In vivo genotoxicity evaluation of cylindrospermopsin in rats using a combined micronucleus and comet assay

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a potent cyanotoxin recognized as an emerging human threat due to its cytotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Although the genotoxicity of CYN has been extensively studied in vitro, limited data are available on its in vivo genotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo genotoxicity of pure CYN (7.5–75 μg/kg body weight) after oral exposure of rats through a combined assay of the micronucleus test (MN) in bone marrow, and the standard and modified comet assay in stomach, liver and blood. Also, histopathological changes in stomach and liver were evaluated. Positive results in the MN test were observed in bone marrow in the exposed rats at all the tested concentrations. However, the comet assay revealed that CYN did not induce DNA strand breaks nor oxidative DNA damage in any of the tissues investigated. Finally, histopathological changes were observed in stomach and liver (7.5–75 μg/kg) in intoxicated rats. These results could indicate that CYN is able to induce irritation in stomach before its biotransformation in rats orally exposed, and genotoxicity in bone marrow.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (AGL2015-64558-R, MINECO/FEDER, UE

Simultaneous determination of Allium compounds (Propyl propane thiosulfonate and thiosulfinate) in animal feed using UPLC-MS/MS

Propyl-propane-thiosulfonate (PTSO) and Propyl-propane-thiosulfinate (PTS) are organosulfur compounds used to supplement the diet of livestock because of their beneficial effects on feed palatability, their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antimethanogenic activities. Besides, antibiotic residues in the environment can be reduced by using these natural bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to optimize the extraction parameters for the analysis of PTSO and PTS in feed matrices by performing a solid-liquid extraction and quantification by Ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Optimization was performed using the Response Surface Methodology on a Box–Behnken experimental design, optimizing the following parameters: solvent:sample ratios and evaporation temperature set for the rotary evaporator. The method was validated for 3 concentration levels for both PTSO (100, 500, 1000 ng g−1) and PTS (500, 1150, 2300 ng g−1). The highest recoveries of PTSO and PTS were obtained using 12.5 mL of 100% acetonitrile, stirring for 15 min, and an evaporation temperature of 20 °C. The validated method was further applied to detect and quantify these compounds in different feed matrices. In conclusion, this is the first study to simultaneously analyze PTSO and PTS at low concentrations, employing a sensitive technique such as UPLC-MS/MS.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RTC-2017-6199-2)Junta de Andalucía (AT-17-5323

Informe del Comité Científico de la Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN) sobre la prospección de peligros químicos de interés en seguridad alimentaria en España

A lo largo de la cadena alimentaria pueden estar presentes, incorporarse o producirse distintos peligros de tipo químico que podrían suponer un riesgo para el consumidor.El Comité Científico ha realizado una revisión de los peligros químicos de mayor interés para la seguridad alimentaria en España que no cuentan con una regulación específica, identificándolos y señalando aquellos alimentos o condiciones que, a priori, podrían implicar un mayor riesgo para el consumidor, con el fin de realizar, eventualmente, estudios prospectivos.En el informe se han contemplado los siguientes peligros químicos y matrices: Cilindrospermop-sina (toxina de cianobacterias) en agua de bebida (no envasada), Cloropropanoles y Glicidol en alimentos infantiles, Furano y derivados en alimentos procesados en general y alimentos infantiles en particular, Hidrocarburos de aceites minerales, Micotoxinas producidas por hongos del género Claviceps en cereales y alimentos derivados, Toxinas de Alternaria en frutas, hortalizas, cereales y tomate, Micotoxinas de Fusarium (Eniatinas, Nivalenol) en cereales y Alcaloides de la pirrolizidina en alimentos infantiles, complementos alimenticios, miel, polen, té, infusiones y cereales.De cada uno de ellos se describe su identificación y caracterización, la evaluación de la exposición, y se incluyen así mismo recomendaciones y consideraciones futuras.Por otro lado, la identificación de nuevos peligros para los que puede producirse una exposición significativa, o la evaluación del riesgo derivado de una exposición o susceptibilidad nuevas o incrementadas significativamente a un peligro conocido es importante, no solo a efectos de un eventual control de estos peligros emergentes, sino también de promover la investigación y mejorar su conocimiento por parte de los consumidores y de la comunidad científica

LEGISLATION, TECHNICAL POTENTIAL AND CONTROL OF IRRADIATED FOOD IN ROMANIA

Knowing the present status and legislative setting of food irradiation in our country is a start point for every researcher who wants to look into ionizing radiation of food practice and control. The paper aims to list the main legislation, to summaries the most important legislative principles, the technical potential and to review the activity of ANSVSA, the Romanian authority in food safety control. The materials reviewed consist of Common order no. 855/98/2002, Common order no. 856/112/2002 and other governmental decisions, normatives and government emergency ordinances related to food irradiation, but also the sites of European Commission and IRASM Technological Irradiations Department, of Horia Hulubei National Institute for Research and Development of Physics and Nuclear Engineering. The conclusion of the study was that Romanian legislation is harmonized with that of the EU and other international guidelines. Additionally, there is technical potential for irradiating foods in the form of IRASM. The control of foods treated with ionizing radiation is performed by ANSVSA supervised by the Ministry of Health

Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on the prospection of biological hazards of interest in food safety in Spain

A lo largo de la cadena alimentaria pueden estar presentes, incorporarse o producirse distintos peligros de tipo químico que podrían suponer un riesgo para el consumidor.El Comité Científico ha realizado una revisión de los peligros químicos de mayor interés para la seguridad alimentaria en España que no cuentan con una regulación específica, identificándolos y señalando aquellos alimentos o condiciones que, a priori, podrían implicar un mayor riesgo para el consumidor, con el fin de realizar, eventualmente, estudios prospectivos.En el informe se han contemplado los siguientes peligros químicos y matrices: Cilindrospermopsina (toxina de cianobacterias) en agua de bebida (no envasada), Cloropropanoles y Glicidol en alimentos infantiles, Furano y derivados en alimentos procesados en general y alimentos infantiles en particular, Hidrocarburos de aceites minerales, Micotoxinas producidas por hongos del género Claviceps en cereales y alimentos derivados, Toxinas de Alternaria en frutas, hortalizas, cereales y tomate, Micotoxinas de Fusarium (Eniatinas, Nivalenol) en cereales y Alcaloides de la pirrolizidina en alimentos infantiles, complementos alimenticios, miel, polen, té, infusiones y cereales.De cada uno de ellos se describe su identificación y caracterización, la evaluación de la exposición, y se incluyen así mismo recomendaciones y consideraciones futuras.Por otro lado, la identificación de nuevos peligros para los que puede producirse una exposición significativa, o la evaluación del riesgo derivado de una exposición o susceptibilidad nuevas o incrementadas significativamente a un peligro conocido es importante, no solo a efectos de un eventual control de estos peligros emergentes, sino también de promover la investigación y mejorar su conocimiento por parte de los consumidores y de la comunidad científica.Along the food chain different chemical hazards may be present, incorporated or produced that could pose a risk to the consumer.The Scientific Committee has reviewed the chemical hazards of most concern for food safety in Spain that are not specifically regulated, identifying them and drawing attention to those foods or conditions which, a priori, may involve a greater risk to consumers, with the purpose of eventually carrying out prospective studies.The following chemical hazards and matrices have been considered in the report: Cylinderper-mopsin (cyanobacteria toxin) in drinking water (not bottled), Chloropropanols and Glycidol in baby food, Furan and derivatives in processed foods in general, and particularly in baby food, Hydrocar-bons of mineral oils, Mycotoxins produced by fungi of the Claviceps genus in cereals and derived foods, Alternaria toxins in fruits, vegetables, cereals and tomatoes, Fusarium mycotoxins (Enniatins, Nivalenol) in cereals and Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in baby food, food supplements, honey, pollen, tea, infusions and cereals. The identification, characterisation, and exposure assessment of each are described, and re-commendations and future considerations are also included.Furthermore, the identification of new hazards which may have a significant exposure, or the risk assessment derived from a new or substantially increased exposure or susceptibility to a known hazard is important in order to not only eventually control these emerging hazards, but to also promote research and improve the knowledge of both consumers and the scientific community