RHA™ anti-Fumonisin monoclonal antibody, clone FB

Beauvericin (BEA) is a cyclic hexadepsipeptide, which derives from Cordyceps cicadae. It is also produced by Fusarium species, which are parasitic to maize, wheat, rice and other important commodities. BEA increases ion permeability in biological membranes by forming a complex with essential cations, which may affect ionic homeostasis. Its ion-complexing capability allows BEA to transport alkaline earth metal and alkali metal ions across cell membranes. Importantly, increasing lines of evidence show that BEA has an anticancer effect and can be potentially used in cancer therapeutics. Normally, BEA performs the anticancer effect due to the induced cancer cell apoptosis via a reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway. Moreover, BEA increases the intracellular Ca2+ levels and subsequently regulates the activity of a series of signalling pathways including MAPK, JAK/STAT, and NF-kappa B, and finally causes cancer cell apoptosis. In vivo studies further show that BEA reduces tumour volumes and weights. BEA especially targets differentiated and invasive cancer types. Currently, the anticancer activity of BEA is a hot topic; however, there is no review article to discuss the anticancer activity of BEA. Therefore, in this review, we have mainly summarized the anticancer activity of BEA and thoroughly discussed its underlying mechanisms. In addition, the human exposure risk assessment of BEA is also discussed. We hope that this review will provide further information for understanding the anticancer mechanisms of BEA.

Fumonisin-producing fungal species, Fusarium verticillioides, culture was mixed in the diets of 6 piglets for 9 days (Fumonisin B-1 [FB1] intake of 17 mg/kg) to investigate whether there is any potential alteration in the caecal bacterial communities between the experimental (with F. verticillioides) and control groups (without F. verticillioides). Plate count agar culturing technique was applied to measure the amount of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms, Lactobacillus spp. and Clostridium perfringens. A significant difference was observed between the control and experimental group only in the case of aerobic bacteria on Day 4, 8.60 +/- 0.22 compared to 8.06 +/- 0.20 (P < 0.05), respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to estimate the DNA copy number of total bacteria, Bacteroides and Prevotella spp., Clostridium spp., E. coli, Enterobacteriales, Firmicutes and Lactobacillus spp. Significant differences were observed between the control and experimental group regarding total bacteria on Day 2 and Day 6, Firmicutes on Day 2 and E. coli and Enterobacteriales on Day 4. Regarding the entire feeding time, no significant difference between the two groups was found in all species of investigated bacteria by the culturing technique and qPCR after an 8-day exposure. The present research contributes to the understanding of how microbiota responds to the FB1 load.