Aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxins in ground red chilli pepper after drying

In this study, 180 red chilli pepper (RCP) berry samples were obtained from two different croplands of Gaziantep and Kahramanmara? (Turkey) in August, September and October. RCP berry samples were dried under sunlight and grinded. Ground red chilli pepper (GRCP) samples were analysed for aflatoxins (AFs, sum of B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂) and AFB₁ contamination. According to the results, in 49 of 180 samples, AFB₁ and in 37 samples, AFs were higher than legal limits. The lowest amounts of AFs and AFB₁ were obtained in August and the highest amounts in October. χ² analysis showed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between cities among 3 months according to number of samples with AFs and AFB₁ above legal limits. According to the Duncan multiple-range test, there was no significant difference between all months. Strict measures are necessary to produce high-quality GRCP. RCP berry must be treated to reduce moulds before production of GRCP.     

The production of aflatoxins in fresh date fruits and under simulated storage conditions

Sixteen varieties of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) at three stages of maturation (Kimri, Rutab and Tamr) were examined for the presence of fungi and analysed for aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ and sterigmatocystin. Single samples of each variety were used in the study. Samples as received were initially examined for mycoflora and toxin levels and then stored at 98% relative humidity and 30 °C for 14 days to investigate the effects of possible adverse storage conditions on mycoflora and, in particular, aflatoxin formation. All samples showed an absence of aflatoxins and their precusor, sterigmatocystin, after adverse storage for 14 days, although aflatoxin‐producing Aspergillus flavus isolates were identified in 10 varieties at the first stage of maturation (Kimri). High fungal counts were associated with the Rutab stage and low counts with the Tamr stage. The counts of A flavus ranged from 5.00 to 8.16 log₁₀(cfu g^?1) under simulated storage conditions, and three varieties contained significant levels of aflatoxin B₁ or B₂ ranging from 35 to 11 610 µg kg^?1. Sterigmatocystin was not detected in any of the samples as received or under simulated storage conditions. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera Linn): an emerging medicinal food

Date palm is one of the oldest trees cultivated by man. In the folk-lore, date fruits have been ascribed to have many medicinal properties when consumed either alone or in combination with other herbs. Although, fruit of the date palm served as the staple food for millions of people around the world for several centuries, studies on the health benefits are inadequate and hardly recognized as a healthy food by the health professionals and the public. In recent years, an explosion of interest in the numerous health benefits of dates had led to many in vitro and animal studies as well as the identification and quantification of various classes of phytochemicals. On the basis of available documentation in the literature on the nutritional and phytochemical composition, it is apparent that the date fruits are highly nutritious and may have several potential health benefits. Although dates are sugar-packed, many date varieties are low GI diet and refutes the dogma that dates are similar to candies and regular consumption would develop chronic diseases. More investigations in these areas would validate its beneficial effects, mechanisms of actions, and fully appreciate as a potential medicinal food for humans all around the world. Therefore, in this review we summarize the phytochemical composition, nutritional significance, and potential health benefits of date fruit consumption and discuss its great potential as a medicinal food for a number of diseases inflicting human beings.     

Effect of Soybean Volatile Compounds on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production

ABSTRACT:  Soybean homogenates produced volatile compounds upon exposure to lipase. These induced volatiles were identified by SPME. Seventeen volatile compounds identified by SPME were chosen for determination of their ability to inhibit Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB1) production in a solid media assay. These volatiles included aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and furans. Of the tested compounds, the aldehydes showed the greatest inhibition of fungal growth and AFB1 production. These compounds inhibited up to 100% of the observed growth and AFB1 production as compared to the controls. The greatest activity by the aldehydes to disrupt growth was ranked as follows: 2,4 hexadienal > benzaldehyde > 2-octenal > ( E )-2-heptenal > octanal > ( E )-2-hexenal > nonanal > hexanal. The greatest activity by the aldehydes to reduce AFB1 was ranked as follows: ( E )-2-hexenal > 2,4 hexadienal > ( E )-2-heptenal > hexanal > nonanal. ( E )-2-hexenal and ( E )-2-heptenal were tested further in an A. flavus -inoculated corn kernel assay. Both compounds prevented colonization by A. flavus and eliminated AFB1 production when exposed to compound volumes < 10 μL as also shown in the solid media assay. The results suggest that soybeans react to lipase by production of potent antifungal volatiles.     

Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of four date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit varieties grown in Tunisia

Fruits of date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) are consumed throughout the world and are a vital component of the diet in most Arabian countries. This study has been carried out to evaluate the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of four date palm fruit varieties grown in Tunisia. All measurements were made at the 'tamar' stage-the final stage of fruit ripeness. The date varieties were found to be rich in total phenolic ranging from 209.42 mg of equivalent gallic acid/100 g fresh weight in Kentichi to 447.73 mg equivalent gallic acid/100 g fresh weight in Allig. The date varieties studied were characterised by a high antioxidant activity ranging from 866.82 for the Deglet Nour to 1148.11 μmol Equivalent Trolox/100 g fresh weight for Khouet Kenta by the ABTS method. In fact, the DPPH method revealed that Allig having the lowest antioxidant activity (0.72) followed by Deglet Nour (1.53), Kentichi (1.68) and Khouet Kenta variety (1.96). This study suggest that Tunisian date palm fruit may serve as a good source of natural antioxidants and could potentially be considered as a functional food ingredient.     

吲哚对黄曲霉生长及产毒的抑制作用

本文研究了吲哚对黄曲霉的生长以及产毒的抑制作用。通过96孔板微量法发现吲哚能够抑制黄曲霉的生长,其最小抑制浓度(MIC)为100μg/m L;进而采用差量法测定了吲哚对黄曲霉菌丝生长量的抑制作用,结果表明200μg/m L的吲哚处理可以完全抑制黄曲霉的菌丝生长。此外,通过高效液相色谱分析发现吲哚浓度达到50μg/m L时,尽管对菌丝生长量没有明显影响,但是可以有效地抑制黄曲霉毒素B1的产生。这些结果说明吲哚抑制毒素产生并不是通过抑制生长来实现的。为了进一步了解吲哚对毒素产生的抑制机制,本研究通过RT-PCR分析了吲哚对黄曲霉产毒相关基因表达的影响。结果显示吲哚对产毒调控基因afl R的影响与其对毒素的作用趋势相同,同时吲哚还能够下调其他一些产毒相关基因afl K和alf D的表达。我们的研究结果表明吲哚具有很高的开发价值应用于粮食和饲料中黄曲霉毒素污染的控制。     

Assessment of Groundnut Varietal Tolerant to Aflatoxin Contamination in Indonesia

Aflatoxin is secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. paraciticus that grow on the seed coat (testa) of groundnut. This toxin is a serious food safety issue throughout the world. The availability of resistant genotype to A. flavus infection and/or aflatoxin contamination urgently needed. The experiment found one genotype had aflatoxin contamination under the safe level (≤ 10 ppb), with <15% of seed number infected by A. flavus. Recently, the biggest peanut industry, where the main production is roasted-peanut (in shell) produced from fresh pods, grows and develops that variety.     

Aflatoxin contamination in mustard (Brassica juncea) in relation to agronomic practices

Aflatoxin contamination in two varieties of mustard (Brassica juncea L), Varuna and BR-40, sown on three planting dates (1, 15 and 30 November) under two different cropping patterns, viz monocropping and mixed cropping (along with the UP-262 variety of wheat), was examined in rabi (winter) crops of 1987–1988 and 1988–1989. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of planting date and cropping pattern as well as a combined effect of planting date × cropping pattern. Delayed planting (30 November) resulted in a very high level of aflatoxin contamination. The level of aflatoxin was low when mustard was cultivated along with wheat (mixed cropping). Varuna was more susceptible to aflatoxin than BR-40. The maximum number of fungi was recorded in mixed cropping samples.     

云南大叶种晒青毛茶提取物对产毒黄曲霉生长及产毒的影响

普洱茶在发酵过程中,微生物组成十分复杂,尤其是黑曲霉等霉菌起到主要作用,因此一些消费者担心普洱茶在发酵过程中受到黄曲霉毒素(AFS)的污染。本文通过测定菌落直径、孢子萌发及菌丝体干重等方法研究云南大叶种茶提取物对产毒黄曲霉AS3.4408生长的影响;采用紫外荧光法和HPLC法研究云南大叶种茶提取物对产毒黄曲霉AFS生物合成的影响;并将产毒黄曲霉AS3.4408接种到云南大叶种茶叶中,检测茶叶中的AFS含量,以求对普洱茶的安全性进行评估。研究表明,云南大叶种茶提取物对产毒黄曲霉AS3.4408菌落的生长及产毒均具有显著的抑制作用,且存在明显的剂量依赖关系;将产毒黄曲霉AS3.4408接种到云南大叶种茶叶中,菌株生长良好,但茶叶基质经HPLC检测,未检测到黄曲霉毒素B1、B2、G1和G2,表明云南大叶种茶中的某种(些)成分对黄曲霉毒素的生物合成具有抑制作用。     

Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Leaves

The antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of three varieties of Phoenix dactylifera leaves, namely Deglet Nour, Medjhoul, and Barhee, were studied. The antioxidant activities of extracts of different leaf varieties obtained with solvents of different polarity were investigated using assays of 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrymhydrasyl hydrate radical-scavenging activity, total phenolics and flavonoids amount, condensed tannins, reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity. The results showed that all the extracts exhibited antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities at different magnitudes and potency. The decreasing order of antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities among the extracts assayed were found to be methanol (MeOH) fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > hexane fraction > water extract. Correlation analysis indicated that there is a linear relationship between antioxidant potency, free radical-scavenging ability, and the content of phenolic and flavonoids compounds of Phoenix dactylifera leaf extracts. These results showed that Phoenix dactylifera leaf extracts are a valuable natural antioxidant, which can be applied in both healthy medicine and food industry and biotechnology.     

Effect of synthetic antioxidants on stored maize grain mycoflora in situ

BACKGROUND: The influence of a mixture of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and propyl paraben (PP) (each at a concentration of 20 mmol L^?1) on mycoflora and Aspergillus section Flavi populations in stored maize grain was evaluated. A survey of 120 maize samples was carried out from June to November 2005. RESULTS: The predominant populations in non‐treated (control) maize between the first and sixth sampling periods were Aspergillus section Flavi and Penicillium. Aspergillus flavus was the fungus most frequently isolated from both control and antioxidant‐treated kernels. All samples of control and antioxidant‐treated maize kernels were negative for aflatoxins during the 6 month storage period. Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus strains showed a variable ability to produce aflatoxins. The contribution of the strains to silo community toxigenicity was higher for A. flavus L (large) and S (small) strains in the fourth sampling period. CONCLUSION: Antioxidant treatment negatively affected natural maize mycoflora and Aspergillus section Flavi populations between the second and sixth months of storage. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

不产毒黄曲霉菌对产毒黄曲霉菌产毒抑制效果分析

本实验6株菌分离自广东、山东、辽宁和湖北四省的花生土壤中,通过形态学和分子生物学鉴定均为黄曲霉菌,HPLC测定其产毒能力,其中GZ-6为产毒菌,GZ-15、WF-5、WF-20、JZ-2和YC-8为不产毒菌。分别以花生和玉米为培养基,将不产毒黄曲霉菌和产毒菌(孢子浓度:104:105或105:105)进行混合培养,测定不产毒菌对产毒黄曲霉产毒的抑制效果。结果显示:不产毒菌对产毒菌产毒的抑制率随着其孢子浓度的增加而明显加强,当孢子浓度比为105:105(不产毒菌:产毒菌)时,5株不产毒菌在玉米培养基上对产毒菌产毒的抑制率为34.55%~75.94%,在花生培养基上对产毒菌产毒的抑制率为38.03%~83.03%,其中WF-5、WF-20和GZ-15这三株不产毒菌对产毒黄曲霉产毒的抑制效果均达到75.00%以上,可以作为田间防治黄曲霉毒素污染的候选菌株。     

非脱羧勒克菌wt16对黄曲霉菌生长与产毒的抑制作用

黄曲霉菌及其毒素严重威胁农产品质量安全,本文旨在探寻非脱羧勒克菌对黄曲霉菌及其毒素污染防控效果。从湖北黄陂分离筛选出一株非脱梭勒克菌wt16,将其与黄曲霉菌在液体培养基中共培养后测定非脱羧勒克菌wt16菌株对黄曲霉菌生长及产毒的抑制率。结果表明,在沙氏液体培养基中,非脱羧勒克菌wt16能明显抑制黄曲霉菌的生长及产毒,对其菌丝生长的抑制率为77%~92%,对其产毒的抑制率为90%~96%。通过扫描电子显微镜观察发现,非脱羧勒克菌wt16能改变黄曲霉菌丝的形态,使得黄曲霉菌丝体由规则的球体聚集成不规则形状,单个菌丝会由细长型断裂成小截形态,菌丝表面也变得更为光滑;并且发现wt16在花生粉及未受机械损伤的花生颗粒上对黄曲霉菌的生长及产毒均表现出很强的抑制作用。进一步研究发现,非脱羧勒克菌wt16菌株发酵上清液中含有能抑制黄曲霉毒素合成的有效成分,且该发酵上清液的制备以培养4 d以上为最佳,培养温度为15~40 ℃。     

采收期对青皮核桃果实冷藏与采后生理的影响

为了探明鲜贮核桃的适宜采收期及其生理基础,以‘西扶2号’青皮核桃果实为试材,研究Ⅰ（8月23号）、Ⅱ（8月29号）和Ⅲ（9月4号）3 个采收期对青皮核桃果实在－1～1 ℃、相对湿度70%～80%条件下贮藏寿命和生理变化。结果显示,Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期果实采收时分别处于第1个呼吸高峰的跃变前、跃变中、跃变后阶段,采后依次出现、度过、完成第1呼吸高峰;贮藏期第2个呼吸高峰和乙烯释放高峰随采收期延迟而提前。贮藏45 d时果实腐烂指数为Ⅰ（31.47%）显著高于Ⅱ（17.8%）,Ⅱ又显著高于Ⅲ（12.7%）（P＜0.05）。采收时脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）含量处于高水平,吲哚乙酸、赤霉素、玉米素含量处于低水平;贮藏后期（24～30 d后）各激素含量均伴随乙烯高峰的出现而上升。得出结论：Ⅲ为鲜贮‘西扶2号’果实适宜的采收期,其果实树上成熟可能与ABA有关,采后衰老主要与乙烯生成增加有关。     

贵州秋季栽培不同荞麦品种成熟期果实中黄曲霉及其毒素的分离与鉴定

本研究以贵阳秋季栽培的2个米苦荞(F.tataricum,贵米苦荞18-1号和贵黑米苦荞12号)、2个多苦荞(F.tatari-cymosum,贵多苦荞003C和贵多苦荞60)、2个甜荞(F.esculentum,贵红花甜荞2号和1412-1)、2个常规苦荞(F.tataricum,定苦荞1号和六苦2017)为材料。对其成熟期种子果壳和籽粒进行了黄曲霉分离鉴定,并采用高效液相色谱法对所有品种果壳和籽粒中分离出的黄曲霉菌株进行AFB₁、AFB₂、AFG₁和AFG₂毒素的检测。结果表明,所有品种果壳中均没有分离出黄曲霉菌落;4类荞麦籽粒中仅米苦荞分离出了黄曲霉菌落,共分离出4株黄曲霉菌株。其中贵米苦荞18-1号黄曲霉带菌率为1.56%,贵黑米苦荞12号黄曲霉带菌率为0.78%。分离菌株形态学和ITS序列扩增产物测序结果与已知黄曲霉菌序列完全一致。毒素检测结果表明不同品种之间产毒素差异显著,所有品种籽粒中只有米苦荞中检出4种毒素,贵米苦荞18-1号产AFB₁最高为(5.861±0.055) μg/kg、AFB₂最少为(1.605±0.052) μg/kg,贵黑米苦荞12号产AFB₁最高为(14.475±0.533) μg/kg、AFG₂最少为(3.393±0.151) μg/kg;籽粒产毒量远大于分离菌株产毒量;各分离出菌株之间产毒素能力差异显著,最大产AFT为(11.102±0.095) μg/kg、最小产AFT为(1.794±0.024) μg/kg。上述结果显示供试米苦荞籽粒带菌来源可能是由于果壳开裂籽粒外露后部分籽粒被直接侵染所致。所得结果可为米苦荞中黄曲霉抗性育种研究及荞麦种子的保存、运输、储藏等研究奠定基础。