Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia
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...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Research
2025
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/1/118452.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848867519370100736 |
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| author | Abdullah, Rozaini Kamarozaman, Nur Syazwin Ab Dullah, Siti Soleha Aziz, Mohd Yusmaidie Aziza, Hussein Bakheit Adam |
| author_facet | Abdullah, Rozaini Kamarozaman, Nur Syazwin Ab Dullah, Siti Soleha Aziz, Mohd Yusmaidie Aziza, Hussein Bakheit Adam |
| author_sort | Abdullah, Rozaini |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:37:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-118452 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T14:37:47Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Nature Research |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-1184522025-07-18T07:45:49Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/ Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia Abdullah, Rozaini Kamarozaman, Nur Syazwin Ab Dullah, Siti Soleha Aziz, Mohd Yusmaidie Aziza, Hussein Bakheit Adam 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. Nature Research 2025-01-07 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/1/118452.pdf Abdullah, Rozaini and Kamarozaman, Nur Syazwin and Ab Dullah, Siti Soleha and Aziz, Mohd Yusmaidie and Aziza, Hussein Bakheit Adam (2025) Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia. Scientific Reports, 15. art. no. 1244. pp. 1-10. ISSN 2045-2322; eISSN: 2045-2322 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-85280-z?error=cookies_not_supported&code=422dec1c-9af5-4322-9bf8-4130a07b2ffb 10.1038/s41598-025-85280-z |
| spellingShingle | Abdullah, Rozaini Kamarozaman, Nur Syazwin Ab Dullah, Siti Soleha Aziz, Mohd Yusmaidie Aziza, Hussein Bakheit Adam Health risks evaluation of mycotoxins in plant-based supplements marketed in Malaysia |
| 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 |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118452/1/118452.pdf |