Sterigmatocystin in Food

Sterigmatocystin (STC), a mycotoxin found in contaminated cereals and food, serves as a precursor to aflatoxin B1 when fungi capable of producing aflatoxins are present. The chemical structures of sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B1 are closely related. These mycotoxins pose a significant threat to both animals and cereals, resulting in substantial economic consequences for the biotechnology, agricultural, and food industries.

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Occurrence of Sterigmatocystin in Food

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, can contaminate both food and feed. Contamination can occur during crop cultivation or storage. The extent of contamination depends on factors such as fungal interactions, crop type, and environmental conditions. In the case of food, additional factors like industrial processes and household preparation methods can influence the presence and levels of mycotoxins. It is important to note that mycotoxins are highly stable molecules, making them challenging to eliminate even through cooking. Consequently, mycotoxins can persist in food and the environment long after the fungus responsible has died or disintegrated. As a polyketide mycotoxin, the natural occurrence of STC has been reported in several foodstuffs, such as rice, bread, grain, wheat bran, maize, peanut seeds, groundnuts, coffee beans, cheese, beer, and cereal products. In addition, STC contamination has been reported in animal feed, such as grass, barley, corn, feed mixtures, silage, sunflower cake, straw, and hay.

Toxicity of Sterigmatocystin

Studies have shown that STC possesses carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressive properties. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified STC in Group 2B.

Acute toxicity studies have shown that STC primarily affects the liver and kidneys. The oral acute toxicity of STC is relatively low, with a range between 120 and 166 mg/kg of body weight. In animal studies involving rats, monkeys, mice, and guinea pigs, STC has been found to be hepatotoxic, causing hepatocellular necrosis and hemorrhages. Kidney damage, such as hyaline degeneration, tubular necrosis, and hemorrhages, has also been observed in rats and monkeys exposed to STC.

In addition, STC has been shown to have genotoxic properties. It is mutagenic in both bacterial and mammalian cell assays, requiring metabolic activation. STC has been found to induce chromosomal damage both in vitro and in vivo in experimental animals. These genotoxic effects indicate the potential for STC to cause DNA damage and increase the risk of genetic mutations.

Tumorigenicity studies have demonstrated that STC can induce the development of tumors. In animal models such as rats, mice, Mongolian gerbils, monkeys, and fish, administration of STC via various routes, including oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and dermal, has resulted in the formation of premalignant and malignant lesions. These lesions include hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), haemangiosarcomas in the liver, angiosarcomas in brown fat, and lung adenomas.

Sterigmatocystin-Related Antibodies

Sterigmatocystin-Related Antigens

Sterigmatocystin-Related ELISA Kits