SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-274

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Project code: 3-01-274


Micromycetes and Influence of Their Toxins on Human and Animals Health


Main researcher: PEPELJNJAK, STJEPAN (36114)


Assistants
Type of research: basic
Duration from: 03/01/91. to 03/31/93.
Papers on project (total): 19
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 6
Institution name: Farmaceutsko-biokemijski fakultet, Zagreb (6)
Department/Institute: Department of microbiology FBF
Address: Kneza Mislava 11/1
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0) 41 410 457
Fax: 385 (0) 41 445 117
Phone: 385 (0)
Phone: 385 (0)
Summary: It was investigated distribution spores of toxicogenic moulds in the air on different climatic zones of Croatia and it was found out their frequency. It was proved that relative low number of Aspergillus strains ( A. versicolor, A.flavus) produce the sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin (11,4%). Other aflatoxins B2,G1 and G2, and ochratoxin A are not detected.Also were found to produce the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid from A. flavus strains isolated from beans, maize, and smoked-dried meat products. It was worked out " screening" method for collectively detecting of trichothecenes, their isolation by modified multitoxin method of Balzer at al.(1978.), and their semiquantification (growth inhibition effect) on microorganisms Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Staphylococcus aureus, and skin irritating test on rabbit and guinea pig. It was also determined a high level of mycotoxicological risk for people and animals in the area of endemic nephropathy in Croatia that was conditioned by the prominent contamination of stored graines and beans by moulds. By biological assay there was proved that relatively low concentrations of OA over 30 days cause ochratoxicosis in guinea pigs and rats, which is manifested in that form of early disfunction of cells that can be observed by the evident changes of enzymatic activity of AAP, GGT and ALP,and Na, K-ATPase activity in rat proximal tubules.Histopathological changes were found in the liver, the kidneys and the intestine. Gamma irradiation in preventive of development of moulds, significant antifungal effect of natural substances berberine-chloride, berberine and ethanolic extract of Micromeria thymifolia oil is discussed.

Keywords: moulds, cereals, food, mycotoxins, TLC, GC-MS, ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, cyclopiazonic acid, endemic nephropathy, experimental ochratoxicosis, histopathological changes, enzymatic activity, gamma radiation, antifungal activity, zearalenon, diacetoxiscirpenol, nivalenol, deoxinivalenol, berberin, essential oils, Micromeria thymifolia, pulegon.

Research goals: To investigate distribution of toxicogenic moulds in ecosphereand in storehouse, and discovery on mycotoxins in cereals and food too.To determine the parameters which will make a contribution to understand the role of moulds or their toxic metabolites in the etiology of endemic nephropathy,gastrointestinal diseases, parenchymatous organs in man and animals, as well as the development of appropriate preventive.Distribution of toxicogenic moulds on nephropathic and non-nephropatic areas will be carried out by biosynthesis on hard and fluid medium.Isolation and detection of ochratoxin A(OA), aflatoxins (AF), zearalenon (ZEN), trichothecenes and other mycotoxins will be done by TLC, GC and preparation chromatography methods. The activity of OA test on bacterial cultures, and histopathological and enzymatic activity of OA is investigated on experimental animals.

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: Zavod za biokemiju FBF-a
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  2. Name of institution: Zavod za farmakognoziju FBF-a
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  3. Name of institution: Veterinarski fakultet
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  4. Name of institution: Institut "Ruđer Bošković"
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  5. Name of institution: Institut za medicinska istraživanja
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

  6. Name of institution: Department of Toxicology and Microbial Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University,
    Type of institution: University/Faculty
    City: Tokyo, Japan

  7. Name of institution: Division of Food Chemistry,Public Health Research Institute of Kobe City
    City: Kobe, Japan

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: Sojevi toksikogenih vrsta plijesni sabrani u mikološkoj kolekciji Zavoda za mikrobiologiju FBF-a
    Type of achievement: Technology
    Authors: Pepeljnjak Stjepan,prof.dr.sci., Cvetnić Zdenka,doc.dr.sci.
Other information about the project.
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