A Focus on Aflatoxin in Feedstuffs: New Developments in Analysis and Detection, Feed Composition Affecting Toxin Contamination, and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Mitigate It

Aflatoxins are mold-synthetized secondary metabolites that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals. Aflatoxins hold a prominent place in the discussion on feed safety as are the only mycotoxins with the regulatory framework. Feed ingredients and composition inevitably affect the susceptibility of feed to fungal and toxin contamination. To verify that legal thresholds are being complied, avoiding delivering contaminated feed to animals, and obtain correct prevalence data, analytical methods must be developed which are apt for application on a complex matrix such as animal feed. These methods should include simple screening assays and high-end confirmatory ones. Laboratories without expensive equipment can and should be able to implement methods and to analyze and detect aflatoxins. Aflatoxin contamination is a complex issue that should be assessed interdisciplinarily and farm-to-fork models should be integrated into vigilance. In this chapter, we have devoted some lines to each of the aspects mentioned above focusing on feed aflatoxin contamination

Insights into the Interaction of Milk and Dairy Proteins with Aflatoxin M1

In this chapter, up-to-date data regarding the nature of protein interaction with a contaminant such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is detailed. Considering that AFM1 is a relevant toxin present in milk and dairy products, it is important to understand such interaction. With this in mind, some specific features of protein chemistry and structure are discussed. AFM1 presence and origin in milk and the latest approaches in AFM1 chemical analysis with special attention to sample preparation techniques to eliminate milk protein–AFM1 interaction will also be addressed. Emphasis will be given to the interaction of AFM1 with whey proteins of which little has been described. In order to represent such interactions, recent scientific evidence is briefly discussed which describes the outcome, stability, and distribution of the toxin among the fractions, especially during the cheese-making process. An in silico model is presented in which some details of the AFM1-protein interactions are described. Finally, two technological applications of proteins in the food industry which are affected negatively by AFM1 contamination, are provided as an example of how the contaminant has a deep relationship in protein behaviour

A Review on Phytochemicals (Including Essential Oils and Extracts) Inclusion in Feed and Their Effects on Food Producing Animals

This report is intended to give an overlook at the essential oil and phytochemical applications on food producing animals when applied to feed. The first part aims to illustrate that gas chromatography coupled with mass detection (GC/MS) has become powerful tool for phytochemistry and some examples of typical constituents found in essential oils; relevant cases are mentioned (especially those oils extracted from plants found in tropical regions). Secondly, a brief overview of the most recent research encompassing the in vitro ability of some essential oils and phytochemicals to limit food borne bacterial growth is depicted. Finally, herein the reader will find some recent and relevant examples of essential oils and phytochemicals that are commonly used as additives in the feed, based on their beneficial properties for the animal (with particular attention as potential substitutes for antibiotic growth promoters). Hence, the review focuses specifically on three parts: i. chemical composition and analysis of plant derived active substances, ii. In vitro antimicrobial activity of plant derived substances and, iii. essential oils and extracts applications in feed including poultry, cattle, rabbits, fish, pigs, and examples of other species.Universidad de Costa Rica/[739-B6-257]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA

A Focus on Aflatoxins in Feedstuffs: Levels of Contamination, Prevalence, Control Strategies, and Impacts on Animal Health

Aflatoxins are mold-synthetized secondary metabolites that are ubiquitously present in agricultural commodities, such as cereals which in turn are substantial part of feed formulation. These toxins are capable of causing disease, exert severe toxic effects, and even death in humans and other animals. Aflatoxins are the only mycotoxins with the regulatory framework, hence we present the legal threshold uphold till now by international and regional control organizations. Additionally, herein we discuss worldwide prevalence of aflatoxins in feeds to demonstrate a global issue and major risks involved in toxin contamination. Furthermore, we present recent data regarding negative effects usually presented by food-producing and companionship animals when ingested. Also, we discuss briefly practical approaches to mitigate aflatoxin burden during feed processing focusing in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) and we include novel approaches reported in literature to decontaminate feed-containing aflatoxins. Finally, we cite the literature so far published describing the effects of changing climate on aflatoxin production and contamination

Tetracyclines in Food and Feedingstuffs: From Regulation to Analytical Methods, Bacterial Resistance, and Environmental and Health Implications

Antibiotics are widely used as growth promoters in animal husbandry; among them, the tetracyclines are a chemical group of relevance, due to their wide use in agriculture, surpassing in quantities applied almost every other antibiotic family. Seeing the considerable amounts of tetracyclines used worldwide, monitoring of these antibiotics is paramount. Advances must be made in the analysis of antibiotics to assess correct usage and dosage of tetracyclines in food and feedstuffs and possible residues in pertinent environmental samples. The tetracyclines are still considered a clinically relevant group of antibiotics, though dissemination of tolerance and resistance determinants have limited their use. This review focuses on four different aspects: (i) tetracyclines, usage, dosages, and regulatory issues that govern their food-related application, with particular attention to the prohibitions and restrictions that several countries have enforced in recent years by agencies from both the United States and the European Union, (ii) analytical methods for tetracyclines, determination, and residues thereof in feedstuffs and related matrices with an emphasis on the most relevant and novel techniques, including both screening and confirmatory methods, (iii) tetracycline resistance and tetracycline-resistant bacteria in feedstuff, and (iv) environmental and health risks accompanying the use of tetracyclines in animal nutrition. In the last two cases, we discuss the more relevant undesirable effects that tetracyclines exert over bacterial communities and nontarget species including unwanted effects in farmers.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET

La integración de los Institutos Nacionales de Educación Física en la universidad (1961-1992)

Estudiamos la evolución de los Institutos Nacionales de Educación Física (INEF) desde su creación en 1961 hasta su incorporación en la universidad en 1992. En esta trayectoria histórica hacemos una segmentación temporal por décadas, cuya justificación hay que buscarla en los hitos legislativos que jalonan el camino hacia la consecución del estatus universitario: Ley de Educación Física de 1961, Ley General de Educación de 1970, Ley General de la Cultura Física y del Deporte de 1980 y Ley del Deporte de 1990. Analizamos el contenido y el desarrollo reglamentario de cada una de las leyes en lo referente a los INEF para mostrar las claves del proceso.We study the evolution of National Intitutes of Physical Education (INEF) from its foundation in 1961 until its incorporation to the university in 1992. We divide this historical development by decades, looking for the justification in the legislative milestones wich mark the way to the obtainment of the university level of the studies: Physical Education Law 1961, General Education Law 1970, General Physical Culture and Sport Law 1980 and Sport Law 1990. We analyze the contents and the regulation development of every law regarding INEF to show the keys of the process

Selenium Concentrations in Serum and its Outputs in Milk and Urine from Grazing Jersey Cow Herds Found in Two Dairy Production Regions from Costa Rica

Objective: The study aimed to determine the concentration of selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum and the Se concentration in milk and urine in grazing Jersey cows in two dairy producing areas of Costa Rica. Methodology: The study was conducted on commercial dairy herds in the highlands of Cartago (≈2250 m of altitude) and Zarcero (≈1750 m of altitude). Cartago cow herds were intensively grazing kikuyu grass (Kikuyuocloa clandestina) and Zarcero cow herds were grazing star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). Daily supplementation in both areas consisted of concentrate (16% CP, 1.81 Mcal NEL) according to milk yield (1 kg concentrate: 3 kg of milk). Blood samples were taken from the coccygeal vessels, milk samples were collected individually during milking from the milk yield meter container and urine was obtained using rubbing stimulation technique. From Cartago area, a total of 102, 139 and 87 samples of blood, milk and urine respectively were collected and analyzed. From Zarcero region 66, 84 and 43 samples in the same order were collected and analyzed. Results: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to determine Se concentration. A total of 85 samples from two farms in each region were tested to determine GSH-Px using a glutathione peroxidase activity colorimetric assay kit. The soil was tested in each farm using a soil auger to obtain 20 subsamples per sample, those subsamples were collected drilling the ground surface to a depth of 10 cm and then mixed to generate a composited sample which was analyzed for Se using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Average serum, milk and urine Se concentration for cows from Cartago and Zarcero were 44.13 (SD = 27.68), 30.94 (SD = 20.13), 78.37 (SD = 60.14) μg Se L–1 and 19.19 (SD = 10.59), 21.82 (SD = 19.07), 14.72 (SD = 6.50) μg Se L–1, respectively. The average GSH-Px concentration in serum was 73.74 and 33.82 for Cartago and Zarcero cows, respectively. Conclusion: High concentrations of selenium in urine in some of the farms and low concentrations of GSH-Px in serum in most of the cows could imply a poor utilization of this mineral, leading to deficiencies to meet metabolic requirements and therefore to associated economic losses.Universidad de Costa Rica/[739-B3-120]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Facultad de Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Escuela de ZootecniaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro de Investigación en Nutrición Animal (CINA

Exposure Assessment and Risk Characterization of Aflatoxin M1 Intake through Consumption of Milk and Yoghurt by Student Population in Serbia and Greece

The objective of this research was to perform an exposure assessment of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) intake through the consumption of milk and yoghurt by the student population in Serbia and Greece. A food consumption survey of milk and yoghurt was performed during the first half of 2018 in the two countries with at least 500 interviewees (aged between 18 and 27 years) per country, covering their dietary habits and body weight based on one-day and seven-day recall methods. Values for the concentration of AFM1 were extracted from published research. Finally, a Monte Carlo analysis of 100,000 iterations was performed to estimate the intake of AFM1 from the consumption of the two dairy products. Results revealed that the estimated average exposure of students to AFM1 was in the range of 1.238-2.674 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1) for Serbia, and 0.350-0.499 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1) for Greece, depending on the dietary recall method employed. High estimations for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases/year/10(5) individuals, depending on the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive individuals (HBsAg+), were 0.0036-0.0047 and 0.0007-0.0009 for Serbia and Greece, respectively. Presented Margin of Exposure (MOE) and Hazard Index (HI) values indicate increased risk from exposure to AFM1, particularly in Serbia

Composition, Chemical Fingerprinting and Antimicrobial Assessment of Costa Rican Cultivated Guavas (Psidium friedrichsthalianum (O. Berg) Nied. and Psidium guajava L.) Essential Oils from Leaves and Fruits

The essential oil of two related tree species, P. friedrichsthalianum and P. guajava, where obtained. A total of six different oil samples were recovered including leaves in dry/rainy season and fruits of both plant species. Oil yields ranged between 0.128% (P. friedrichsthalianum leaves during dry season)-0.743% (P.guajava leaves during rainy season). All extracts were subjected to a GC/MS analysis using, during the chromatographic separation, a polyethylene glycol column. In general terms, we recognized three independent biosynthetic routes i. aromatic compounds ii. Terpenes and iii.Fatty acids derivatives. Several compound were found to be preserved in several of the oils such as 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, α-terpineol and neointermedeol whereas Costa Rican guava fruit exhibit unique compounds such as 2H-pyran-2,6-(3H)-dione. Terpenes and fatty acids are among the most variable (p0.1%) and trace compounds. In addition, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of these essential oils against common foodborne and food-spoilage related bacteria. The rainy season P. guajava leafs’ presented the highest antimicrobial activity against all the bacteria strains tested, with inhibition zones ranging from 31 to 52 mm. This study will help understand volatile composition of a fruit producing plant native from this geographic area and hints toward possible applications.Universidad de Costa Rica/[809-B6-257]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA

Nuevos medios, nuevas prácticas, nueva organización

La sociedad contemporánea precisa una educación también actual, adecuada a las características y necesidades de los implicados, que varían de una época a otra. La escuela, ha de tener en cuenta, especialmente, a los alumnos; ha de preparar a los niños y jóvenes para la vida, en el tiempo que les ha tocado vivir. Es preciso integrar en la práctica educativa los “nuevos medios” (multimedia, audiovisuales, etc.) con sus posibilidades, ventajas e inconvenientes. Como docentes las Tics “nos abren grandes posibilidades, nuevas formas de participación, nuevos contenidos, nuevas herramientas pedagógicas, pero al mismo tiempo… suponen un reto, plantean una necesidad… (un) desafío: educar con ellos, por medio de ellos y para ellos”. (Callejón, 2003). La escuela debe comprometerse e implicarse en el establecimiento y desarrollo de nuevas prácticas educativas, adecuadas a los “nuevos medios”, a las necesidades y conocimientos actuales y para ello se precisa una nueva organización (aunque solo sea del aula). Como ya en 1995 planteaba Pérez Gómez, hay que romper con las estructuras clásicas y los esquemas tradicionales de la escuela. Se hace preciso un espacio que permita el diálogo y no la comunicación unidireccional; que permita la investigación individual y en grupo (y no sólo la simple transmisión de conocimientos…); que integre las posibilidades de las nuevas tecnologías multimedia y audiovisuales, etc.Eje: Organización escolarRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI