Mycotoxins in Animal Feed and Animal-Derived Food: Analytical Approach and Toxicology

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Mycotoxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 12668

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: mycotoxin; analytical technique; feed quality and safety; risk assessment

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Guest Editor
Milk Research Team, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: risk assessment; functional components in milk
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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Interests: deoxynivalenol-induced gastrointestinal toxicity; biodegradation of deoxynivalenol

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mycotoxin contamination in animal feed reduces the feed’s nutritional value, affects animal productivity, and can cause animals’ death. Moreover, the carry-over of mycotoxin from animal feed to animal-derived food can pose potential hazards to human health. Thus, it is of great significance to develop detection technology to monitor mycotoxin contamination in animal feed and food, and to clarify the toxicological effects and mechanisms of mycotoxins in animals and humans. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the analytical approaches and toxicology of mycotoxins, including but not limited to the following research topics: novel immunoassays, biosensors, instrumental analytical methods for mycotoxins in animal feed and food; the level or prevalence of mycotoxins in animal feed and food; the toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME)) of mycotoxins in domestic animals; and the toxicological effects and potential mechanisms of mycotoxins on domestic and model animals. As mycotoxins generally co-contaminate in animal feed, and masked mycotoxins account for a large part of mycotoxin contamination, research works about the multiplex analytical approaches, the toxicokinetics of masked mycotoxins, and the combined toxicological effect and mechanism of co-contaminated mycotoxins are especially welcomed in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Yiqiang Chen
Prof. Dr. Nan Zheng
Dr. Shuai Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mycotoxin
  • feed
  • animal-derived food
  • analytical approach
  • toxicological effect
  • toxicokinetics
  • toxicological mechanism

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 7971 KiB  
Article
Investigation on Fermentation Characteristics and Microbial Communities of Wheat Straw Silage with Different Proportion Artemisia argyi
by Zhenyu Wang, Zhongfang Tan, Guofang Wu, Lei Wang, Guangyong Qin, Yanping Wang and Huili Pang
Toxins 2023, 15(5), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15050330 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1365
Abstract
Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites of fungi, are a major obstacle to the utilization of animal feed for various reasons. Wheat straw (WS) is hollow, and miscellaneous bacteria can easy attach to its surface; the secondary fermentation frequency after silage is high, and there is [...] Read more.
Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites of fungi, are a major obstacle to the utilization of animal feed for various reasons. Wheat straw (WS) is hollow, and miscellaneous bacteria can easy attach to its surface; the secondary fermentation frequency after silage is high, and there is a risk of mycotoxin poisoning. In this study, a storage fermentation process was used to preserve and enhance fermentation quality in WS through the addition of Artemisia argyi (AA), which is an effective method to use WS resources and enhance aerobic stability. The storage fermentation of WS treated with AA had lower pH and mycotoxin (AFB1 and DON) values than the control due to rapid changes in microbial counts, especially in the 60% AA groups. Meanwhile, the addition of 60% AA improved anaerobic fermentation profiles, showing higher lactic acid contents, leading to increased efficiency of lactic acid fermentation. A background microbial dynamic study indicated that the addition of 60% AA improved the fermentation and aerobic exposure processes, decreased microbial richness, enriched Lactobacillus abundance, and reduced Enterobacter and Aspergillus abundances. In conclusion, 60% AA treatment could improve the quality by increase fermentation quality and improve the aerobic stability of WS silage by enhancing the dominance of desirable Lactobacillus, inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms, especially fungi, and reducing the content of mycotoxins. Full article
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16 pages, 2001 KiB  
Article
Production of Aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus parasiticus Grown on a Novel Meat-Based Media
by Iva Zahija, Barbka Jeršek, Lea Demšar, Mateja Lušnic Polak and Tomaž Polak
Toxins 2023, 15(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15010025 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1573
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to develop meat-based media with compositions similar to those of dry-fermented meat products and to evaluate their use in studying the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and the kinetics of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. In our previous [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to develop meat-based media with compositions similar to those of dry-fermented meat products and to evaluate their use in studying the growth of Aspergillus parasiticus and the kinetics of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. In our previous experiments, we found that the strain A. parasiticus ŽMJ7 produced a high amount of AFB1. Cooked meat agar (CMA2) was used as a novel complex meat-based medium with four variations: CMA2G (CMA2 supplemented with 1% glucose), CMA2YE (CMA2 supplemented with 0.2% yeast extract), and CMA2GYE (CMA2 supplemented with 1% glucose and 0.2% yeast extract). Media were inoculated with an A. parasiticus spore suspension (105 spores/mL) and incubated at 25 °C for up to 15 days. The A. parasiticus lag phase lasted less than 1 day, irrespective of the growth medium, with the exception of control medium CMA1 (cooked meat agar) as an already known meat-based medium. The highest mean colony growth rate was observed on CMA2 and CMA2G. Reversed-phase UPLC–MS/MS analysis was performed to determine the AFB1 concentration in combination with solid phase extraction (SPE). The highest AFB1 concentration in meat-based media was detected in CMA2GYE after 15 days of incubation (13,502 ± 2367 ng/mL media). The results showed that for studying AFB1 production in dry-fermented meat products, novel suitable media such as CMA2-based media are required. This finding could represent a potential concern with regard to the production of dry-fermented meat products. Full article
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10 pages, 569 KiB  
Communication
Occurrence of Aflatoxin M1 in Cow, Goat, Buffalo, Camel, and Yak Milk in China in 2016
by Nan Zheng, Li Min, Dagang Li, Sheng Tan, Yanan Gao and Jiaqi Wang
Toxins 2022, 14(12), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14120870 - 10 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1473
Abstract
In this present study, 195 cow milk, 100 goat milk, 50 buffalo milk, 50 camel milk, and 50 yak milk samples were collected in China in May and October 2016. The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. [...] Read more.
In this present study, 195 cow milk, 100 goat milk, 50 buffalo milk, 50 camel milk, and 50 yak milk samples were collected in China in May and October 2016. The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. For all cow milk samples, 128 samples (65.7%) contained AFM1 in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.191 µg/L, and 6 samples (3.1%) from Sichuan province in October were contaminated with AFM1 above 0.05 µg/L (EU limit). For all goat milk samples, 76.0% of samples contained AFM1 in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.135 µg/L, and 9 samples (9.0%) from Shanxi province in October were contaminated with AFM1 above 0.05 µg/L. For all buffalo milk samples, 24 samples (48.0%) contained AFM1 in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.089 µg/L, and 2 samples collected in October were contaminated with AFM1 above 0.05 µg/L. Furthermore, 28.0% of samples contained AFM1 in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.007 µg/L in camel milk samples, and 18.0% of samples contained AFM1 in concentrations ranging from 0.005 to 0.007 µg/L in yak milk samples. Our survey study has expanded the current knowledge of the occurrence of AFM1 in milk from five dairy species in China, in particular the minor dairy species. Full article
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15 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Integrated Transcriptome Analysis Reveals mRNA–miRNA Pathway Crosstalk in Roman Laying Hens’ Immune Organs Induced by AFB1
by Zhongxian Xu, Qian Liu, Xueqin Liu, Maosen Yang, Yuan Su, Tao Wang, Diyan Li and Feng Li
Toxins 2022, 14(11), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14110808 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1512
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely distributed contaminant in moldy corn, rice, soybean, and oil crops. Many studies have revealed its adverse effects, such as carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity, on the health of humans and animals. To investigate the immunotoxic effects on chicken [...] Read more.
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely distributed contaminant in moldy corn, rice, soybean, and oil crops. Many studies have revealed its adverse effects, such as carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity, on the health of humans and animals. To investigate the immunotoxic effects on chicken immune organs induced by AFB1, we integrated RNA and small-RNA sequencing data of the spleen and the bursa of Fabricius to elucidate the response of the differentially expressed transcriptional profiles and related pathways. AFB1 consumption negatively influenced egg quality, but no obvious organ damage was observed compared to that of the control group. We identified 3918 upregulated and 2415 downregulated genes in the spleen and 231 upregulated and 65 downregulated genes in the bursa of Fabricius. We confirmed that several core genes related to immune and metabolic pathways were activated by AFB1. Furthermore, 42 and 19 differentially expressed miRNAs were found in the spleen and the bursa of Fabricius, respectively. Differentially expressed genes and target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly associated with cancer progression and immune response. The predicted mRNA–miRNA pathway network illustrated the potential regulatory mechanisms. The present study identified the transcriptional profiles and revealed potential mRNA–miRNA pathway crosstalk. This genetic regulatory network will facilitate the understanding of the immunotoxicity mechanisms of chicken immune organs induced by high concentrations of AFB1. Full article
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16 pages, 1379 KiB  
Article
Determination of Zearalenone and Its Derivatives in Feed by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry with Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup and Isotope Dilution
by Sunlin Luo, Ying Liu, Qi Guo, Xiong Wang, Ying Tian, Wenjun Yang, Juntao Li and Yiqiang Chen
Toxins 2022, 14(11), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14110764 - 04 Nov 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1644
Abstract
In this study, a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was established for the determination of zearalenone and its five derivatives in feed, including zearalanone, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, α-zearalenol, and β-zearalenol. An effective immunoaffinity column was prepared for sample purification, which was followed by the [...] Read more.
In this study, a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was established for the determination of zearalenone and its five derivatives in feed, including zearalanone, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, α-zearalenol, and β-zearalenol. An effective immunoaffinity column was prepared for sample purification, which was followed by the silane derivatization of the eluate after an immunoaffinity chromatography analysis for target compounds by GC-MS. Matrix effects were corrected by an isotope internal standard of zearalenone in this method. The six analytes had a good linear relationship in the range of 2–500 ng/mL, and the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were less than 1.5 μg/kg and 5.0 μg/kg, respectively. The average spike recoveries for the six feed matrices ranged from 89.6% to 112.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 12.6%. Twenty actual feed samples were analyzed using the established method, and at least one target was detected. The established GC-MS method was proven to be reliable and suitable for the determination of zearalenone and its derivatives in feed. Full article
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16 pages, 1575 KiB  
Article
Immunoaffinity Cleanup and Isotope Dilution-Based Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Six Major Mycotoxins in Feed and Feedstuff
by Ying Liu, Yongpeng Jin, Qi Guo, Xiong Wang, Sunlin Luo, Wenjun Yang, Juntao Li and Yiqiang Chen
Toxins 2022, 14(9), 631; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14090631 - 11 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1664
Abstract
In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin and fumonisin B1 in feed and feedstuff was established. The sample was extracted with an acetonitrile–water mixture (60:40, [...] Read more.
In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, aflatoxin B1, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin and fumonisin B1 in feed and feedstuff was established. The sample was extracted with an acetonitrile–water mixture (60:40, v/v), purified by an immunoaffinity column, eluted with a methanol–acetic acid mixture (98:2, v/v), and reconstituted with a methanol–water mixture (50:50, v/v) after drying with nitrogen. Finally, the reconstituted solution was detected by LC-MS/MS and quantified by isotope internal standard method. The six mycotoxins had a good linear relationship in a certain concentration range, the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.99, the limits of detection were between 0.075 and 1.5 µg·kg−1, and the limits of quantification were between 0.5 and 5 µg·kg−1. The average spike recoveries in the four feed matrices ranged from 84.2% to 117.1% with relative standard deviations less than 11.6%. Thirty-six actual feed samples were analyzed for mycotoxins, and at least one mycotoxin was detected in each sample. The proposed method is reliable and suitable for detecting common mycotoxins in feed samples. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 1805 KiB  
Review
Prevalence and Concentration of Mycotoxins in Animal Feed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Ghader Jalilzadeh-Amin, Bahram Dalir-Naghadeh, Masoud Ahmadnejad-Asl-Gavgani, Aziz A. Fallah and Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
Toxins 2023, 15(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15030214 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2461
Abstract
This study seeks a comprehensive meta-analysis of mycotoxin contaminants in animal feed consumed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The obtained articles were reviewed, and 49 articles that investigated the contamination of mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), [...] Read more.
This study seeks a comprehensive meta-analysis of mycotoxin contaminants in animal feed consumed in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The obtained articles were reviewed, and 49 articles that investigated the contamination of mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin, fumonisins (FUM), and ochratoxin A (OTA), in feed samples or components of animal feed in the MENA region were selected. The titles of the final articles included in the study were meta-analyzed. Necessary information was extracted and categorized from the articles, and a meta-analysis was performed using Stata software. The highest contamination was in dry bread (80%), and Algeria was the most contaminated country (87% of animal feed), with the most mycotoxins contaminating AFs (47%) and FUM (47%). The highest concentration of mycotoxins in animal feed is related to FUM (1240.01 μg/kg). Climate change, economic situation, agricultural and processing methods, the nature of the animal feed, and improper use of food waste in animal feed are among the most critical factors that are effective in the occurrence of mycotoxin contamination in animal feed in MENA. Control of influential factors in the occurrence of contaminations and rapid screening with accurate identification methods to prevent the occurrence and spread of mycotoxin contamination of animal feed seem important. Full article
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