1,721,001 research outputs found
Masked mycotoxins: An emerging issue that makes renegotiable what is ordinary
No full textThe masked mycotoxins issue is of increasing relevance in the field of food safety. Although under discussion, regulations are still to be set due to the lack of proper toxicological data. In this communication, we discuss the unmet needs to support regulatory bodies in the decision making on this class of compound
In silico analysis sheds light on the structural basis underlying the ribotoxicity of trichothecenes—A tool for supporting the hazard identification process
No full textAn in silico perspective on the toxicodynamic of tetrodotoxin and analogues – A tool for supporting the hazard identification
No full textForthcoming Challenges in Mycotoxins Toxicology Research for Safer Food—A Need for Multi-Omics Approach
Full text linkThe presence of mycotoxins in food represents a severe threat for public health and welfare, and poses relevant research challenges in the food toxicology field. Nowadays, food toxicologists have to provide answers to food-related toxicological issues, but at the same time they should provide the appropriate knowledge in background to effectively support the evidence-based decision-making in food safety. Therefore, keeping in mind that regulatory actions should be based on sound scientific findings, the present opinion addresses the main challenges in providing reliable data for supporting the risk assessment of foodborne mycotoxins
Mechanisms of Fumonisin B1 Toxicity: A Computational Perspective beyond the Ceramide Synthases Inhibition
No full textFumonisins are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fujikuroi species complex that may contaminate food and feed threatening human and animal health. Among the fumonisins group, fumonisin B1 is the most widespread and best characterized in terms of toxicity, while additional toxicological data on its congeners, such as N-acylated and hydrolyzed forms, need to be collected to support the group-based risk assessment. The inhibition of ceramide synthase has been identified as the key molecular mechanism of fumonisins toxicity resulting in modifications of sphingolipids rheostat. However, the existence of ancillary mechanisms and biological targets are likely to occur given the growing number of evidence reporting the multitarget mechanisms of mycotoxins toxicity. Therefore, in the framework of the early warning analysis of multitarget toxicity of fumonisins group, the present study aimed at searching potential targets for future hazard characterization studies of fumonisin B1 and its hydrolyzed and N-acetylated forms. In particular, on the basis of structural analogies with known inhibitors, the molecular interaction between N-acylated and hydrolyzed forms of fumonisin B1 and either ceramide transfer protein or sphingosine kinase I was assessed with a molecular modeling study. Our results pointed out that the molecular features of N-acylated hydrolyzed fumonisin B1 and hydrolyzed fumonisin B1 may allow the interaction with the ceramide transfer protein and with the sphingosine kinase I enzyme, respectively. Overall, our results identified such proteins as relevant targets that might take part in fumonisins group toxicity, adding plausible mechanistic insights to better understand fumonisins toxicity. Moreover, possible divergences in the mechanisms of action of fumonisin B1 and its modified forms were identified pointing out the need to assess their relevance with high priority to enhance the understanding of group toxicity
A systematic review of natural toxins occurrence in plant commodities used for plant-based meat alternatives production
Full text linkThe ongoing shift from traditional diets to plant-based meat alternatives is governed by the friendly-character related to consumers' health and environment. However, the beneficial aspects of meat alternatives overshadow the possible adverse effects that accompany them. The present systematic review shows that the contamination of the most common plant-based meat alternatives, soybean, chickpea, pea, and seitan with mycotoxins is understudied or not studied at all. Even though they are toxic and were found in soy-based food, tropane and beta-carboline alkaloids contamination data in plant-based meat alternatives is also lacking. Mycotoxin mixtures that can have additive or synergistic toxic effects have been found in multiple soy-based food, revealing the high risk that consumers expose themselves to. To better understand the risks that come along with the shift to plant-based meat diets, future research is needed regarding contamination data of plant-based meat alternatives with natural toxins. Maximum limits for contaminants found in plant-based meat alternatives need to be established by the European Commission in order to ensure consumers' food safety
How D-amino acids embedded in the protein sequence modify its digestibility: Behaviour of digestive enzymes tested on a model peptide used as target
No full textD-amino acids can affect the action of digestive enzymes, hence the protein digestion. In this work the behaviour of the main stomach and gut digestive enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) in the presence of D-amino acids in the protein chain was monitored over time using a model peptide, Ac-LDAQSAPLRVYVE-NH2 (belonging to β-lactoglobulin, position 48-60), where L-amino acids were systematically substituted by D-amino acids. The results showed several changes in the behaviour of digestive enzymes, not only when the D-amino acids are inserted at the specific cleavage sites (after Val-57), but in some cases also when in distant positions. The effect seemed more pronounced in the case of pepsin rather than the gut enzymes, possibly indicating a better resilience of the upper gut phase of digestion to racemization. These results demonstrated that racemization could impair nutritional value by slowing down digestibility and has different effects according to the enzyme/amino acids involved
Integrated In Silico – In Vitro Study Investigating Dipeptides as Chorismate Synthase Modulators: Spotlight on Its Mechanism of Action
No full textCampylobacter jejuni is a widespread foodborne pathogen causing campylobacteriosis, a disease leading to diarrhea, fever, and gastroenteritis, able to adapt to many niches. Here, we present a hybrid in silico/in vitro study investigating the modulation of C. jejuni chorismate synthase by peptides. This enzyme belongs to the shikimate pathway, and it is an interesting target for selective growth modulation, being crucial for bacteria but not present in animals. To account for the identification of "natural" modulators, a library of 400 dipeptides is screened in silico through docking and molecular dynamics simulations to identify possible inhibiting sequences. The dipeptide glutamate-aspartate (ED) stood out, emulating the pharmacophoric fingerprint and interaction of the enzyme's natural substrate. Serendipitously, in vitro trials revealed ED as an activity enhancer. Considering the growth of C. jejuni in protein-rich matrices, this outlined a possibly relevant matrix-dependent effect worthy of dedicated investigations. The underpinning mechanisms are computationally investigated, describing possible ED-dependent effects on substrate/product turnover and enzyme structural stability. This study deepened the understanding of chorismate synthase and opened new directions in designing food-grade peptide-based modulators. This may provide ground to improve controlling bacterial growth in diverse contexts, including food safety and environmental/agricultural hygiene
A computational study toward the “personalized” activity of alternariol – Does it matter for safe food at individual level?
No full textMycotoxins in food may threat public health at a global scale. However, for most of them, the current body of knowledge does not support a proper risk assessment and more data are needed to clarify their toxicity. In particular, the assessment of “personalized” action may succeed in understanding and counteracting the effects of many toxicants. Therefore, the assessment of “personalized” toxicology of mycotoxins might deserve attention to foster the understanding of their mechanisms of toxicity and to eventually improve the assessment of risk. This work dealt with the early warning analysis of possible differences in eliciting androgenic stimuli by alternariol, a widespread mycotoxin produce by Alternaria species, when mutations on the androgen receptor occur. It was applied a computational study based on docking simulations, pharmacophore modeling and molecular dynamics to assess the capability of alternariol to interact with the androgen receptor bearing the M749I substitution – which confers insensitivity to androgens stimulation. The results collected pointed to possible “protective” effects against alternariol suggesting: i) the likely existence of inter-individual responses to alternariol stimulation; ii) the meaningfulness of collecting data on “personalized” response to mycotoxins toward a more precise paradigm addressing the risk assessment at the individual level
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