Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Izco, Ariane Vettorazzi, Maria de Toro, Yolanda Saenz, Lydia Alvarez-Erviti
Summary: The study showed that sub-chronic exposure to low doses of OTA significantly altered the structure and diversity of the gut microbiome in mice, with even more pronounced effects than in the high-dose OTA group.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gisela H. Degen, Joerg Reinders, Martin Kraft, Wolfgang Voelkel, Felicia Gerull, Rafael Burghardt, Silvia Sievering, Jennifer Engelmann, Yvonni Chovolou, Jan G. Hengstler, Hermann Fromme
Summary: This study investigated the exposure of German residents to the mycotoxin citrinin. The results showed evidence of significant exposure, particularly in children. Further biomonitoring studies and investigations into the major sources of citrinin exposure in food commodities are needed.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dritan Topi, Jeton Spahiu, Agim Rexhepi, Nue Marku
Summary: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination was found to be widespread in milk samples from retail markets in Albania, with higher contamination in pasteurized milk compared to UHT milk. Although the average concentration was low, some samples exceeded the European Union permitted level. AFM1 contamination was higher in milk samples from 2019 compared to 2020, with no significant seasonal difference. The Average Daily Dose (ADD) for adults remained consistent throughout the study period.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arnau Vidal, Lidia Belova, Christophe Stove, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger
Summary: Biomonitoring of mycotoxin exposure using VAMS is effective and practical, with validation results meeting international standards. VAMS can be a viable alternative to traditional venous sampling for assessing multiple mycotoxin exposure.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mariane Pourchet, Luca Narduzzi, Annabelle Jean, Ingrid Guiffard, Emmanuelle Bichon, Ronan Cariou, Yann Guitton, Sebastien Hutinet, Jelle Vlaanderen, Jeroen Meijer, Bruno Le Bizec, Jean-Philippe Antignac
Summary: The study developed a non-targeted workflow from sample preparation to data processing and method assessment to characterize human internal chemical exposure at early life stage. The method focused on investigating known organic contaminants in human milk and extending to unknown compounds. It was based on simple and fast sample preparation followed by a comprehensive analysis using liquid and gas phase chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry, with the identification of biomarkers of exposure possible through homemade bioinformatics tools.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Beatriz Arce-Lopez, Elena Lizarraga, Reyes Lopez de Mesa, Elena Gonzalez-Penas
Summary: This study focused on the levels of mycotoxins in plasma samples from healthy and sick children in Spain, revealing the prevalence of OTA and STER in all children, with potential differences in OTA metabolism pathways leading to variations in OTA levels.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanjie Lin, Chao Feng, Sunyang Le, Xinlei Qiu, Qian Xu, Shuping Jin, Yamin Fang, Yu'e Jin, Yimin Wen, Guoquan Wang, Dasheng Lu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the exposure of breast-fed infants in Shanghai to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The results showed that the distribution pattern of POPs in human milk differed from that in infant hair, but they had stable concentration ratios and similar distribution patterns between internal and external hair samples. Infant hair can be an ideal biomatrix for estimating exposure to POPs from exogenous sources like house dust.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Raphael Dekant, Michael Langer, Maria Lupp, Cynthia Adaku Chilaka, Angela Mally
Summary: The study found that OTA-derived glucuronides in urine are suitable biomarkers for monitoring, but there is insufficient evidence to support the use of OTA-derived mercapturic acids as biomarkers. There is a linear relationship between urinary glucuronide excretion and OTA exposure, but more data is needed to establish this relationship between metabolites in urine and external dose.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sofia Duarte, Liliana J. G. Silva, Andre M. P. T. Pereira, Marta Gimbi, Cristiane Cesar, Vanessa Vidal, Rita Basilio, Anabela Almeida, Celeste Lino, Angelina Pena
Summary: This pilot survey assessed the exposure of breastfed infants to mycotoxins in Angola and found that all breast milk samples analyzed were contaminated with mycotoxins. The contamination levels were lower for aflatoxin M1 and higher for ochratoxin A compared to previous studies. The study also identified a significant association between the consumption of cookies by lactating mothers and the levels of mycotoxin in breast milk.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara De Santis, Francesca Debegnach, Piero Toscano, Alfonso Crisci, Paola Battilani, Carlo Brera
Summary: This study revealed the exposure scenario to mycotoxins of adult population throughout Europe, with a concern for public health about AFM1, FBs, T2/HT2, and NIV. OTA and DON were prevalent in Northern countries, while ZEN was higher in Southern countries.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Claudia Foerster, Gisela Rios-Gajardo, Patricia Gomez, Katherine Munoz, Sandra Cortes, Carlos Maldonado, Catterina Ferreccio
Summary: The study found that exposure to DON was most common in participants' urine, followed by AFB1 and ZEN. Consuming coffee and pepper was closely related to the presence of DON and total ZEL in urine, while drinking habits were associated with DON. Furthermore, correlations were observed between DON and nuts, total ZEL and cereals, as well as aflatoxins and capsicum powder and walnuts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanrui Qing, Xueting Huo, Shimeng Huang, Lihong Zhao, Jianyun Zhang, Cheng Ji, Qiugang Ma
Summary: The study demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis ANSB168 could degrade OTA and its bioproduct could alleviate damages induced by OTA in laying hens, including reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Negisa Seyed Toutounchi, Saskia Braber, Astrid Hogenkamp, Soheil Varasteh, Yang Cai, Tjalling Wehkamp, Sebastian Tims, Thea Leusink-Muis, Ingrid van Ark, Selma Wiertsema, Bernd Stahl, Aletta D. Kraneveld, Johan Garssen, Gert Folkerts, Belinda van't Land
Summary: Dietary intervention with specific mixtures of trans-galactosyl-oligosaccharides (TOS) can attenuate the adverse effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on immune responses and gut homeostasis. The use of TOS improved immune responses, restored immune cell balance, and increased SCFA concentrations in the gut.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Insaf Riahi, Antonio J. Ramos, Jog Raj, Zdenka Jakovcevic, Hunor Farkas, Marko Vasiljevic, Anna Maria Perez-Vendrell
Summary: The contamination of animal feed with mycotoxins is a global concern, leading to adverse effects on productivity and animal health. The addition of detoxifying agents, such as MMDA, to contaminated diets can alleviate the negative impact of mycotoxins on broiler chickens.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zahra Khoshbin, Elham Sameiyan, Hamed Zahraee, Mohammad Ramezani, Mona Alibolandi, Khalil Abnous, Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi
Summary: In this study, a simple aptasensing approach was used to detect ochratoxin A (OTA), a dangerous mycotoxin with severe health effects. The aptasensor utilized the alteration of liquid crystal (LC) molecules at the surfactant-arranged interface to sensitively detect OTA. By perturbing the alignment of LCs, the presence of OTA induced a noticeable change in the polarized view of the aptasensor substrate. The aptasensor demonstrated high sensitivity and could detect OTA in various real samples.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maximilian Meyer, Doerte Diehl, Gabriele Ellen Schaumann, Katherine Munoz
Summary: The combination of plastic and straw coverage with fungicide application may increase fungicide residues in soil, reduce fungal biomass, and impact mycotoxin occurrence and soil organic matter decomposition. Despite these effects being minor and transient, they are still noteworthy.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kilian G. J. Kenngott, Julius Albert, Friederike Meyer-Wolfarth, Gabriele E. Schaumann, Katherine Munoz
Summary: Although mycotoxins are usually considered as food contamination issues, there is also growing interest in them as environmental pollutants. The main sources of trichothecene and zearalenone mycotoxins in the environment are Fusarium infested fields. However, there is currently a lack of analytical methods to determine Fusarium toxins in soil matrices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alessandra Perfetti-Bolano, Alberto Araneda, Katherine Munoz, Ricardo O. Barra
Summary: This study reveals the presence of plastic debris, mainly in the form of fragments and fibers, in Antarctic soils and their correlation with intertidal sediments. The fragments are composed of phenoxy resin from coatings, while the fibers are made of polyethylene terephthalate. The study also highlights the differences in particle size and organic matter content between soils and intertidal sediments.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Maximilian Meyer, Gabriele Ellen Schaumann, Katherine Munoz
Summary: This study investigated the impact of plastic coverage (PC) and straw coverage (SC) on soil fungi and mycotoxin occurrence in a 3-year field experiment. The results showed that the modified microclimate under PC had no significant influence on fungal biomass, while SC promoted fungal biomass in the topsoil. Mycotoxins were detected under both cover types, with deoxynivalenol having the highest detection frequency.
MYCOTOXIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julius Albert, Katherine Munoz
Summary: In this study, the dissipation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was investigated in two contrasting soils under microbial and photodegradation conditions. The dissipation rates were influenced by soil characteristics and initial AFB1 concentration. Increasing initial AFB1 concentration decreased the microbial degradation rate in sandy loam soil, while the dissipation rate in clay soil increased up to a certain concentration and then sharply decreased.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Johanna P. Girardi, Sven Korz, Katherine Munoz, Jellian Jamin, Daniel Schmitz, Verena Roesch, Kai Riess, Klaus Schuetzenmeister, Hermann F. Jungkunst, Melanie Brunn
Summary: This study found that the invasive plant species F. japonica can inhibit soil nitrification through the presence of emodin and resveratrol. The concentration of emodin significantly increased under copper stress. However, the joint occurrence of F. japonica and copper did not amplify the inhibitory effect on nitrification.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alessandra Perfetti-Bolano, Katherine Munoz, Alan S. Kolok, Alberto Araneda, Ricardo O. Barra
Summary: This article discusses the influence of the human population on the concentration, distribution, and biological effects of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in the Antarctic coastal marine ecosystem. The lack of tertiary treatment in research stations leads to elevated concentrations of PPCPs in effluents. The geographic distribution of Antarctic field stations allows for the release of PPCPs directly into the sea. Further research is needed to understand the fate, transport, and biological effects of PPCPs on Antarctic biota.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gisela H. Degen, Joerg Reinders, Martin Kraft, Wolfgang Voelkel, Felicia Gerull, Rafael Burghardt, Silvia Sievering, Jennifer Engelmann, Yvonni Chovolou, Jan G. Hengstler, Hermann Fromme
Summary: This study investigated the exposure of German residents to the mycotoxin citrinin. The results showed evidence of significant exposure, particularly in children. Further biomonitoring studies and investigations into the major sources of citrinin exposure in food commodities are needed.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel Schmitz, Johanna Girardi, Eva Ullrich, Katherine Munoz-Sepulveda, Mirco Bundschuh, Kai Riess, Jens Schirmel
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the impact of Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera on soil-plant interactions, particularly focusing on fungi. The results showed that these invasive species had minor effects on soil physicochemical properties, soil microbial activity, and soil fungal richness. However, they significantly influenced the abundance of soil arthropods and exhibited differences in root-associated fungal communities compared to native plants.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Correction
Food Science & Technology
Gisela H. H. Degen, Joerg Reinders, Martin Kraft, Wolfgang Voelkel, Felicia Gerull, Rafael Burghardt, Silvia Sievering, Jennifer Engelmann, Yvonni Chovolou, Jan G. G. Hengstler, Hermann Fromme
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christian Rung, Frank Welle, Anita Gruner, Arielle Springer, Zacharias Steinmetz, Katherine Munoz
Summary: According to the European circular economy strategy, all plastic packaging placed on the market by 2030 has to be recyclable. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has derived very low migration limits for recycled polymers in direct contact with food. PET is currently the only polymer that complies with EFSA's requirements for a circular economy. However, better-structured collection systems and cleaning processes, as well as more analytical methods, might offer the possibility of implementing other polymers into recycling processes in the future.
Article
Soil Science
Sven Korz, Sullivan Sadzik, Camilla More, Christian Buchmann, Elke Richling, Katherine Munoz
Summary: Grape pomace (GP) as an organic fertilizer contributes to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), but little is known about the factors affecting the mobility of C, N, and bioactive molecules in the soil. This study investigated the mobility of macronutrients in GP from red and white grape varieties using a column model. Results showed that white GP had wider C/N ratios and lower polyphenolic content compared to red GP. C and N were mobilized through the soil column with rainwater, but the application rate did not indicate accumulation in the soil. The study provides important insights into the mobility of macronutrients in the soil and the need to consider soil and GP properties to prevent nutrient accumulation or mobility to adjacent ecosystems.
Article
Soil Science
Julius Albert, Camilla More, Sven Korz, Katherine Munoz
Summary: This study investigated the microbial responses in two different soils (sandy loam and clay) to aflatoxin B1. The results showed that AFB1 does not pose a threat to general microbial indicators under the test conditions in soils without previous AF contamination.
Article
Soil Science
Katherine Munoz, Soren Thiele-Bruhn, Kilian G. J. Kenngott, Maximilian Meyer, Doerte Diehl, Zacharias Steinmetz, Gabriele E. Schaumann
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of different mulching methods on soil microbiome and found that wheat straw mulching increased the abundance and enzyme activity of soil microorganisms, possibly due to changes in soil pH and organic matter input.
Article
Soil Science
Zacharias Steinmetz, Paul Loffler, Silvia Eichhofer, Jan David, Katherine Munoz, Gabriele E. Schaumann
Summary: This study analyzed soil samples from agricultural fields covered with different types of plastic materials and identified various sizes of plastic debris, as well as the sources of some of the debris. The results suggest that thicker and more durable plastic covers should be preferred to reduce plastic pollution in soil.
