Ochratoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that may contaminate various foods and beverages. Ochratoxins may undergo bio-concentration in some animal tissues/organs and reach concentrations in meat products that are not acceptable for human consumption. The intake of ochratoxins by humans may result in typical syndromes (nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and immunotoxicity) and has been associated with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. In this study we evaluated the effects and the dynamics of accumulation of ochratoxin A in the organs and tissues after prolonged exposure (40 days) in broilers through their productive cycle. Cytological and histological examinations revealed severe alterations in the hepatic and renal tissues only in animals fed with high dosages (200 μg/kg) of ochratoxin A. But the toxin was detected at levels of 0.78-2.15 μg/kg at day 10 in the tissues of animals that were given feed containing 100 μg/kg, a dosage of ochratoxin A admitted by the current EU recommendation and Italian legislation, and that did not display gross or histo-pathological lesions. Consumption of ochratoxin A-contaminated avian meat, containing such ochratoxin concentrations, could pose a health risk for some human categories. Intensification of surveillance for fungal toxins in animal feeds is advisable in order to understand and prevent this risk.

Ochratoxin A in avicultural meat production: chemical and histological effects

BOZZO, GIANCARLO;CECI, Edmondo;BONERBA, ELISABETTA;MARTELLA, Vito;TANTILLO, Giuseppina
2009-01-01

Abstract

Ochratoxins are fungal secondary metabolites that may contaminate various foods and beverages. Ochratoxins may undergo bio-concentration in some animal tissues/organs and reach concentrations in meat products that are not acceptable for human consumption. The intake of ochratoxins by humans may result in typical syndromes (nephrotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and immunotoxicity) and has been associated with Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. In this study we evaluated the effects and the dynamics of accumulation of ochratoxin A in the organs and tissues after prolonged exposure (40 days) in broilers through their productive cycle. Cytological and histological examinations revealed severe alterations in the hepatic and renal tissues only in animals fed with high dosages (200 μg/kg) of ochratoxin A. But the toxin was detected at levels of 0.78-2.15 μg/kg at day 10 in the tissues of animals that were given feed containing 100 μg/kg, a dosage of ochratoxin A admitted by the current EU recommendation and Italian legislation, and that did not display gross or histo-pathological lesions. Consumption of ochratoxin A-contaminated avian meat, containing such ochratoxin concentrations, could pose a health risk for some human categories. Intensification of surveillance for fungal toxins in animal feeds is advisable in order to understand and prevent this risk.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11586/117624
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