Human health implications from co-exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in maize-based foods in Latin America: Guatemala as a case study

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Torres ◽  
J. Matute ◽  
J. Gelineau-van Waes ◽  
J.R. Maddox ◽  
S.G. Gregory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Central America ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Alkaline Treatment ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Ceramide Synthases ◽  
Aflatoxin B ◽  
Maize Kernels

Co-occurrence of fumonisin B1(FB1) and aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in maize has been demonstrated in many surveys. Combined-exposure to FB1and AFB1was of concern to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives because of the known genotoxicity of AFB1and the ability of FB1to induce regenerative proliferation in target tissues. Humans living where maize is a dietary staple are at high risk for exposure to both mycotoxins. Our work has focused on Guatemala, a country in Central America where maize is consumed in large amounts every day and where intake of FB1has been shown to be potentially quite high using biomarker-based studies. In 2012 a survey was conducted which analysed maize samples for FB1and AFB1from all 22 departments of Guatemala. The results show that the levels of AFB1exposure are also potentially quite high in Guatemala, and likely throughout Central America and Mexico. The implications of co-exposure for human health are numerous, but one area of particular concern is the potential of FB1to modulate AFB1hepatoxicity and/or hepatocarcinogenicity. Both the mechanism of action of FB1and its ability to promote liver carcinogenicity in rats and rainbow trout is consistent with this concern. In farm and laboratory animals FB1inhibits ceramide synthases, key enzymes in de novo ceramide biosynthesis. The inhibition of sphingolipid signalling pathways mediating programmed cell death and activation of pathways stimulating cell proliferation in livers of individuals exposed to AFB1could contribute to the tumorigenicity of AFB1. Studies investigating the health effects of either toxin should consider the potential for co-exposure to both toxins. Also, in countries where maize-based food are prepared by alkaline treatment of the maize kernels, the effect of traditional processing on AFB1levels and toxicity needs to be determined, especially for maize highly contaminated with AFB1.

scholarly journals Fusarium mycotoxins and human health

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Shephard
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemical ◽  
Toxicological Effects ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Daily Intakes

Fusariummycotoxins and human healthSpecies within the genusFusariumproduce a diverse range of mycotoxins, many of which have significant impacts on human health. Of the five generally recognised major mycotoxins, three (fumonisins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON)) are produced by Fusaria. Apart from DON, other trichothecenes such as T-2 toxin, have received considerable international attention due to their impact on human health. The fumonisins, which occur ubiquitously in maize and its products, have been linked to oesophageal cancer, liver cancer and neural tube defects. DON, a frequent contaminant of maize, wheat and their products, although showing no carcinogenic potential, is immunomodulatory and produces emesis and growth retardation in animals. ZON is a naturally occurring endocrine disrupting chemical. Acute exposure to these mycotoxins has in each case been linked to outbreaks of human disease - gastro-intestinal effects in the case of fumonisins and DON, and precocious pubertal changes in the case of ZON. Concern over their toxicological effects has led to risk assessments by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which has set maximum tolerable daily intakes (TDI) of 2 μg/ kg body weight (bw) for fumonisins and 0.5 μg/kg bw for ZON. The initial TDI set for DON, namely 1 μg/kg bw has recently been updated by JECFA to include both 3 - and 15-acetylDON. Apart from the above mycotoxins, a number of other secondary metabolites (moniliformin, beauvericin and fusaproliferin) are produced by different Fusaria and their effects on human health, either alone or in combination with other mycotoxins, is largely unexplored.

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTION OF FOOD ADDITIVES, OBTAINED FROM GRAPE POMACE

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Н.Н. КОРНЕН ◽  
С.А. КАЛМАНОВИЧ ◽  
Т.А. ШАХРАЙ ◽  
В.И. МАРТОВЩУК ◽  
Е.В. КУЗЬМИНОВА ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Evaluation ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Food Additive ◽  
Grape Pomace ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Diene Conjugates ◽  
Grape Varieties ◽  
Alanine Aminotransferase Activity

Проведена сравнительная оценка эффективности антиоксидантного и гепатопротекторного действия пищевых добавок, полученных из выжимки винограда белых сортов по различным технологиям, в экспериментах на лабораторных животных. Установлено, что пищевая добавка «Порошок виноградный» (ПВ), полученная из выжимки винограда белых сортов по разработанной технологии, позволяет, по сравнению с контрольным образцом пищевой добавки, в большей степени снизить в сыворотке крови содержание продуктов перекисного окисления липидов – малонового диальдегида, диеновых коньюгатов и кетодиенов, что свидетельствует о более высокой эффективности антиоксидантного действия ПВ на организм животных, обусловленной большим содержанием микронутриентов с антиоксидантными свойствами. Добавка ПВ проявляет более высокую эффективность гепатопротекторного действия, заключающуюся в значительном снижении уровня активности аланинаминотрансферазы в сыворотке крови, по сравнению с контрольным образцом добавки. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of food additives which obtained from grape pomace white varieties for various technologies, was carried out in experiments on laboratory animals. It is established that the food additive “Grape Powder” (GP), obtained from the pomace of white grape varieties by the developed technology, allows, in comparison with the control sample of the food additive, to reduce the content of lipid peroxidation products in the serum to a greater extent – Malon dialdehyde, diene conjugates and ketodienes, which indicates a higher efficiency of antioxidant action of GP on the organism of animals, due to the high content of micronutrients with antioxidant properties. The additive GP shows a higher efficiency of hepatoprotective action, which consists in a significant reduction in the level of alanine aminotransferase activity in the blood serum, compared to the control sample of the additive.

scholarly journals Characterization and Lifetime Dietary Risk Assessment of Eighteen Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid N-Oxides in New Zealand Honey

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 843
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Pearson ◽  
Jeane E. F. Nicolas ◽  
Jane E. Lancaster ◽  
C. Wymond Symes
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Average Lifetime ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Dietary Risk

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a large group of botanical toxins of concern, as they are considered genotoxic carcinogens, with long-term dietary exposure presenting an elevated risk of liver cancer. PAs can contaminate honey through honeybees visiting the flowers of PA-containing plant species. A program of monitoring New Zealand honey has been undertaken over several years to build a comprehensive dataset on the concentration, regional and seasonal distribution, and botanical origin of 18 PAs and PA N-oxides. A bespoke probabilistic exposure model has then been used to assess the averaged lifetime dietary risk to honey consumers, with exposures at each percentile of the model characterized for risk using a margin of exposure from the Joint World Health Organization and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Benchmark Dose. Survey findings identify the typical PA types for New Zealand honey as lycopsamine, echimidine, retrorsine and senecionine. Regional and seasonal variation is evident in the types and levels of total PAs, linked to the ranges and flowering times of certain plants. Over a lifetime basis, the average exposure an individual will receive through honey consumption is considered within tolerable levels, although there are uncertainties over high and brand-loyal consumers, and other dietary contributors. An average lifetime risk to the general population from PAs in honey is not expected. However, given the uncertainties in the assessment, risk management approaches to limit or reduce exposures through honey are still of value.

Total Mercury and Methylmercury Content in Edible Fish from the Mediterranean Sea

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. STORELLI ◽  
R. GIACOMINELLI STUFFLER ◽  
A. STORELLI ◽  
G. O. MARCOTRIGIANO
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
World Health ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Blue Whiting ◽  
Commission Decision ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mediterranean

The objective of this study was to determine the current levels of total mercury and methyl mercury in the muscle tissues of different fish species caught in the Mediterranean Sea to ascertain whether these concentrations exceed the maximum level stipulated by the European Commission Decision. Total mercury concentrations in the muscles of skates ranged from 0.18 to 1.85 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 1.00 mg/kg) while levels of 0.11 to 1.92 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 0.70 mg/kg) and 0.21 to 1.74 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 0.70 mg/kg) were recorded for blue whiting and red mullet, respectively. For 66.7% of long nose skate samples, 61.4% of thornback ray samples, 42.8% of winter skate samples, and 38% of starry ray samples, the total mercury concentrations exceeded the prescribed legal limit (1.0 mg/kg [wet weight]). Concentrations exceeding the maximum total mercury level stipulated by the European Commission Decision (0.5 mg/kg [wet weight]) were observed in 63.6 and 40% of blue whiting and striped mullet samples, respectively. Mercury was present in the different species almost completely in the methylated form at 55 to 100%. Weekly intakes were estimated and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.

scholarly journals Ceramide synthases at the centre of sphingolipid metabolism and biology

2012 ◽  
Vol 441 (3) ◽  
pp. 789-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Mullen ◽  
Yusuf A. Hannun ◽  
Lina M. Obeid
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Acyl Chain ◽  
Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽  
Sphingoid Base ◽  
Salvage Pathway ◽  
Organismal Biology ◽  
Acyl Chain Length ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Ceramide Synthases

Sphingolipid metabolism in metazoan cells consists of a complex interconnected web of numerous enzymes, metabolites and modes of regulation. At the centre of sphingolipid metabolism reside CerSs (ceramide synthases), a group of enzymes that catalyse the formation of ceramides from sphingoid base and acyl-CoA substrates. From a metabolic perspective, these enzymes occupy a unique niche in that they simultaneously regulate de novo sphingolipid synthesis and the recycling of free sphingosine produced from the degradation of pre-formed sphingolipids (salvage pathway). Six mammalian CerSs (CerS1–CerS6) have been identified. Unique characteristics have been described for each of these enzymes, but perhaps the most notable is the ability of individual CerS isoforms to produce ceramides with characteristic acyl-chain distributions. Through this control of acyl-chain length and perhaps in a compartment-specific manner, CerSs appear to regulate multiple aspects of sphingolipid-mediated cell and organismal biology. In the present review, we discuss the function of CerSs as critical regulators of sphingolipid metabolism, highlight their unique characteristics and explore the emerging roles of CerSs in regulating programmed cell death, cancer and many other aspects of biology.

Contents and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Marine Invertebrates from Korean Coastal Fish Markets

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 1022-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONG SOO MOK ◽  
JI YOUNG KWON ◽  
KWANG TAE SON ◽  
WOO SEOK CHOI ◽  
SUNG RIM KANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Marine Invertebrate ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Consumer Safety

The concentrations of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium, silver, nickel, copper, and zinc in the edible portions of 105 marine invertebrates representing 16 mollusk and crustacean species were accurately determined to evaluate their hazard for human consumption. The samples were collected in 2011 from major fish markets on the coast of Korea and analyzed for Hg using a direct Hg analyzer and for other metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Estimated dietary exposure (EDE) was determined, and a risk assessment was made of the heavy metals to provide information concerning consumer safety. The Cd concentrations, which were the highest for the three hazardous metals (Cd, Hg, and Pb), were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the bivalves and crabs than in the gastropods and cephalopods. However, the concentrations of these metals in all samples were within the regulatory limits set by Korea and other countries. The EDE was compared with the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) adopted by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EDE of Cd, Hg, and Pb for each class of marine invertebrate were 0.07 to 2.64, 0.01 to 0.43, and 0.001 to 0.16% of the PTDI, respectively. The total EDE of Cd, Hg, and Pb for marine invertebrates accounted for 4.03, 0.96, and 0.21%, respectively, of the PTDI. The EDE of other metals in each class of marine invertebrate was less than 2% of the PTDI. The hazard index is a reasonable parameter for assessing the risk of heavy metal consumption associated with contaminated food. In the present study, the hazard index for all of the species was less than 1.0, which indicates that the intake of heavy metals from consumption of these marine invertebrates does not represent an appreciable hazard to humans.

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