Mycotoxin Contamination in Sugarcane Grass and Juice: First Report on Detection of Multiple Mycotoxins and Exposure Assessment for Aflatoxins B1 and G1 in Humans

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the natural co-occurrence of multiple toxic fungal and bacterial metabolites in sugarcane grass and juice intended for human consumption in Upper Egypt. Quantification of the target analytes has been done using the “dilute and shoot” approach followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total number of 29 and 33 different metabolites were detected in 21 sugarcane grass and 40 juice samples, respectively, with a trend of concentrations being higher in grass than in juice. Among the regulated mycotoxins, only aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) were detected. The prevalence of AFB1 was in 48% of grass samples and in 58% of juice with a maximum concentration of 30.6 μg/kg and 2.10 μg/kg, respectively. AFG1 was detected in 10% of grass samples (7.76 μg/kg) and 18% of juice samples (34 μg/kg). Dietary exposure was assessed using a juice frequency questionnaire of adult inhabitants in Assiut City. The assessment revealed different levels of exposure to AFB1 between males and females in winter and summer seasons. The estimated seasonal exposure ranged from 0.20 to 0.40 ng/kg b.w./day in winter and from 0.38 to 0.90 ng/kg b.w./day in summer.

Occurrence of multiple mycotoxins and other fungal metabolites in animal feed and maize samples from Egypt using LC‐MS/MS

“…In addition, 3‐nitropropionic acid, sterigmatocystin, asperglaucide, asperphenamate, berkedrimane B, cyclo (L‐Pro‐L‐Tyr), cyclo(L‐Pro‐L‐Val), kojic acid, physcion and aflatoxin precursors such as (averufin, averantin, norsolorinic acid and versicolorin A) were detected in feed and maize. Aflatoxin precursors are usually involved in the AF biosynthetic pathway and have been previously detected in other food and feed commodities along with AFs …”

Scaling-Up the Impact of Aflatoxin Research in Africa. The Role of Social Sciences

“…There is a need to better understand the contamination of sunflower seeds and cakes related to the average consumption of sunflower seed products by humans and animals [15]. A study on sugarcane and its secondary products in Egypt detected multiple mycotoxins even when processed into juice [16]. In Egypt, sugarcane is an important economic crop with a multitude of sugarcane products.…”

“…Other derivatives are insecticides, detergents, and molasses made from sugarcane, but also chipboard, paper, and some chemicals, paints, plastics, and fiber. More research is needed to know whether mycotoxins pose a risk in these secondary products [16]. …”

Awareness and Prevalence of Mycotoxin Contamination in Selected Nigerian Fermented Foods

“…However, in recent years, increasing reports on the prevalence of multiple mycotoxins in foods consumed in SSA [8,9,11,13,14,15,16,17] suggests that only minimal efforts are deployed towards mycotoxin management particularly amongst food processors and sellers. Though, their main goal is to generate income, chances are high that adequate understanding of health implications of mycotoxin contamination through experiential learning will prompt behavioral changes and the enactment of necessary mitigation actions.…”