Determination of aflatoxin B1 biomarkers and its applicability for evaluation of adsorbents efficiency in pigs

Abstract

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic compounds produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus that contaminate food before and after processing, causing risks to human health and economic losses in animal production. Exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the metabolite with greater toxicity produced by the fungus, occurs predominantly through ingestion of contaminated food, principally corn, peanuts and derivatives, whose contamination with AFB1 has been observed frequently in Brazil. The AFB1 is biotransformed by microsomal liver enzymes, resulting in the formation of adducts AFB1-N7-guanine and AFB1-lysine. The thematic project is structured in six sub-projects, which have independent and complementary objectives, in order to generate knowledge about the application of AFB1 adducts as biomarkers of exposure to aflatoxins in animals and humans, as well as its involvement in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The theme of the Sub-Project VI, to be executed in the work plan of the Direct Doctorate, is intended to verify the applicability of the determination of residues of AFB1 and AFB1-lysine in evaluating of adsorbents efficiency in pigs. Pigs will be evaluated for levels of productivity, serum biochemistry, histopathology, besides determination of residues of AFB1, AFB2a, AFM1, aflatoxicol and AFB1-lysine in serum and liver of pigs necropsied as biomarkers for the evaluation of adsorbents for aflatoxins in pigs. (AU)