The combined effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) involving gas packaging, oxygen absorbent and other environmental factors to control aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in both synthetic media and peanuts were studied using a process optimization technique termed Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Regression analysis of the data indicated that water activity (a$ sb{ rm w}$), pH, storage temperature, initial concentration of headspace oxygen and inoculum level were all highly significant factors (p 0%). These changes in the barrier characteristics influenced the headspace gas composition within the product and under modified atmospheres hence the level of aflatoxin detected in these stored products. / In conclusion, this study has shown that the combined effect of several "barriers" can be used in conjunction with low oxygen modified atmosphere and high barrier packaging films to inhibit or reduce aflatoxin to safe and acceptable levels, particularly at abusive temperatures encountered during storage.

Mycotoxins are poisonous secondary metabolites commonly produced by fungi and are involved in human disease conditions known as mycotoxicoses. There is evidence to show that food eaten by the rural Black population of Southern Africa is contaminated with mycotoxins. A tenuous relationship exists between the occurrence of mycotoxins in foods and certain disease conditions in humans. In order to verify this relationship, efforts have, in the past, been made to detect mycotoxins and their metabolites in physiological fluids and tissues. The difficulty with this approach is that mycotoxins in the body have short half lives, being rapidly excreted or metabolised to other forms. More recently it has been shown that aflatoxin B1, as its activated epoxide, can conjugate with macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. These survive for much longer than the free toxins and by suitable methods can be isolated and measured. This allows for a much better estimate of exposure of the individual to aflatoxin. This study reviews and evaluates screening methods for the detection and analysis of mycotoxin contamination in rural foodstuffs such as maize and groundnuts. Methods for the production of aflatoxin-lysine and protein adducts are motivated and developed then used in the identification of naturally occurring adducts in humans. Isolation and quantitative analysis techniques are proposed to routinely screen patients for evidence of aflatoxin exposure. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

The work presented here represents research done on mycotoxins and plant toxins by the author and his postgraduate students over a period from 1964 to date. The first phase, which ends at 1980, mainly addresses the biosynthesis of the aflatoxins. The involvement of anthraquinone derivatives in this process was investigated and the role of versicolorin A and its derivatives was partially elucidated. Novel active enzymes systems were derived from protoplasts and used in these studies. The period lasting from 1980 to 1992 concentrates on the occurrence of mycotoxins in agricultural commodities and effects on animals and their systems. Over 7000 samples were analysed using a multimycotoxin analytical method and a fungal screen. The most common mycotoxin found was aflatoxin B₁ and prevalent fungus was Fusarium moniliforme. Later work is indicating that fumonisin B₁ is the most commonly occurring mycotoxin. As this was only discovered in 1988, its presence was only looked from 1995 onwards. It was also found that rumen fluid could metabolise trichothecenes. During this period (1980-1992) further work on aflatoxin metabolism was done and a novel dehydrogenase involved in aflatoxin B₁ was isolated and characterised. An Elisa assay was developed for atractyloside, a toxin found in a plant (Callilepis laureola) used in tradition medicine. The site of atractyloside storage was found to be in the plant vacuole. The final period covers 1992 to the present, where the occurrence and effects of mycotoxins in human disease were studied. The major and most important finding is that fumonisin B₁ is present in the blood and tissues of many of the Black population examined in Kwazulu Natal. This includes, oesophageal cancer patients, eclamptic patients, school children and members of the rural population. A similar circumstance also appertains for the presence of aflatoxin B₁. It seems likely from these results that chronic mycotoxicoses are a common occurrence, particularly in the Black rural population and are not the sporadic rare event that is found in the first world countries. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

The biosynthesis of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been the subject of conflicting speculation and numerous reviews. The currently accepted scheme for the aflatoxin pathway is based on data obtained from feeding studies using isotopically labelled precursors. In these studies the conversion of possible intermediate metabolites to AFBl by mutants of Aspergillus parasiticus illustrated their role as biogenetic precursors. Currently there is now agreement on the identity of most of the intermediate Illetabolites involved in the biosynthesis of AFB1. However, there is a lack of clarity on the details of AFB1 biosynthesis including the conversion of sterigmatocystin (ST) to AFB1 via the metabolite O-methylsterigmatocystin (OMST). There is no clear cut evidence of the metabolic role of OMST, i.e., either it is a compulsory intermediate or a shunt metabolite and hence part of a metabolic grid. In order to investigate this step in AFBl biosynthesis, ST was isolated from surface cultures of A. versicolor (M1101) and purified by silica gel column chromatography and repeated recrystallisation. Sterigmatocystin was characterised by thin layer chromatography (t.1.c.), low resolution mass spectrometry (M.S) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (N.M.R). A series of seven derivatives of the free hydroxyl group of ST were synthesised by known chemical reactions, purified by silica gel column chromatography and characterised by high resolution mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed using a fluorescence detector. The optimum parameters for the separation of the four major aflatoxins, namely AFBl, AFB2, AFGl and AFG2, using trifluoroacetic acid as the derivatising reagent, were obtained for a reversed phase Prodigy C18 column with a mobile phase of water: acetonitrile: isopropanol: acetic acid (8: 1: 0.5: 0.5, v/v). Feeding studies, using whole cells of A. parasiticus (WhI-11-105), showed that ST and the ST derivatives were converted to AFB1. A time courser study for the conversion of ST and selected ST derivatives to AFB1 indicated a decrease in the rate of conversion in the order: a-propyl sterigmatocystin (OPROST) > a-ethyl sterigmatocystin > a-methylsterigmatocystin > Sterigmatocystin> a-benzoyl sterigmatocystin (OBzST). It was apparent that the "enzyme" responsible for the conversion of the derivatives to AFB1 did not display a high degree of substrate specificity, since it was unable to recognize the difference between the various alkyl groups, either as ether or ester functional groups. An HPLC method was developed using a diode array detector. The optimum parameters for the separation of aflatoxin metabolites and the synthesised derivatives were obtained for a reversed phase Lichrosphere RP-I8 column with a 30 minute gradient elution program with water and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Crude cell-free extracts were prepared by lyophilisation of the mycelia of A. parasiticus (Whl-11l-105) with phosphate buffer. The temperature and pH for the conversion of ST to AFB1, were found to be optimum at 28°C and 7.2, respectively. The addition of SAM (1.5 mM) and NADPH (1.5 mM) increased the conversion of ST to AFBl from 11.21 % to 27.10 %. A time course study with ST, OMST and OPROST showed that the rate of conversion to AFBl was close to linear for an incubation time of up to 60 minutes. Approximation of the reaction rate indicated a decrease in the order: OMST > ST > OPROST. This indicated that the time course reaction using whole cells was in part a measure of membrane permeability rather than substrate specificity. Molecular exclusion chromatography was used to separate enzymatic protein from primary and secondary metabolites, small biomolecules and indigenous co-factors (MW < 10 000) and the partially purified "enzyme" was concentrated by dialysis against solid sucrose. The "enzyme" was subjected to non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and was found to be made of sub-units ranging from 58 kDa to over 200 kDa. Enzymatic investigations with ST, as substrate, indicated that OMST is a compulsory intermediate in the biosynthesis of AFBl. Also, enzymatic investigations of selected ST derivatives showed that the partially purified "enzyme" displayed relative specificity for these substrates, viz., OMST, OPROST and OBzST. Three xanthones, namely, 1-hydroxy-,6-dimethylxanthone, I-methoxy-3,6-dimethylxanthone and l-acetyl-3,6-dimethylxanthone were synthesised, purified and characterised spectroscopically. Whole cell studies of A. parasiticus (CMI 91019b) and A. parasiticus (Wh1-11-105) showed that these xanthones inhibited AFBl production to varying extents. Kinetic studies of cell-free extracts revealed that the 1-methoxy-3,6-dimethylxanthone derivative was a non-competitive inhibitor. The Michaelis Menten constant (Km) of approximately 5.60 uM (for OMST) was determined for a cell-free reaction at pH 7.2 and 28 QC. A Clark oxygen electrode was used to carry out oxygen consumption studies in a partially purified "enzyme" preparation. A calibration system was designed and the enzymatic conversion of OMST to AFB1 and NADPH consumption were monitored by HPLC and UV spectroscopy, respectively. From the results of these enzymatic reactions, the following stoichiometric relationship was determined: 2 mole oxygen consumed = 1 mole NADPH consumed = 1 mole AFB1 produced A tentative mechanism is discussed for the conversion of OMST to AFB1 which utilizes a monooxygenase and a dioxygenase. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin synthesised by toxigenic fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus), is a common contaminant of many cereal commodities consequently posing a major threat to human and animal health. Sutherlandia frutescens (SF), a traditional medicinal plant endemic to Southern Africa, is commonly used by many cultures as a tonic for various health-related conditions. Incidentally, the present study aimed at investigating the potential hepatoprotective capacity of SF and L-canavanine (L-can, a major constituent of SF) against AFB1-induced cytotoxicity in human HepG2 cells and used a standard treatment procedure of 24 h. Cell viability was evaluated using the methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MIT) assay, which effectively demonstrated the ability of SF, when administered individually and in combination with AFB1, to be significantly cytotoxic to HepG2 cells in a dose-dependant manner. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent peroxidative damage caused by AFB1 are considered to be the main mechanisms leading to hepatotoxicity and was confirmed by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay which revealed that AFB1 mediated a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. Additionally, comet assay analysis demonstrated the most pronounced effect to be observed following administration of AFB1. In contrast, AFB1-mediated genotoxicity was significantly reduced by SF and L-can. Such amelioration can be attributed to the marked increases in glutathione (OSH) levels observed after the co-administration of SF and L-can with AFB1. Cytoprotection by SF and L-can against AFB1-induced toxicity was further substantiated by the significant increases in heat shock protein 70 expression. Moreover, when SF and L-can were co-administered along with AFB1, analysis by flow cytometry revealed that AFB1 induced increases in apoptosis and necrosis were reduced. The findings of this study propose that SF and L-can may be selectively effective in alleviating AFB1-induced cytotoxicity and lends pharmacological credibility to the suggested ethnomedical uses of SF. However, the exact mechanism of action and the extracts efficacy in humans requires further authentication. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Tropical Medicine))--Mahidol University, 1999.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University,2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.94-104).

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito protetivo da adição de biomassa de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) residual, obtida da fermentação alcoólica de cana e cerveja contra a passagem de aflatoxina M1 para o leite. Para tanto, foi realizado ensaio preliminar in vitro de remoção de AFB1 em solução tampão fosfato pelas diferentes fontes de biomassa de SC (levedura de cana-de-açúcar seca e inativada, LCSI; levedura autolizada, LA; parede celular, PC; e co-produto de cervejaria parcialmente desidratado, CCPD), em temperatura ambiente pelos tempos de contato de 05, 10, 20 e 30 min. O ensaio in vivo foi realizado por meio de 20 vacas multíparas da raça holandesa que foram selecionadas em estágio médio de lactação. O delineamento experimental consistiu em dez tratamentos, um controle negativo, um controle positivo e dois tratamentos (com e sem inclusão de AFB1) para cada uma das quatro diferentes fontes de SC, durante um período de 10 dias para avaliar a produção e a composição do leite, escore de condição corporal e bioquímica sérica. A análise de amostras de leite para quantificação de AFM1 foi realizada empregando-se coluna de imunoafinidade para purificação associada a CLAE acoplada a espectrômetro de massa triplo quadrupolo. O valor do limite de quantificação de AFM1 foi 0,5 &micro;g kg-1. Amostras de ração foram analisadas para quantificação de AFB1 por meio de coluna de imunoafinidade para purificação associada a CLAE. O valor do limite de quantificação de AFB1 foi de 0,5 &micro;g.kg-1. Através do estudo in vitro foi possível observar que a viabilidade celular não é pré requisito para adsorção e que o tempo de incubação não interfere na capacidade de adsorção de AFB1. No estudo in vivo, não foi observado efeito da AFB1 e nem das diferentes fontes de biomassa de SC sobre o escore de condição corporal, produção e composição do leite. A bioquímica sérica (AST, ALT e PT) avaliada foi similar entre os grupos não intoxicados e intoxicado com AFB1. Os tratamentos LA e PC apresentaram maior capacidade de adsorção de AFB1 em vacas leiteiras previamente intoxicadas. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of adding residual biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), obtained from the fermentation of sugarcane and beer against aflatoxin M1 passage into milk. Therefore, preliminary in vitro test of AFB1 removal in phosphate buffer solution by SC different biomass sources (inactive dry yeast sugarcane, IDYS, autolyzed yeast, AY; cell wall, CW and co- brewery partially dehydrated product, CBPDP) at room temperature for contact times of 05, 10, 20 and 30 min was performed. The in vivo assays were performed using 20 multiparous Holstein cows that were selected in mid lactation stage. The experimental design consisted of ten treatments, a negative control, a positive control and two treatments (with and without inclusion of AFB1) for each of four different sources of SC, over a period of 10 days to evaluate the milk yield and composition, body condition score and serum biochemistry. Milk sample analysis for quantification of AFM1 were carried out using an immunoaffinity column for purification associated with HPLC coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limit of quantification for AFM1 was 0.5 &micro;g. kg-1. Feed samples were analyzed for AFB1 quantification by immunoaffinity purification column associated with HPLC. The limit of quantification for AFB1 was 0.5 &micro;g.kg-1. For in vitro study it was observed that the cell viability is not prerequisite for adsorption and the incubation time does not interfere with AFB1 adsorption capacity. For in vivo study, there was no effect of AFB1 nor the different SC biomass sources on body condition score, milk yield and composition. There was no significant difference between the originated AFB1 levels from food samples in different days of the experimental period. Serum biochemical (AST, ALT, TP) evaluated was similar between the control group and intoxicated with AFB1. The AY and CW treatments had higher adsorption capacity in dairy cows previously intoxicated.

O trabalho objetivou construir um dendograma filogenético das cepas de Aspergillus flavus isoladas de amendoim recém-colhido de quatro regiões de São Paulo (Cafelândia, Jaboticabal, Rosália e Tupã), avaliar o potencial toxigênico e agrupar as cepas quanto à produção de esclerócios. A técnica de AFLP foi utilizada para caracterização genotípica. O potencial aflatoxigênico foi avaliado pelo cultivo das cepas em meio de ágar coco, extração das aflatoxinas por clorofórmio, separação por CCD e quantificação por espectrodenditômetro CS-9000. A indução da produção de esclerócios foi feita pela incubação dos isolados em meio ágar Czapeck-DOX. AFLP gerou 78 fragmentos de 27 pb a 365 pb, sendo 13% não polimórficos. O perfil genotípico revelou 31 haplótipos e de 12 grupos no dendograma. A similaridade entre os isolados variou de 37 a 90 %. O potencial aflatoxigênico revelou 91,7 % de cepas produtoras, com níveis entre 39,27 mg/Kg e 28689,61 mg/Kg para AFB1 e 1,50 mg/Kg a 9781,09 mg/Kg para AFB2. Quanto aos esclerócios, 83,9% das cepas foram produtoras, sendo todas tipo S. / This study aimed to draw a phylogenetic dendogram of Aspergillus flavus strains isolated from fresh harvested peanut from four regions of São Paulo state (Cafelândia, Jaboticabal, Rosália and Tupã), to determine the toxigenic potential and to group them regarding the sclerotia production pattern. The AFLP thecnique was used for genotypic characterization. Aflatoxin production was evaluated by inoculation of fungi in coconut agar, extraction with chloroform, TLC segregation and quantification by spectrophotometer CS-9000. Agar Czapeck-DOX was used to evaluate sclerotia production. AFLP generated 78 fragments varying from 27 pb to 365 pb, 13 % of them were not polymorphic. The genotypic profile showed 31 haplotypes and 12 groups in the dendogram. The similarity among the isolates varied from 37 to 90 %. The aflatoxigenic potential showed 91,7 % of producer strains, with levels between 39,27 mg/Kg and 28689,61 mg/Kg for AFB1 and between 1,50 mg/Kg and 9781,09 mg/Kg for AFB2. Concerning the sclerotia production, 83,9 % of the strains were producers, all were S type.

Mycotoxins have become an important issue for the grain industry and animal producers with a growing interest in the decontamination and remediation of highly contaminated feedstuffs. Practical methods to detoxify mycotoxin-contaminated grain on a large scale and in a cost-effective manner are essential but not currently available. The most recent and promising approach to detoxify mycotoxin-contaminated grain is the use of non-nutritive adsorbents, which bind the aflatoxin and thereby reduce their absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Humic acids are products of chemical and biological transformations of animal and plant residues and are widely distributed in nature. Humic acids have some therapeutic characteristics and a strong binding affinity for several compounds. A South African company developed an effective large-scale regeneration process for humic acids from coal, called oxihumate. This study evaluated the effectiveness of oxihumate to adsorb mycotoxins, for the purpose of developing it as a commercial mycotoxin binder to be used in the preventative management of contaminated poultry feedstuffs. The in vitro affinity and adsorption capacity of oxihumate to aflatoxin was evaluated and the efficacy of oxihumate as an aflatoxin binder in broiler feeds in vivo was determined. The data showed adsorptions of about 10.3, 7.4 and 11.9 mg aflatoxin B1/g oxihumate at pH 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Oxihumate adsorbed 1.2, 2.6 and 8.5 mg aflatoxin G2/g at pH 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Oxihumate supplementation at a concentration of 3.5 g/kg feed was effective in diminishing the growth inhibitory effects of aflatoxin and apparent protection was noted for some of the organ, haematological and serum biochemical changes associated with aflatoxicosis. These results suggest that oxihumate could alleviate some of the toxic effects of aflatoxin in growing broilers, and when used with other sound mycotoxin management practices, might prove beneficial in the preventative management of aflatoxin-contaminated feedstuffs for poultry. The improvement observed during this specific study was, however, not satisfactory enough to recommend oxihumate as a commercially available product. / Thesis (PhD (Animal and Wildlife Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted