Metabolic Pathways and Pathological Outcomes of Aflatoxins: A Review

Aflatoxin is a secondary fungal metabolite that contaminates foods, mostly staple diets like maize, peanuts, chillies, and even rice. These foods are also a major constituent of weaning food for infants in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The fungal metabolite contaminates food during production, harvest, storage, and processing. The contamination is largely promoted by genotypes of crops, soil conditions, temperate regions, and insect activity. Once ingested into the body, aflatoxins get metabolized into different hydroxylated derivatives such as AFb1, AfM1, AFP1, aflatoxicol, and Aflatoxin B1. AFB1 is the most carcinogenic and potent of the known metabolites and they have been categorized as Group I carcinogenic agents by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The toxic metabolites of aflatoxins have been found in blood samples, breast milk and also have been shown to traverse the placental route. Through various metabolic pathways aflatoxins are responsible for different types of pathological outcomes like gut enteropathy, anemia, stunting, and other immunological disorders. Moreover, socioeconomic determinants have indirectly shown to be strong predictors of aflatoxins exposure and thus its related pathological outcomes. Since we have a very limited number of researches about aflatoxins, this review altogether puts forward what is known about the toxin and its harmful metabolites. Keywords: Aflatoxins; aflatoxinB1; carcinogens; fungal toxins.

Bioremediation Trends on Mitigation of As(III), Cr(VI) and Organic Dyes From Aqueous Medium using Plant and Microbial Biomass: An Overview

Arsenic, chromium and organic dyes are the prominent carcinogenic agents, posing a serious health hazard. In current scenario, groundwater as well as surface water mostly contaminated by chemical complexes of As (III), Cr (VI) and organic dyes, these are leading hazardous threat to eco-system. Several mitigation techniques of As (III), Cr (VI) and organic dyes are available but efforts are going on to devise a novel method of removal of these toxicants. This review takes into account all the recent advances in the detoxification of contaminated water exploring removal mechanism by biosorption and bioaccumulation. The possibility of the removal of toxic heavy metals from an aqueous medium by plant and bacterial biomass has been discussed. Now a days, bioaccumulation and biosorption from plants and microbial sources has emerged as simple, effective and eco-friendly techniques for decontamination of these chemical compounds from water resources at very low cost. Many agricultural products and solid wastes have also been found suitable decontaminant of toxic heavy metals and dyes. A wide spectrum of medicinal and aromatic plants as well as aquatic plants available in abundance may also be utilized as potential remover of As (III), Cr (VI) and organic dyes. This article explained mechanism and application on detail aspects of bioremediation technology including conventional techniques with recent development. This review shows the trends and development of mitigation stretagies by bioremediation with latest updates.

Exposures to IARC Carcinogenic Agents in Work Settings Not Traditionally Associated with Sinonasal Cancer Risk: The Experience of the Italian National Sinonasal Cancer Registry

The aim of this study is to highlight tasks and jobs not commonly considered at high risk for sinonasal cancer (SNC) identified by Regional Operating Centers currently active in the Italian National Sinonasal Cancer Registry (ReNaTuNS), which retrieve occupational histories through a standardized questionnaire. Data on exposures to IARC carcinogenic agents in work settings unknown to be associated with SNC risk were collected and analyzed. Out of 2208 SNC cases recorded in the ReNaTuNS database, 216 cases and their worked exposure periods were analyzed. Unsuspected jobs with exposure to wood dust include construction-related tasks, production of resins, agriculture and livestock jobs (straw and sawdust), and heel factory work (cork dust). Other examples are hairdressers, bakers (formaldehyde), dressmakers, technical assistants, wool and artificial fiber spinners, and upholsterers (textile dusts). Moreover, settings with coexposure to different agents (e.g., wood with leather dusts and chromium–nickel compounds) were recognized. The study describes jobs where the existence of carcinogenic agents associated with SNC risk is unexpected or not resulting among primary materials employed. The systematic epidemiological surveillance of all epithelial SNC cases with a detailed collection of their work history, as performed by a dedicated population registry, is essential for detecting all potential occupational cases and should be considered in the context of forensic medicine and the compensation process.

Mitigation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Groundnuts using Trichoderma viride

Groundnuts are often prone to contamination by Microorganisms during pre-harvest or post-harvest storage. One such contaminant is Aspergillus flavus which is abundantly found in soil and air. Several strains of A. flavus are known to produce mycotoxins named as aflatoxins. These aflatoxins are potent carcinogenic agents whose destruction has become a challenging task in the present scenario. Various physical and chemical methods are available to eliminate the growth of Aspergillus flavus but these methods have several demerits. The present study is based on biological control of Aspergillus flavus using Trichoderma viride strain TV 10. Antagonistic studies of Tv 10 against A.flavus were carried out by performing dual culture technique.

War journalism: an occupational exposure

Apart from the risk of accidents, war theatres present a hazard related to numerous long-lasting toxic agents. For 10 years, a >60-year-old male journalist worked in war theatres in the Far and Near East where he was exposed to asbestos and other toxic substances (metals, silica, clays, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other organic substances) contained in dust and smoke of destroyed buildings. More than 15 years later, he developed a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the soft palate and, subsequently, a pleural malignant mesothelioma. The safety of war journalists should focus not only on preventing the risk of being killed, but also on providing protection from toxic and carcinogenic agents. Exposure to substances released during the destruction of buildings can also pose a carcinogenic risk for survivors.

Steroid Hormone Exposure as a Potential Hazard in Milk Consumers: A Significant Health Challenge in Iran

The presence of steroid hormones in milk is inevitable, and they can be considered as potential carcinogenic agents for consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and hydroxyprogesterone in sixty-nine bovine milk samples, collected from April to September 2020, in Hamadan, Iran. The milk samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, the mean contents of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and hydroxyprogesterone in the milk samples were determined to be 330.5 ± 190.2 pg/ml, 3.57 ± 2.47 ng/ml, and 1.54 ± 0.41 ng/ml, respectively. However, the content of these steroid hormones in milk samples could be considered safe in children and adults, if the milk consumption is assumed to be in the reported range (175–240 ml/daily). Due to the effects of steroid hormones, especially 17β-estradiol, in the etiology of various cancers, regular monitoring of these hormones is recommended in milk and its dairy products in Iran.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Particleboard: Investigation of the Environmental Parameters

Particleboard is not entirely a wood replacement but a particular material with its properties, making it more effective at different times than heavy or solid wood. The world’s biggest concern is environmental problems with formaldehyde as a particulate board binder that can lead to human carcinogenic agents. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of particleboard production was performed using openLCA software. The impact assessment was carried out according to the software’s features. This preliminary investigation aims to analyze the chemical composition of particleboard and identify its environmental impact. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) system was used to track the functional group of aliphatic hydrocarbons, inorganic phosphates, and main aliphatic alcohols found in particleboards made in Malaysia. Based on the FTIR results, aliphatic groups were found in numerous aggravates that the spectroscopic infrared was likely to experience. The most important vibrational modes were C–H, at approximately 3000 cm−1, and –CH deformations around 1460 cm−1 and 1380 cm−1. Eight effect groups demonstrated that 100% of the input and all analyses produced the same relative outcome. The life cycle of a product is determined by pollution of the air, water, and soil. Thus, particleboard has a minimal impact on the environment, except for global warming.

STUDY OF FOOD ADDITIVES COMPOSITION IN COMMERCIALLY PROCESSED BEEF PRODUCTS

Beef is one of the favorite red meats containing various essential nutrients. In the processed beef products, food additives are used for multiple purposes including preservation, moisture and texture re-tention, improvement of flavor and stability of color. The purpose of this study is to identify the food additives composition of halal and local-based commercially processed beef products based on the label of the products and the Indonesian regulations. There were 40 various commercially processed beef pro-ducts assessed in this study. The food additives that were observed were flavor enhancers, preservatives, stabilizers, antioxidants, acidity regulators, and colorants. The types of food additives used in beef sausage products were stabilizers (30.00%), preservatives (25.56%), flavor enhancers (15.56%), colorants (14.44%), antioxidants (13.33%) and acidity regulator (1.11%). In beef balls products there were stabilizers (50.00%), flavor enhancers (20.00%), preservatives (15.00%), antioxidants, acidity regulators and co-lorants (5.00% each). The additives in beef burgers products include stabilizers (29.73%), preservatives (24.32%), colorants (21.62%), flavor enhancers (13.51%), antioxidants and acidity regulators (5.41% each). Corned beef products contain preservatives (32.00%), flavor enhancers and antioxidants (24.00% each), and stabilizers (20.00%). Additionally, smoked beef products use preservatives (50.00%), stabilizers (37.50%) and antioxidants (12.50%). The only food additives used in beef floss products was flavor enhancer (100%). The study suggests that Government Regulations on food additives should be reconsidered. Although the additives are still allowed in Indonesian regulations at the present, food additives of which are included in the list of carcinogenic agents shall be limited or even avoided. Future research to find safer alternatives for those food additives is recommended.

The association of three DNA repair genes polymorphisms on the frequency of chromosomal alterations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Purpose Gas station workers (GSWs) are exposed to carcinogenic agents. The aim was to study the association of high somatic chromosome alterations (CAs) rates in the blood of GSWs and the polymorphisms of three genes playing a role in DNA double-strand break repair. Methods This is a cross-sectional study with 114 GSWs and 115 age-matched controls. Cytogenetic analyses, blood exams, medical interviews and genotypes for RAD51/G135C (rs1801320), ATM/P1054R (rs1800057) and CHEK2/T470C (rs17879961) genes were performed. Results The CA rate in GSWs was 9.8 CAs/1000 metaphases, and 19.1% of the workers had > 10 CAs per 1000 metaphases (group two). GSWs had decreased levels of monocytes (P = 0.024) in their blood exams. The number of variant alleles of the RAD51/G135C polymorphism was higher in GSWs (P = 0.011) compared to the controls, and were associated with enhanced number of CAs per worker (P = 0.008). No allele variant was found for CHEK2/T470C in this study. Conclusion The RAD51/G135C polymorphism appears to be related to genome instability in gas station workers. Increasing the knowledge of DNA repair gene variations involved in maintaining genomic stability in GSWs may be crucial for future cancer prevention.

Type and Potential Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Coastal Area of Tarakan City, North Borneo, Indonesia

PAHs are mutagenic and carcinogenic agents that influence the coastal water of Tarakan City. This study aims to determine the concentration, type, and distribution of PAHs in waters and sediments of rivers, seawater, and brackish ponds, and their potential sources. Fourteen samples of water and sediment from selected stations obtained 14 types of PAHs priority (USEPA). Analysis using GC-MS Type Thermo Trace 1310 single quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, using Coulum melting silica column (coulumn fused silica) DB5 MS with a length of 30 m, a diameter of 0.32 mm inline. The concentration in sediments at river locations ranges from 0.72-352.84, between 1.23-606.74 in the sea, and brackish ponds 0.08-2858.88 ng.g-1. On the waters ranged from 42.46-160.25 µg.L-1, in the sea 7.95-167.55 µg.L-1 and ponds 7.63-151.60 µg.L-1. The concentration level in rivers and seas is small and in the ponds is small-very high. The concentration on water at the river site was observed to increase from upstream to downstream. Meanwhile in sediment was higher in the upstream decreased towards the middle of river and increased in downstream/estuary area. The concentration in the Tarakan coastal environment signifies the potential hazards to the environment. Components Nap, Fla, Pyr, Chr, and BaP are types that are often identified. Furthermore, two, four and five rings of PAHs were shown to dominate in water and sediment, with the major rings present in both river and brackish pond. The PAHs were both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources from land base sources that were possibly derived from the Pamusian river.