Exploring aflatoxin contamination and household-level exposure risk in diverse Indian food systems

Aflatoxin exposure is associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is common among the socioeconomically deprived populations of certain geographical regions. Aflatoxin is a genotoxic hepatocarcinogen, which is recognized to have a role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the role of aflatoxin in the pathogenesis of GBC is largely unknown. We determined serum AFB1-Lys albumin adduct (AAA) levels as a marker of aflatoxin exposure in the patients with GBC and compared to those without GBC. The relationship of AAA levels to cytogenetic (TP53mutation&HER2/neu amplification) and radiological characteristics of the tumor was assessed. We included GBC cases (n = 51) and non-GBC controls (n = 100). Mean serum AAA levels were higher in the GBC group (n = 51) than those without GBC (n = 100) (26.1 ± 12.2 vs. 13.1 ± 11.9 ng/mL; p < .001). HER2/neu expression was associated with higher AAA levels compared to those with equivocal or negative expression (43.9 ± 3 vs. 28.6 ± 10 vs. 19.3 ± 7 ng/mL; p < .001). Older age (age >50 years) (odds ratio [OR] = 3.2 [CI: 1.3-8.2]; p = .013), positive Helicobacter pylori serology (OR = 5.1 [CI: 1.4-17.8]; p = .012), presence of GS (OR = 5 [CI: 1.5-16.9]; p = .009) and detectable AAA levels (OR = 6.8 [CI: 1.3-35.7]; p = .024) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC among all study subjects. Among patients harboring GS, older age (age >50 years) (OR = 4.5 [CI: 1.3-14.9]; p = .015), female gender (OR = 3.8 [CI: 1.2-12.5]; p = .027), presence of multiple GS (OR = 21.9 [CI: 4.8-100.4]; p < .001) and high serum AAA levels (OR = 5.3 [CI: 1.6-17.3]; p = .006) were independent risk factors for the presence of the GBC. Elderly age >50 years (OR = 2.6 [CI: 1.3-5.2]; p = .010) and frequent peanut consumption (OR = 2.3 [CI: 1.1-4.9]; p = .030) were independent risk factors for high serum AAA levels. The current study has implications for the prevention of GBC through the reduction of dietary aflatoxin exposure.

Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides and Their Main Mycotoxins: Global Distribution and Scenarios of Interactions in Maize

Maize is frequently contaminated with multiple mycotoxins, especially those produced by Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides. As mycotoxin contamination is a critical factor that destabilizes global food safety, the current review provides an updated overview of the (co-)occurrence of A. flavus and F. verticillioides and (co-)contamination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in maize. Furthermore, it summarizes their interactions in maize. The gathered data predict the (co-)occurrence and virulence of A. flavus and F. verticillioides would increase worldwide, especially in European cold climate countries. Studies on the interaction of both fungi regarding their growth mainly showed antagonistic interactions in vitro or in planta conditions. However, the (co-)contamination of AFB1 and FB1 has risen worldwide in the last decade. Primarily, this co-contamination increased by 32% in Europe (2010-2020 vs. 1992-2009). This implies that fungi and mycotoxins would severely threaten European-grown maize.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Southeast Asia Updates

ABSTRACT

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading cancers worldwide. Classically, HCC develops in genetically susceptible individuals who are exposed to risk factors, especially in the presence of liver cirrhosis. Significant temporal and geographic variations exist for HCC and its etiologies. Over time, the burden of HCC has shifted from the low-moderate to the high sociodemographic index regions, reflecting the transition from viral to nonviral causes. Geographically, the hepatitis viruses predominate as the causes of HCC in Asia and Africa. Although there are genetic conditions that confer increased risk for HCC, these diagnoses are rarely recognized outside North America and Europe. In this review, we evaluate the epidemiologic trends and risk factors of HCC and discuss the prevention with surveillance and short management.

Variation of Aflatoxin Levels in Stored Edible Seed and Oil Samples and Risk Assessment in the Local Population

Five hundred and twenty samples of edible seeds and oilseeds (sunflower, palm, peanut, sesame, cotton, and grapeseed) were purchased from markets, farmers, and superstores in the central cities of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 125 (48.1%) edible seed samples from a 6 ≤ months storage period, and 127 (48.8%) from a 2 ≥ years storage period were found to be infested with AFs. The average elevated amount of AFB1 and total AFs was observed in a 2 ≥ years storage period, i.e., 28.6 ± 4.5 and 51.3 ± 10.4 µg/kg, respectively, in sesame seeds. The minimum amount of AFB1 and total AFs was observed in palm seed samples with a storage period of 6 ≤ months, i.e., 9.96 ± 2.4, and 11.7 ± 1.90 µg/kg, respectively. The maximum amount of AFB1 and total AFs were observed in peanut oil samples, i.e., 21.43 ± 2.60 and 25.96 ± 4.30 µg/kg, respectively, with a storage period of 2 ≥ years. Therefore, the maximum dietary intake of 59.60 ng/kg/day was observed in oil samples stored at a ≥ 2 years storage period. The results of the present study concluded that a significant difference was found in the amounts of total AFs in edible seed samples stored at 6 ≤ months and 2 ≥ years storage periods (p < 0.05).

Changing epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in Asia

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of malignant death in Asia, and Asia reports 72.5% of the world's cases in 2020. As the most common histological type, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of incidence and mortality of liver cancer cases. This review presents the changing epidemiology of HCC in Asian countries in recent years. Globally, aged, male and Asian populations remain the group with the highest risk of HCC. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are still the leading risk factors of HCC with a slight decline in most Asian countries, which is mainly attributed to HBV vaccination of newborns, prevention of HCV horizontal transmission and treatment of chronic hepatitis. However, the prevalence of HCC caused by metabolic factors, including metabolic syndrome, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, is increasing rapidly in Asian countries, which may eventually become the major cause of HCC. Excessive alcohol consumption continues to be an important risk factor as the average consumption of alcohol is still growing. Hopefully, great effort has been made to better prevention and treatment of HCC in most Asian regions, which significantly prolongs the survival of HCC patients. Asian countries tend to use more aggressive intervention than European and American countries, but it remains unclear whether this preference is related to a better prognosis. In conclusion, HCC remains a major disease burden in Asia, and the management of HCC should be adjusted dynamically based on the changing epidemiology.

The potential for aflatoxin predictive risk modelling in sub-Saharan Africa: a review

This review presents the current state of aflatoxin risk prediction models and their potential for value actors throughout the food chain in sub-Saharan Africa, with a specific focus on improving smallholder farmer management practices. Several empirical and mechanistic models have been developed either in academic research or by private sector aggregators and processors in high-income countries including Australia, the USA, and Southern Europe, but these models have been only minimally applied in sub-Saharan Africa, where there is significant potential and increasing need due to climate variability. Predictions can be made based on historic occurrence data using either a mechanistic microbiological framework for aflatoxin accumulation or an empirical model based on statistical correlations with climate conditions and local agronomic factors. Model results can then be distributed to smallholders through private, public, or mobile extension services, used by policymakers for strategy or policy, or utilised by private sector institutions for management decisions. Specific agricultural advice can be given during the three most critical points in the phenological cycle: preseason insight including sowing timing and crop varieties, preharvest advice about management and harvest timing, and postharvest optimal practices including storage, drying, and market information. Model development for sub-Saharan Africa is limited by a dearth of georeferenced aflatoxin occurrence data and real-time high resolution climate data; the wide diversity of farm typologies each with significant information and technology gaps; a prevalence of informal market structures and lack of economic incentives systems; and general lack of awareness around aflatoxins and best management practices to mitigate risk. Given advancements towards solving these challenges, predictive aflatoxin models can be integrated into decision support platforms to focus on optimisation of value for smallholders by minimising yield and nutritional losses, which can propagate value throughout the production and postharvest phases.

Removal of aflatoxin b1 and t-2 toxin by bacteria isolated from commercially available probiotic dairy foods

This study isolated lactic acid bacteria from commercially available probiotic foods to determine their capacity to remove aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and trichothecene-2 (T-2). The removal rates by original live and heat-treated cells of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were compared to test the effect of heat treatment on efficacy. LAB is capable to remove up to 46% of AFB₁ and up to 45% of T-2 toixn. The toxin removal capability increased as toxin concentration increased despite bacterial cell viability declining. Surprisingly, the denatured LAB removed greater percentages of AFB₁ (up to 62%) and T-2 (up to 52%) than live bacterial cells (P < 0.05), lending support to the hypothesis that there is higher binding of toxins to the cell membrane of nonviable cells. The research provided practical evidences, which suggest that when ingested into the gut biota, LAB could likely reduce absorption of AFB₁ and T-2 from contaminated foods.

Aflatoxin Detoxification Using Microorganisms and Enzymes

Mycotoxin contamination causes significant economic loss to food and feed industries and seriously threatens human health. Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the most harmful mycotoxins, which are produced by Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, and other fungi that are commonly found in the production and preservation of grain and feed. AFs can cause harm to animal and human health due to their toxic (carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic) effects. How to remove AF has become a major problem: biological methods cause no contamination, have high specificity, and work at high temperature, affording environmental protection. In the present research, microorganisms with detoxification effects researched in recent years are reviewed, the detoxification mechanism of microbes on AFs, the safety of degrading enzymes and reaction products formed in the degradation process, and the application of microorganisms as detoxification strategies for AFs were investigated. One of the main aims of the work is to provide a reliable reference strategy for biological detoxification of AFs.