In the present study, the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxins (AFs) in peanut and cashew nut samples was investigated. Mycological analysis revealed the presence of fungi in 58.8% of samples, and assessment of AFs by chromatographic methods revealed that 52.9% were contaminated by AFs. AFB1 was the principal component in all AF-contaminated samples, with a mean level of 14.0, and 1.08 µg/kg in peanut and cashew nut, respectively. Eleven samples (32.4%) exceeded the total AF maximum level (4 μg/kg) and 8 samples (23.5%) exceeded the AFB1 (2 μg/kg) established by the European Commission. Our findings suggest that the incidence of AFs emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and a more stringent food safety system to control AFs at the lowest possible levels in peanuts and cashew nuts. The hypothetical dietary exposure suggests that the food products evaluated may significantly contribute to the overall human exposure.

ResumoObjetivo: A proliferação acelerada de cianobactérias em mananciais e reservatórios tem causado sérios danos ecológicos e à saúde pública, e é um problema que desafia as instituições responsáveis pelo fornecimento de água para a população. Nesse trabalho, foi realizada a quantificação dos níveis de microcistinas, saxitoxinas e cianobactérias ao longo de 3 anos em reservatórios do semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil). Além disso, foi avaliada a distribuição sazonal das cianotoxinas e a porcentagem de cianobactérias e cianotoxinas que estavam acima do valor permitido de acordo com a legislação brasileira.MétodosO estudo foi realizado entre os anos 2009 e 2011 em quatro açudes com seis pontos amostrais: Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves (ARG) em Itajá, São Rafael (SR) e Jucurutu; Passagem das Traíras (PT); Itans e Gargalheiras (GARG). As cianobactérias presentes foram quantificadas e identificadas e a presença de microcistinas (MCs) e saxitoxinas (STXs) foi investigada por ELISA.ResultadosAs densidades de cianobactérias revelaram-se acima do permitido em 76% dos casos. Já os resultados de ELISA mostraram que das 128 amostras analisadas, 27% estavam acima do máximo permitido pela Portaria do Ministério da Saúde 2914/2011. Foi encontrado um padrão sazonal para a presença de MCYs (0.00227 a 24.1954 µg.L–1), com os maiores valores encontrados no período chuvoso. Não foi encontrado um padrão sazonal para STXs (0.003 µg.L–1 a 0.766 µg.L–1).ConclusõesEsse trabalho mostrou a importância de se estabelecer a vigilância da qualidade da água para consumo humano e seu padrão de potabilidade já que a concentração de MCYs em algumas amostras estava acima do limite máximo admissível pela legislação brasileira, representando assim um risco à saúde pública já que o tratamento convencional da água não é capaz de eliminar essas potentes hepatotoxinas.

Aim:The rapid spread of cyanobacteria in water sources and reservoirs has caused serious environmental damage and public health problems, and consists in a problem that challenges the institutions responsible for providing water to the population. In this study, the quantification of microcystin, saxitoxins and cyanobacteria levels was performed over 3 years in the semi-arid reservoirs of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). In addition, we analyzed the seasonal distribution of cyanotoxins and the percentage of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins which were above the limit established by Brazilian law.MethodsThe study was conducted between 2009 and 2011 in four dams with six sites: Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves (ARG) in Itajá, San Rafael (SR) and Jucurutu; Passagem das Traíras (PT); Itans and Gargalheiras (GARG). Cyanobacteria presence were quantified and identified and the presence of microcystins (MCYs) and saxitoxins (STXs) was investigated by ELISA.ResultsThe densities of cyanobacteria were found to be above the permitted in 76% of cases. The ELISA results showed that of the 128 samples analyzed, 27% were above the maximum allowed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health Order 2914/2011. A seasonal pattern for the presence of MCYs was found (0.00227 to 24.1954 µg.L–1), with the highest values in the rainy season. There was no clear seasonal pattern for STXs (0.003 to 0.766 µg.L–1).ConclusionsThis study showed the importance of establishing a water quality monitoring for human consumption and its potability standards since the concentration of MCYs in some samples was above the maximum limit allowed by Brazilian law, thus posing a risk to public health since the conventional water treatment is not able to eliminate these potent hepatotoxins.