Hazard characterisation of the mycotoxins enniatins and Alternaria toxins to close data gaps and improve risk assessment for human health

Dietrich, Jessica; Marko, Doris; Behr, Anne-Cathrin; Driven, Hubert; Silva, Maria João; Louro, Henriqueta; PARC 5.1.1.a Project Team

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/8993

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PARC 5.1.1.a Project Team

Abstract(s)

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi that may contaminate food and feed, e.g., cereals, (dried) fruits and spices. As they are natural substances, there are no manufacturers or suppliers responsible for providing hazard data, in contrast to e.g. industrial chemicals or pesticides. Humans are widely exposed to mycotoxins mainly through diet and, due to climate changes, the human exposure to these toxins will likely increase. Accordingly, regulatory agencies need more hazard data, particularly regarding emerging (non-regulated) toxins to improve risk assessment and consumer protection. Thus, this project was designed in order to fill data gaps with regulatory relevance regarding the main representatives of two groups of emerging mycotoxins - enniatins and Alternaria toxins. Within the project, in vitro assays on genotoxic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and endocrine effects of enniatins and Alternaria toxins as well as in silico analyses and further studies on adverse outcome pathway will be performed by a total of 16 partners from the European Union and Norway. Standardized OECD test guidelines as well as so-called New Approach Methodologies will be used to generate in vitro data. The results of the study are expected to identify critical toxicological effects of the toxins for subsequent in vivo studies required to establish health based guidance values and thus to perform an appropriate risk assessment in order to provide an efficient health consumer protection.