5-n-alkylresorcinols of whole grain cereals and whole grain cereal products as biomarkers of healthy food

Epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of whole grain cereals and whole grain cereal products have many benefical health effects, including reducing risk of diabetes, obesity, coronary heart diseases, stroke and even some cancers. Precise knowledge protective compounds present in cereal grains can be achieved only when specific biomarkers (biological marker, indicator), that could provide estimation of grain cereals absorption and intake, are established and determined. 5-n-alkylresorcinols (main fraction of phenolic compounds in cereals), because of their specific occurrence only in bran fraction, obtained in refining of milling fractions process, could be a very good candidate to play the role of biomarker of whole grain intake. They are absorbed by animals and humans, present in human plasma and as metabolites in urine. Because composition of saturated homologues of 5-n-alkylresorcinols is different in rye and wheat grains, they could be used as an indicator of the intake of the specific type of cereals and whole grain cereal products.     

Mycotoxins in several Polish food products in 2004–2005

In 2004–2005, samples of several selected Polish foods such as cereal products, nuts, dried fruits, coffee and culinary spices collected from Warsaw market and taken from food producers were analyzed on presence of aflatoxin B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂ (AF), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON). After extraction and clean-up of extracts on immunoaffinity columns (IAC), mycotoxin analyses were carried out by HPLC using fluorescence and UV detectors. The concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A depending on the kind of sample ranged from 0.02 to 7.8 (one sample, of peanuts) and 0.02–11.9 μg/kg (one coffee sample), respectively. The levels of ZEA and DON were found to be below 50 °g/kg.     

Production of Ochratoxins in Different Cereal Products by Aspergillus ochraceus

The effects of temperature and length of incubation on ochratoxin A production in various substrates were studied. The optimal temperature for toxin production by Aspergillus ochraceus NRRL-3174 was found to be around 28 C. Very low levels of ochratoxin A are produced in corn, rice, and wheat bran at 4 C. The optimal time for ochratoxin A production depends on the substrate, ranging from 7 to 14 days at 28 C. Ochratoxin B and dihydroisocoumaric acid, i.e., one of the hydrolysis products of ochratoxin A, were produced in rice but at levels considerably lower than ochratoxin A. No ochratoxin C was produced in rice at 28 C. When added to rice cereal or oatmeal, the toxin was found to be very stable over prolonged storage and even to autoclaving for 3 hr.     

Population structure,colonization processes and barriers for dispersal in Polish common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus)

The phylogeographic relationships of common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) populations in Poland were determined by the analysis of three partial mtDNA sequences: control region, cytochrome b and 16S rRNA. A phylogenetic tree as well as parsimony network, consistently separate Polish common hamsters into two groups: E1 being so far specific for the area of Poland, and P3 which clusters inside a Pannonian lineage, previously described from the Carpathian Basin. Polish hamsters do not share any haplotypes with the ‘North’– lineage from Germany and Western Europe, although Poland most likely represents the main migration corridor from the eastern distribution centre to the western boundary of the species range. Fossil and DNA data indicate a very recent appearance of the E1 lineage in the Polish Uplands, probably at the very end of the last glaciation. On the other hand, the Pannonian group entered southern Poland as early as the second stadial of the last glaciation (Middle Vistulian 53.35 ka). The hamster lineages in Poland seem to show different population structures and demographic histories.     

Distribution of frit flies (Chloropidae: Meromyza Mg.) in Vologda oblast and East Poland

Species diversity and abundance of frit flies from the genus Meromyza have been assessed in coastal biotopes, grasslands, and agro-ecosystems of Vologda oblast (Russia) and Warsaw province (Poland). The Jaccard quotient of similarity (IG) of frit fly abundance has shown a uniformity between coastal banks and grasslands along these banks, as well as between cultivated cereals (except for oats) and field boundaries, cultivated fields, and some reach-in-herbs grasslands, including hayfields. Considerable heterogeneity of species composition of the flies has been revealed in similar biotopes. The biotopes studied have been found to be dominated by one species of frit flies. It has been discovered that cereal rotation in agro-ecosystem results in change in the dominant species of frit fly. The cereal height has been found to influence the abundance and diversity of frit flies. No regularities have been observed in the correlation between the abundances of frit flies in different biotopes. It has been pointed out that M. nigriseta Fed. and M. variegata Mg. can feed on cultivated cereals.     

Gesetzliche Regelungen für Mykotoxine in Lebensmitteln (Official Regulations on Mycotoxins in Food)

When establishing maximum limits, in addition to issues relating to preventive consumer protection and toxicological data on risk assessment, sampling procedures and methods of analysis, as well as economic and political aspects have to be considered. Therefore, various and diverse organizations tend to be involved in the process of establishing maximum limits. Specifically, the following are responsible for the toxicological evaluation of the substances in question: International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC), Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), and, within the Commission of the European Communities, the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF). The interests of world-wide trade are looked after by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the Codex Committee of Food Additives and Contaminants, and the World Trade Organisation, WTO. On the basis of Commission Regulation (EC) no. 315/93, in 2001 the EU has adopted Commission Regulation (EC) no. 466/2001 on contaminants establishing maximum limits for nitrates, heavy metals, 3-monochlor-propan-1,2-diol, and aflatoxins in foods (peanuts, nuts, dried fruits, cereal/cereal products). In February 2002, this Regulation has been completed by Regulation (EC) no. 257/2002 (aflatoxins in cereals), and in March 2002 by Regulation (EC) no. 472/2002 (aflatoxins in spices and ochratoxin A in cereals and dried grapes). Reference is made to other mycotoxins the levels of which in certain foods should be the subject of future regulations.     

赭曲霉毒素A和玉米赤霉烯酮-二联胶体金免疫层析试纸条的制备及应用

【背景】真菌毒素为真菌的有毒次级代谢产物,混合污染时毒性显著增强,可对人类和动物健康造成严重伤害。制备二联胶体金免疫层析试纸条,实现对常见真菌毒素混合污染的快速监测,具有重要意义。【目的】制备赭曲霉毒素A (Ochratoxin A,OTA)和玉米赤霉烯酮(Zeralenone,ZEN)金标单克隆抗体,基于免疫层析原理,采用竞争反应模式,建立二联胶体金免疫层析检测法用于污染样品中OTA和ZEN的同时快速检测。【方法】采用柠檬酸钠还原法制备胶体金颗粒,并标记获得两种真菌毒素金标单克隆抗体,通过优化相关条件,建立稳定的二联胶体金免疫层析检测方法,用于同时检测谷物和饲料样品中的OTA和ZEN。【结果】制备的OTA和ZEN二联胶体金试纸条对OTA和ZEN的检测限分别为0.625 ng/mL和1.25 ng/mL,且与谷物和饲料中其它真菌毒素(黄曲霉毒素B1、伏马毒素B1、桔青霉毒素、展青霉毒素和呕吐毒素)均无交叉反应,人工添加试验结果准确。对天然样本检测结果表明该方法与LC-MS/MS一致性良好。【结论】本研究制备的二联胶体金试纸条可用于实际样品中OTA和ZEN的同时快速筛查。     

Monitoring of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in cereals and cereal products from the state of Saxony-Anhalt,Germany

A Fusarium and Fusarium toxin monitoring programme has been established within the food and feed control authorities of Saxony-Anhalt for the 2001–2003 period. The first results of the deoxynivalenol analyses of cereals and cereal products with assured origin in this federal state, showed a contamination rate of 42% for wheat and wheat products. The contamination incidence reached only 14% in rye and rye products. Zearalenone couldn't be detected at all in the analyzed samples.     

Mycotoxins in organic and conventional cereals and cereal products grown and marketed in Croatia

In this study, the levels of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FUM) in unprocessed cereals (n = 189) and cereal-based products (n = 61) were determined using validated ELISA methods. All samples originated from either conventional or organic production corresponded to the 2015 harvest in Croatia. Based on the mean mycotoxin concentrations, the risk for the consumer to exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for these toxins by the consumption of both types of cereals and cereal-based products was assessed. Mycotoxin contamination of organic cereals and organic cereal-based products was not significantly different (p > 0.05). Given that the exposure assessment resulted in a small fraction of the TDI (maximum: DON, 12% of TDI), the levels of the investigated mycotoxins in both types of cereals and cereal-based products from the 2015 harvest did not pose a human health hazard.     

Penicillium verrucosum in wheat and barley indicates presence of ochratoxin A

AIMS: The aims of this study were to isolate and identify ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungi in cereals containing OTA and to determine the best selective and indicative medium for recovery of OTA producing fungi. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-six wheat, barley and rye samples from Europe containing OTA and 17 samples without OTA were investigated using three different media, dichloran yeast sucrose agar (DYSG), dichloran rose bengal yeast extract sucrose agar (DRYES) and dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18). Hundred kernels were plated on each medium and the kind and number of fungal OTA producers were recorded as percentage of infestation. Penicillium verrucosum was the sole OTA producer found in cereals. The average percentage of infestation of P. verrucosum counts was recorded as 28.3% on DYSG, 10.3% on DRYES and 9.9% on DG18 on the OTA containing samples and 0.8% on DYSG, 0.4% on DRYES and 0.6% on DG18 for the samples without OTA. CONCLUSIONS: Penicillium verrucosum was the sole OTA producer in European cereals. Determination of P. verrucosum infestation and infection was best detected on DYSG after 7 days at 20 degrees C. The percentage of infestation of P. verrucosum found on DYSG and OTA content in cereals were correlated. More than 7% infestation of P. verrucosum indicated OTA contamination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The developed method could be used as a cereal quality control.     

Cereal/legume rotations affect chemical properties and biological activities in two West African soils

A more widespread use of cereal/legume rotations has been suggested as a means to sustainably meet increasing food demands in sub-Saharan West Africa. Enhanced cereal yields following legumes have been attributed to chemical and biological factors such as higher levels of mineral nitrogen (N_min) and arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) but also to lower amounts of plant parasitic nematodes. This study was conducted under controlled conditions to examine the relative contribution of AM, plant parasitic nematodes and increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability to cereal/legume rotation effects on two West African soils. Sample soils were taken from field experiments at Gaya (Niger) and Fada (Burkina Faso) supporting continuous cereal and cereal/legume rotation systems and analysed for chemical and biological parameters. Average increases in cereal shoot dry matter (DM) of rotation cereals compared with continuous cereals were 490% at Gaya and 550% at Fada. Shoot P concentration of rotation millet was significantly higher than in continuous millet and P uptake in rotation cereals was on average 62.5-fold higher than in continuous cereals. Rotation rhizosphere soils also had higher pH at both sites. For the Fada soil, large increases in Bray1-P and organic P were observed in bulk and rhizosphere soils. Plant parasitic nematodes in roots of continuous cereals were 60–80-fold higher than in those of rotation cereals. In both cropping systems mycorrhizal infection rates were similar at 37 days after sowing (DAS) but at 57 DAS AM infection was 10–15% higher in rotation sorghum than in continuous sorghum. This study provides strong evidence that cereal/legume rotations can enhance P nutrition of cereals through improved soil chemical P availability and microbiologically increased P uptake.     

Ochratoxin A producing Penicillium verrucosum isolates from cereals reveal large AFLP fingerprinting variability

AIMS: To examine if molecular amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting of the only ochratoxin A-producing species in European cereals, Penicillium verrucosum, can be used as a method in hazard analysis using critical control points (HACCP). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 321 isolates of P. verrucosum were isolated from ochratoxin A-contaminated cereals from Denmark (oats), UK (wheat and barley) and Sweden (wheat). Of these, 236 produced ochratoxin A as determined by thin layer chromatography; 185 ochratoxin A-producing isolates were selected for AFLP fingerprinting. A total of 138 isolates had unique AFLP patterns, whereas 52 isolates could be allocated to small groups containing from two to four isolates with similar AFLP patterns. A total of 155 clones were found among the 185 P. verrucosum isolates, thus 84% of the isolates may represent different genets of P. verrucosum. As the few isolates that were grouped often came from the same farm, and those groups that contained AFLP-identical isolates from different countries were morphotypically different. On single farms up to 35 clones were found. The few groups of ramets from the same genet indicated that a HACCP approach based on clones may require a very large number of AFLP analysis to work in practice, we recommend basing the HACCP approach on the actual species P. verrucosum. A more detailed characterization should rather be based on the profile of species present at different control points, or analysis of the mycotoxins ochratoxin A and citrinin in the isolates. Examination of 86 isolates with HPLC and diode array detection of P. verrucosum showed that 66% produced ochratoxin A, 87% produced citrinin, 92% produced verrucin and 100% produced verrucolone. CONCLUSIONS: Among 184 ochratoxin A-producing Penicillium verrucosum, 155 clonal lineages were indicated by AFLP fingerprinting, indicating a high genetical diversity, yet the species P. verrucosum is phenotypically distinct and valid. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: AFLP fingerprinting of Penicillium verrucosum indicates that genetic recombination takes place in this fungus.     

Comparative study on concentrations of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in kernels of transgenic Bt maize hybrids and nontransgenic maize hybrids

A survey of aflatoxin contamination in selected Colombian foods was conducted over a 12-month period on a total of 248 samples. Samples were collected in supermarkets, retail stores and stock centres and were grouped into five categories: (1) corn and corn products, (2) cereal grains, (3) rice and rice products, (4) legume seeds; and (5) snacks and breakfast cereals. Aflatoxins were identified and quantitated using a liquid chromatographic technique with a limit of detection of 1 ng/g for each aflatoxin. Aflatoxins were detected in 14 of 109 samples of corn and corn products, 4 of 40 samples of rice and rice products, 2 of 30 samples of legume seeds, and 2 of 11 samples of snacks and breakfast cereals. None of the cereal grains samples analysed contained detectable levels of aflatoxins. Twelve of the total of 22 positive samples exceeded the maximum tolerable level of aflatoxin B₁ adopted in most countries (5 ng/g); 10 of these 12 samples corresponded to corn and corn products. The results of the present study indicate that aflatoxin B₁ contamination in certain foods in Colombia is a major public health concern. Continuous monitoring of aflatoxin B₁ levels in Colombian foods is advised.     

Structure and evolution of cereal genomes

The cereal species, of central importance to our diet, began to diverge 50-70 million years ago. For the past few thousand years, these species have undergone largely parallel selection regimes associated with domestication and improvement. The rice genome sequence provides a platform for organizing information about diverse cereals, and together with genetic maps and sequence samples from other cereals is yielding new insights into both the shared and the independent dimensions of cereal evolution. New data and population-based approaches are identifying genes that have been involved in cereal improvement. Reduced-representation sequencing promises to accelerate gene discovery in many large-genome cereals, and to better link the under-explored genomes of 'orphan' cereals with state-of-the-art knowledge.     

Dietary Intake of Whole and Refined Grain Breakfast Cereals and Weight Gain in Men

Objective: Prospective studies have suggested that substituting whole grain for refined grain products may lower the risk of overweight and obesity. Breakfast cereal intake is a major source of whole and refined grains and has also been associated with having a lower BMI. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the association between whole and refined grain breakfast cereal intakes and risk of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and weight gain. Research Methods and Procedures: We examined 17, 881 U.S. male physicians 40 to 84 years of age in 1982 who were free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer at baseline and reported measures of breakfast cereal intake, weight, and height. Results: Over 8 and 13 years of follow‐up, respectively, men who consumed breakfast cereal, regardless of type, consistently weighed less than those who consumed breakfast cereals less often (p value for trend = 0.01). Whole and refined grain breakfast cereal intake was inversely associated with body weight gain over 8 years, after adjustment for age, smoking, baseline BMI, alcohol intake, physical activity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and use of multivitamins. Compared with men who rarely or never consumed breakfast cereals, those who consumed ≥1 serving/d of breakfast cereals were 22% and 12% less likely to become overweight during follow‐up periods of 8 and 13 years (relative risk, 0.78 and 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.67 to 0.91 and 0.76 to 1.00, respectively). Discussion: BMI and weight gain were inversely associated with intake of breakfast cereals, independently of other risk factors.     

Food analysis within the<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> toxin monitoring programme of Saxony-Anhalt

A 3 yearFusarium andFusarium toxin monitoring programme was established within the food and feed control authorities of Saxony-Anhalt in 2001. The first year’s results of the analysis of deoxynivalenol in cereals and cereal products with assured origin in this federal state, showed a contamination rate of 24% for wheat and wheat products. The contamination incidence reached only 8% in rye and rye products, whereas it was 17% for barley and its products including beer. Zearalenone could be detected only in 2 of 162 analysed samples.     

Agricultural activities and land use in a Neolithic village around 3900 B.C.: Hornstaad Hörnle I A, Lake Constance, Germany

The archaeobotanical investigations in the Neolithic pile settlement of Hornstaad Hörnle I A, Lake Constance, Germany (3919–3905 cal B.C.) has answered many questions concerning agricultural activities and land use in Neolithic times. Very large carbonized stores of unthreshed cereals there showed that every household had 210–280 kg of naked wheat, einkorn, barley and emmer. As most of the wild plant remains in the cereal stores were from annual field weeds it is concluded that the arable land was cultivated continuously, probably for the whole duration of the settlement's occupation. No hints of short or long period fallows were found. Intensive soil treatment such as hoeing and digging is indicated by the rarity of perennial weeds. Because of the high quality of the cultivated soils, manuring was not necessary. The cereals were harvested high on the culm, and the harvest was first stored unthreshed, probably to dry it completely. Every house (family) had its own cereal stores with various cereals. Naked wheat and probably naked barley were threshed outside the settlement, while dehusking of einkorn and probably of emmer took place inside the village. Evidence of cereal cleaning, winnowing, sieving and sorting by hand were found. More than 700 carbonized remains of food products showed that porridge made from ground and shredded wheat was one of the main foods in the settlement.     

Homogeneity and distinctiveness of Polish paternal lineages revealed by Y chromosome microsatellite haplotype analysis

Different regional populations from Poland were studied in order to assess the genetic heterogeneity within Poland, investigate the genetic relationships with other European populations and provide a population-specific reference database for anthropological and forensic studies. Nine Y-chromosomal microsatellites were analysed in a total of 919 unrelated males from six regions of Poland and in 1,273 male individuals from nine other European populations. AMOVA revealed that all of the molecular variation in the Polish dataset is due to variation within populations, and no variation was detected among populations of different regions of Poland. However, in the non-Polish European dataset 9.3% ( P<0.0001) of the total variation was due to differences among populations. Consequently, differences in R(ST)-values between all possible pairs of Polish populations were not statistically significant, whereas significant differences were observed in nearly all comparisons of Polish and non-Polish European populations. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated tight clustering of Polish populations separated from non-Polish groups. Population clustering based on Y-STR haplotypes generally correlates well with the geography and history of the region. Thus, our data are consistent with the assumption of homogeneity of present-day paternal lineages within Poland and their distinctiveness from other parts of Europe, at least in respect to their Y-STR haplotypes. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00439-002-0728-0.     

Herbals and Other Botanical Works of the Polish Renaissance - Present State and Prospects for Research

Summary

The Polish botanical literature of the Renaissance, comprising herbals and catalogues of plants published in Polish and in Latin, is hardly known outside Poland. Publication of these works was connected with the rise of science at the University of Cracow (Kraków) founded in 1364. Between 1534 and 1613, three herbals came from the Cracow presses: O Zio?ach i mocy Ich (On herbs and their power) by Stefan Falimirz (1st edition, 1534), Herbarz Polski (The Polish Herbal) by Marcin of Urzedów (1595) and Zielnik (The Herbal) by Szymon Syreniusz(1613). Besides, lists of plants occurring in Poland (Schneeberger, 1557; Wigand, 1590; Joannicy, 1616) appeared. Polish botanical literature of the Renaissance comparable with contemporary works such as those of William Turner and John Gerard, included the first floristic records from Poland, ecological notes, information about herbal drugs and also on old Slavonic beliefs about plants. A modern study on the botanical contents of the Renaissance literature should now be undertaken, embracing determination of the plants described by the herbalist, and analysis of the beginnings of scientific botany in Poland. Interdisciplinary studies on the herbals from the point of view of the history of pharmacy, ethnology, linguistics and history of culture are also needed.     

Deoxynivalenol,zearalenone, ochratoxin A: Quality of feed cereals

In order to determine the distribution of mycotoxin contamination in Bavaria, Germany, and to control the quality of feed cereals the three toxins, deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEA) from 5 different cereals out of 5 districts were analysed. Our investigation demonstrates that all data are near the discussed guide values thus the quality of cereals was not affected seriously in 1999. Calculating the medians for the 5 districts separately it was possible to establish a rough grid revealing a more detailed view on the mycotoxin situation in Bavaria.