slate ◽  
...  

Abstract A study was conducted to determine if aflatoxin and fumonisin are concentrated in the poor-quality grade components of shelled corn. Four 1.0 kg test samples were each taken from 23 lots of shelled corn marketed in North Carolina. Inspectors from the Federal Grain Inspection Service divided each test sample into 3 grade components: (1) damaged kernels (DM), (2) broken corn and foreign material (BCFM), and )3) whole kernels (WH). The aflatoxin and fumonisin concentration was measured in each component and a mass balance equation was used to calculate the total concentration of each mycotoxin in each test sample. Averaged across all test samples, the aflatoxin concentrations in the DM, BCFM, and WH components were 1300.3, 455.2, and 37.3 ppb, respectively. Averaged across all test samples, the fumonisin concentrations in the DM, BCFM, and WH components were 148.3, 51.3, and 1.8 ppm, respectively. The DM and BCFM components combined accounted for only 5.0% of the test sample mass, but accounted for 59.8 and 77.5% of the total aflatoxin and fumonisin mass in the test sample, respectively. Both aflatoxin mass (ng) and aflatoxin concentration (ng/g) in the combined DM and BCFM components had high correlations with aflatoxin concentration in the lot. The highest correlation occurred when aflatoxin mass (ng) in the combined DM and BCFM components was related to aflatoxin concentration in the lot (0.964). Similar results were obtained for fumonisin. This study indicated that measuring either aflatoxin or fumonisin in the combined DM and BCFM grade components could be used as a screening method to predict either aflatoxin or fumonisin in a bulk lot of shelled corn.

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Whitaker ◽  
F. G. Giesbrecht ◽  
W. M. Hagler

Abstract Loose shelled kernels (LSK) are a defined grade component of farmers stock peanuts and represented, on the average, 33.3% of the total aflatoxin mass and 7.7% of the kernel mass among the 120 farmers stock peanut lots studied. The functional relationship between aflatoxin in LSK taken from 2-kg test samples and the aflatoxin in farmers stock peanut lots was determined to be linear with zero intercept and a slope of 0.297. The correlation between aflatoxin in LSK and aflatoxin in the lot was 0.844 which suggests that LSK taken from large test samples can be used to estimate the aflatoxin concentration in a farmer's lot. Using only LSK allows large test samples to be used to estimate the lot concentration since LSK can be easily screened from a large test sample. If LSK accounts for 7.7% of the lot kernel mass, a 50-kg sample will yield about 3.9 kg of LSK which can be easily prepared for aflatoxin analysis. Increasing the test sample size from 2 to 50 kg reduced the coefficient of variation associated with estimating a lot with 100 parts per billion (ppb) aflatoxin from 114 to 23%, respectively. As an example, a farmers stock aflatoxin sampling plan with dual tolerances (10 and 100 ppb) that classified lots into three categories was evaluated for two test sample sizes (2 and 50 kg). The effect of increasing test sample size from 2 to 50 kg on the number of lots classified into each of the three categories was demonstrated when measuring aflatoxin only in LSK.


1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 655-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary W Trucksess ◽  
Michael E Stack

Abstract A direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening method for af latoxins at 20 ng/g in corn was studied by 15 collaborating laboratories. Test samples of corn were extracted by blending with methanol-water (8 + 2). The extracts were filtered and the filtrates were diluted with buffer to a final methanol concentration of <30%. Each diluted filtrate was applied to a test device containing a filter with immobilized polyclonal antibodies specific to aflatoxins B1, B2, and G1. Aflatoxin Bi-peroxidase conjugate was added, the test device was washed with water, and a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and tetramethylbenzidine was added. A test sample was judged to contain ≥20 ng af latoxins/g when, after exactly 1 min, no color was observed on the filter; if a blue or gray color developed, the test sample was judged to contain <20 ng aflatoxins/g. All laboratories correctly identified naturally contaminated corn test samples. Only one false positive was found for controls containing no aflatoxins. The correct responses for positive test samples spiked at levels of 10,20, and 30 ng aflatoxins/g (the ratio of B1:B2:G1 was 15:1:3) were 67,97, and 100%, respectively. This method was adopted first action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL as a change in method for 990.34 for screening for aflatoxins B1, B2, and G1 in corn at total aflatoxin concentrations of ≥20 ng/g.


1998 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B Whitaker ◽  
Winston M Hagler ◽  
Francis G Giesbrecht ◽  
Joe w Dorner ◽  
Floyd E Dowell ◽  
...  

Abstract Five, 2 kg test samples were taken from each of 120 farmers' stock peanut lots contaminated with aflatoxin. Kernels from each 2 kg sample were divided into the following grade components: sound mature kernels plus sound splits (SMKSS), other kernels (OK), loose shelled kernels (LSK), and damaged kernels (DAM). Kernel mass, aflatoxin mass, and aflatoxin concentration were measured for each of the 2400 component samples. For 120 lots tested, average aflatoxin concentrations in SMKSS, OK, LSK, and DAM components were 235, 2543, 11 775, and 69 775 ng/g, respectively. Aflatoxins in SMKSS, OK, LSK, and DAM components represented 6.9, 7.9, 33.3, and 51.9% of the total aflatoxin mass, respectively. Cumulatively, 3 aflatoxin risk components—OK, LSK, and DAM—accounted for 93.1% of total aflatoxin, but only 18.4% percent of test sample mass. Correlation analysis suggests that the most accurate predictor of aflatoxin concentration in the lot is the cumulative aflatoxin mass in the high 3 risk corn ponents OK + LSK + DAM (correlation coefficient, r = 0.996). If the aflatoxin in the combined OK + LSK + DAM components is expressed in concentration units, r decreases to 0.939. Linear regression equations relating aflatoxin in OK + LSK + DAM to aflatoxin concentration in the lot were developed. The cumulative aflatoxin in the OK + LSK + DAM components was not an accurate predictor (r = 0.539) of aflatoxin in the SMKSS component. Statistical analyses of 3 other data sets published previously yielded similar results.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1357633X1989388
Author(s):  
Anne-Sophie Boureau ◽  
Helene Masse ◽  
Guillaume Chapelet ◽  
Laure de Decker ◽  
Pascal Chevalet ◽  
...  

Introduction Population-based studies show a significant increase in the prevalence of visual impairment in older patients. However, older patients and patients with lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores have few ophthalmological assessments. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of tele-ophthalmological screening for ophthalmological diseases in older patients referred for cognitive assessment. Methods This monocentric prospective study included patients referred to a memory clinic for cognitive assessment. All patients underwent a geriatric assessment comprising a cognitive assessment associated with tele-ophthalmological screening undertaken by an orthoptist, including undilated retinal photography. The retinal photographs were subsequently sent to an ophthalmologist. We identified patients who were not eligible for ophthalmological assessment, for patients that had to come back due to poor-quality retinal photographs and finally for detected eye diseases. The association between the geriatric variable and newly detected eye diseases was analysed in univariable and multivariable analyses. Results The mean age of the 298 patients included was 83.5 years  ± 5.65; 29.5% were male. The mean MMSE score was 20.8 ± 5.2; 66.3% of patients had a diagnosis of dementia. Eighteen patients (6.0%) were not eligible for ophthalmological examination and 13 patients (4.6%) were asked to come back owing to poor-quality retinal photographs. Forty-one patients (13.7%) had a newly detected eye disease. In multivariable analysis, patients with a lower MMSE had significantly more newly identified eye diseases. Discussion The tele-ophthalmological screening method identified unknown ophthalmological diseases requiring specialised management in this older population with cognitive complaints.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbuba Akter Lubna ◽  
Mita Debnath ◽  
Farzana Hossaini

Current study investigated the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in poultry feed and feed materials in different poultry farms and feed factories in Bangladesh. A total of 100 samples of finished feed and raw feed materials were collected and tested through direct competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for total aflatoxin detection. Overall, 97% samples (n=97/100) in our study, were found positive for aflatoxin contamination. Among finished feed categories, layer grower feed contained highest level of aflatoxin with a mean value of 21.64 ppb whereas layer feed was less susceptible for aflatoxin contamination (mean value 9.49 ppb). Between raw feed materials, maize samples were highly contaminated (n=15/15, 100%) with aflatoxin while 86.67% soybean samples showed positive result. Twenty one percent (21%) of the samples in our study contained aflatoxin concentration more than the acceptable limit employed by USFDA and many other countries which might pose severe health risk to poultry and human consumer. Proper surveillance and immediate control measures should be taken to ensure safe poultry feed and feed materials. Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 35 Number 1 June 2018, pp 75-78


2021 ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Sheenam Bansal ◽  
Nikhil Juneja ◽  
Dharam Singh

Background: Youtube has a become a popular platform for disseminating health-related information. The objectives of this study was to explore the educational quality of youtube videos pertaining to total knee arthroplasty. Material And Methods: Youtube search was done on 12 April 2021 for TKR related videos by using the following search terms total knee replacement, total knee arthroplasty, TKR, knee replacement. Data from 40 most relevant videos were collected. Quality assessment check list with the scale of 0-10 points were developed to evaluate the video content. On the basis of this, videos were grouped into poor quality (grade 0-3), acceptable quality (grade 4-7) and excellent quality (grade 8-10) respectively. Results: 92.5 % of videos were of poor educational quality (37/40), 7.5% were of acceptable quality (3/40) and none of the video were of excellent quality. Common missing information included discussion of operative complications and implant duration. Conclusion: The current study suggests that youtube is a poor education source for patients concerning knee arthroplasty.


1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Whitaker ◽  
J. W. Dorner ◽  
F. E. Dowell ◽  
F. G. Giesbrecht

Abstract Forty farmers stock lots of runner peanuts suspected of containing aflatoxin were identified by the Federal State Inspection Service using the visual Aspergillus flavus method. A 227-kg portion was removed from each of the 40 lots. Each 227-kg portion was screened over a belt screening device with 0.953-cm (24/64 inch) spacing to remove loose shelled kernels, foreign material, and small pods. Each screened portion was divided into ten 9.5-kg samples. Each sample was shelled, all kernels in the sample were comminuted in the Federal State subsampling mill, and the aflatoxin in duplicate 356-g subsamples per sample was extracted and quantified using HPLC methods. The total variability among the 10 aflatoxin test results was determined for each lot. The total variability was partitioned into sampling, subsampling, and analytical variability components for each lot. All variance components were shown to be functions of the aflatoxin concentration. Using regression techniques the functional relationship for each variance components and aflatoxin concentration was developed. The total variance associated with a 9.5-kg sample, 356-g subsample, and HPLC quantification when testing a screened farmers stock lot at 20 ppb is 295.2 and the CV is 89.5%.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazina Juodeikiene ◽  
Darius Cernauskas ◽  
Karolina Trakselyte-Rupsiene ◽  
Elena Bartkiene ◽  
Daiva Zadeike ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTIN W. LIVEZEY ◽  
BETTINA GROSCHEL ◽  
MICHAEL M. BECKER

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and six serovars (O26, O103, O121, O111, O145, and O45) are frequently implicated in severe clinical illness worldwide. Standard testing methods using stx, eae, and O serogroup–specific gene sequences for detecting the top six non-O157 STEC bear the disadvantage that these genes may reside, independently, in different nonpathogenic organisms, leading to false-positive results. The ecf operon has previously been identified in the large enterohemolysin-encoding plasmid of eae-positive Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC). Here, we explored the utility of the ecf operon as a single marker to detect eae-positive STEC from pure broth and primary meat enrichments. Analysis of 501 E. coli isolates demonstrated a strong correlation (99.6%) between the presence of the ecf1 gene and the combined presence of stx, eae, and ehxA genes. Two large studies were carried out to determine the utility of an ecf1 detection assay to detect non-O157 STEC strains in enriched meat samples in comparison to the results using the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) method that detects stx and eae genes. In ground beef samples (n = 1,065), the top six non-O157 STEC were detected in 4.0% of samples by an ecf1 detection assay and in 5.0% of samples by the stx- and eae-based method. In contrast, in beef samples composed largely of trim (n = 1,097), the top six non-O157 STEC were detected at 1.1% by both methods. Estimation of false-positive rates among the top six non-O157 STEC revealed a lower rate using the ecf1 detection method (0.5%) than using the eae and stx screening method (1.1%). Additionally, the ecf1 detection assay detected STEC strains associated with severe illness that are not included in the FSIS regulatory definition of adulterant STEC.


1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas B Whitaker ◽  
Floyd E Dowell ◽  
Winston M Hagler ◽  
Francis G Giesbrecht ◽  
Jeremy Wu

Abstract Forty farmers’ stock lots of runner peanuts suspected of containing aflatoxin were identified by the Federal State Inspection Service by using the visual Aspergillus flavus inspection method. A 900 kg portion was removed from each lot and divided into 50 samples each of 2.27 kg (5 lb), 4.54 kg (10 lb), and 6.81 kg (15 lb) weights. For each sample, foreign material was removed, pods were shelled, and all kernels were comminuted for 7 min in a vertical cutter mixer. A100 g subsample was removed from each comminuted sample for aflatoxin analysis by liquid chromatography (LC). The total variance associated with each sample size was estimated. The total variance was also partitioned into sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variance components. Each variance component was shown to be a function of aflatoxin concentration. By using regression techniques, the relationship between variance and aflatoxin concentration was developed for each variance component. The total, sampling, sample preparation, and analytical variances associated with testing a lot at 100 ppb with a 2.27 kg sample, 100 g subsample, and using LC analytical techniques are 25 378,23 533,1830, and 15, respectively. Sampling, sample preparation, and analysis account for 92.7, 7.2, and 0.1% of the total variability, respectively.


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