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Percorrer por autor "Prodana, M."

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  • Aflatoxin B1 accumulation in Tenebrio molitor: a preliminary assessment
    Publication . Andrade, M.A.; Cardoso, D.N.; Silva, A.R.R.; Prodana, M.; Santos, J.; Loureiro, S.; Alvito, Paula
    With the population growth rate, there are some concerns that food production will not be able to keep up with this growth. Edible insects seem to present a sustainable solution. Farming these insects presents an opportunity to drain the production of the by-products by reusing them as bio-feedstocks and reintroducing these components into the food value chain. However, these products can present several contaminations, including mycotoxins, which can be accumulated in insects after exposure to the contaminant, and be detected at the end of the food chain. The ENTOSAFE project aims to address these concerns and evaluate the potential risk for the consumer. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation in Tenebrio molitor (yellow Mealworm, YMW) exposed to a spiked AFB1 feed subtract at maximum levels in cereals and products derived from cereals (2 µg/kg) and ten times higher (20 µg/kg). AFB1 contents were quantified in both feed substrate and T. molitor samples, before and after a 14-days of exposure and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, OTA), detected by HPLC-FD detection. Results concerning non-contaminated feed substrate revealed absence of AFB1 and presence of OTA, the latter (0,8 µg/kg) presenting values below the legislated value of 3 µg/kg, for cereals and products derived from cereals (European Commission, 2023). AFB1 spiked feed substrates revealed values slightly higher (4 and 23 µg/kg) than the theoretical contamination levels of 2 and 20 µg/kg. OTA values remain close to the previously reported. No changes occurred in contamination levels at beginning and 14-days AFB1 exposure assays. Results concerning T. molitor larvae, revealed absence of OTA along exposure assays and different AFB1 contamination levels. AFB1 contents in low (0.011 µg/kg) and high (0.022 µg/kg) AFB1 contamination levels were close, and below the 2 µg/kg legislated level for cereals and products derived from cereals (European Commission, 2023), after the 14-days exposure. The reported results are preliminary, so several aspects need to be improved as mycotoxin analytical method validation, mycotoxin contamination procedure and a higher number of samples to get representative results on AFB1 accumulation in insect larvae.
    2023-09Documento de conferência Acesso restrito Ver mais
  • Towards Safer Insect-Based Feed and Food: Toxicokinetics of Cadmium, Arsenic and Lead in the Black Soldier Fly Larvae
    Publication . Alvito, P.; Prodana, M.; Silva, A.R.; Mostafaie, A.; Pinto, J.; Verissimo, P.; Coelho, I.; Rego, A.; Brooks, B.; Loureiro, S.; Cardoso, D.
    Insects are rich in protein, lipids, and other nutrients, and they possess an exceptionally efficient bioconversion capacity. Besides these benefits, a significant advantage, particularly within the context of a circular bioeconomy, is their ability to utilize a wide range of food sources in rearing facilities, including residual biomass, thereby avoiding competition with key food commodities (e.g., wheat and soybean). However, before utilizing alternative feedstocks such as bio-waste, it is crucial to ensure the safety of these insects as food and feed. This study aimed to assess the uptake and elimination of common contaminants—cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb)—by the larvae of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) from feed substrates. A two-phase bioaccumulation study was conducted: a 5-day uptake phase where larvae were fed a contaminated substrate, followed by a 5-day elimination phase with a clean substrate. The substrate used was the Gainesville diet, spiked with cadmium chloride (CdCl2), sodium arsenite (NaAsO2), and lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) at concentrations of 2 mg/kg for Cd and As, and 10 mg/kg for Pb, based on EU regulatory limits for feed. The control group consisted of organisms exposed to clean substrate during the 10-day experiment. A 16-hour light/8-hour dark photoperiod and a temperature of 25±2°C were maintained during the exposure. Daily sampling was carried out, followed by a 12-hour depuration time, and lyophilization. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used for metal quantification. Data from both the uptake and elimination phases were used for toxicokinetic modelling. The kinetic bioaccumulation factors were 1.21 for As, 1.45 for Pb, and 6.13 for Cd. Results indicated that the larvae accumulated these metals at concentrations exceeding the permissible levels (2 and/or 10 mg/kg dry substrate). The highest uptake rate was for Cd, followed by As and Pb. However, larvae reached safe internal concentrations for use as food for other animals after being moved to a clean substrate during: 2 days for As, 4 days for Pb, and 5 days for Cd. Fromt the obtained results, we recommend implementing this depuration period after exposure to bio-waste, although the duration should be adapted depending on the particular contaminants involved. Toxicokinetic studies are valuable for assessing the safety of insects for feed and food, and they can be useful tools to define the conditions that will assure sustainable use of insects in bio-waste management.
    2024-09-08Documento de conferência Acesso restrito Ver mais