Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia
Abstract Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks when present in plant-based supplements (PBS), necessitating thorough risk assessment to ensure consumer safety. This study evaluates the health risks associated with mycotoxins, specifically aflatox...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85280-z |
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| author | Rozaini Abdullah Nur Syazwin Kamarozaman Siti Soleha Ab Dullah Mohd Yusmaidie Aziz Hussein Bakheit Adam Aziza |
| author_facet | Rozaini Abdullah Nur Syazwin Kamarozaman Siti Soleha Ab Dullah Mohd Yusmaidie Aziz Hussein Bakheit Adam Aziza |
| author_sort | Rozaini Abdullah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks when present in plant-based supplements (PBS), necessitating thorough risk assessment to ensure consumer safety. This study evaluates the health risks associated with mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2) and ochratoxin A (OTA), in PBS sold in Malaysia. Contamination levels of AFB1, AFB2, and OTA were quantified in 14 PBS samples using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. All samples tested positive for AFB2, while 28.57% and 42.86% tested positive for AFB1 and OTA, respectively with some levels exceeding the regulatory limits set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and European regulations. The estimated daily intake of these mycotoxins was calculated based on the recommended daily intake of each supplement. To assess risk, Margin of Exposure (MOE) values were determined, showing that all AFB2-positive samples had MOE values below the critical threshold of 10,000, indicating an urgent need for risk management. A quantitative cancer risk assessment also estimated the percentage of hepatocellular carcinoma and kidney cancer attributable to mycotoxin exposure. The findings emphasize the significant public health risks posed by mycotoxins, particularly in samples B2 and B10, where all three mycotoxins studied were present at concerning levels. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and better monitoring of mycotoxin levels in PBS to protect consumer’s health. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-73d9cf9f97df45a89bb86d0313cee04f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-73d9cf9f97df45a89bb86d0313cee04f2025-01-12T12:23:05ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-85280-zHealth risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in MalaysiaRozaini Abdullah0Nur Syazwin Kamarozaman1Siti Soleha Ab Dullah2Mohd Yusmaidie Aziz3Hussein Bakheit Adam Aziza4Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra MalaysiaDepartment of Environmental & Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra MalaysiaToxicology and Pharmacology Unit, Herbal Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of HealthDepartment of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains MalaysiaFaculty of Defense and Security, Rabdan AcademyAbstract Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks when present in plant-based supplements (PBS), necessitating thorough risk assessment to ensure consumer safety. This study evaluates the health risks associated with mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2) and ochratoxin A (OTA), in PBS sold in Malaysia. Contamination levels of AFB1, AFB2, and OTA were quantified in 14 PBS samples using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. All samples tested positive for AFB2, while 28.57% and 42.86% tested positive for AFB1 and OTA, respectively with some levels exceeding the regulatory limits set by the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and European regulations. The estimated daily intake of these mycotoxins was calculated based on the recommended daily intake of each supplement. To assess risk, Margin of Exposure (MOE) values were determined, showing that all AFB2-positive samples had MOE values below the critical threshold of 10,000, indicating an urgent need for risk management. A quantitative cancer risk assessment also estimated the percentage of hepatocellular carcinoma and kidney cancer attributable to mycotoxin exposure. The findings emphasize the significant public health risks posed by mycotoxins, particularly in samples B2 and B10, where all three mycotoxins studied were present at concerning levels. This study highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and better monitoring of mycotoxin levels in PBS to protect consumer’s health.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85280-zMycotoxinAflatoxinOchratoxinRisk assessmentSupplementMargin of exposure |
| spellingShingle | Rozaini Abdullah Nur Syazwin Kamarozaman Siti Soleha Ab Dullah Mohd Yusmaidie Aziz Hussein Bakheit Adam Aziza Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia Scientific Reports Mycotoxin Aflatoxin Ochratoxin Risk assessment Supplement Margin of exposure |
| title | Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| title_full | Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| title_fullStr | Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| title_short | Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| title_sort | health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant based supplements marketed in malaysia |
| topic | Mycotoxin Aflatoxin Ochratoxin Risk assessment Supplement Margin of exposure |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85280-z |
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