Research Topic: mycotoxins

Mycotoxin contamination in Malawi: A systematic review of progress and trends in contamination, knowledge, attitude, and practices

This review examines mycotoxin (toxic mold) contamination in Malawi and found that most people—farmers, traders, and health workers—don’t know about these dangerous substances or how to prevent them. Although groundnuts and maize are well-studied, other commonly eaten foods like dried fish and mushrooms have been largely ignored in research. Despite years of efforts to educate communities, awareness remains critically low at about 24.5%, and poverty often forces people to eat contaminated food because it’s cheaper.

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Analysis of the correlation between the distribution of microorganisms carried by Coix seed and fungal toxins, and the biological control of aflatoxin

Coix seeds are popular in traditional Chinese medicine and food, but they can become contaminated with harmful fungi that produce toxins called mycotoxins. This study examined which fungi grow in Coix seeds from different regions and found that certain bacteria called Bacillus can effectively prevent dangerous mold from growing and producing toxins. By using these beneficial bacteria, producers can keep Coix seeds safer for people to consume as medicine or food.

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Different metabolite profiles across Penicillium roqueforti populations associated with ecological niche specialisation and domestication

This study examined how different populations of the blue cheese fungus Penicillium roqueforti produce varying amounts of toxic and beneficial compounds depending on their environment. Cheese-making strains were found to produce fewer toxins than strains from spoiled food and lumber, likely due to selective breeding for safer products. The research identified specific genetic mutations that prevent cheese strains from producing certain toxins, helping explain why some cheese strains are safer than others.

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Newly Discovered Fungal Species from Black Pepper Marketed in Brazil: Penicillium pipericola sp. nov. and Syncephalastrum brasiliense sp. nov.

Researchers in Brazil discovered two new fungal species found on commercially sold black pepper. While one species can produce a toxic compound that concerns food safety experts, both species also produce molecules with potential medical benefits, including compounds that may help fight cancer and neurological diseases. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring fungi in food products while also revealing unexpected pharmaceutical potential hidden in everyday spices.

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Identification of an antifungal lipopeptide from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAU3 inhibiting the growth of Fusarium graminearum using preparative chromatography and 2D-NMR

Researchers identified a soil bacterium called Bacillus amyloliquefaciens HAU3 that naturally produces fengycin, a powerful antifungal compound. This compound can kill disease-causing fungi like Fusarium graminearum that contaminate animal feed and produce harmful toxins. The bacteria also breaks down dangerous toxins called zearalenone, making it a potential natural solution for protecting livestock feed from fungal contamination.

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