Work

Toxicogenic fungi and mycotoxins seasonality in poultry farms: Implications for animal health and food safety

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Poultry farms are hostpost for fungi and mycotoxins proliferation. Still, seasonal dynamics on of these hazards on farm and their impacts on animals/ workers health, and lastly on food safety remain unexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of seasonal (summer/winter) fungal/mycotoxins exposure in poultry farms environment (Electrostatic dust cloths (EDC), feed, bed) and broiler chicken tissues (breast, liver) to identify potential exposure risks for broiler chickens/workers health and food safety. Viable mycotoxigenic fungi and mycotoxins profile (LC-MS/MS) was characterized and cytotoxicity assessment was performed using A549 (human alveolar epithelial) and SK (swine kidney) cells. Zootechnical parameters were also measured to evaluate broiler chickens’ growth performance. Summer conditions favour the proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi belonging to Penicillium and Aspergillus genera, where co-contamination of hazardous mycotoxins (ZEN/TRCs/FBs) was prevalent. Considering cytotoxicity assessment, EDC samples induce high toxicity in 47% of A549 cells during summer, whereas on bed samples, high toxicity was obtained during winter on both cell lines (100% SK cells; 83% A549 cells). Our results evidence diverse exposure pathways (inhalation, dermal contact) and seasonal health risks. Regarding mycotoxins in biological samples, ZEN was detected in 53.3% of liver samples, highlighting chronic exposure risks. Thus, future research should focus on toxicokinetics/toxicodynamics of co-occurring mycotoxins in animal production environments and their subsequent human exposure through the food chain. Given that climate change may exacerbate seasonal fungal/mycotoxin contamination, understanding these interactions is crucial for improving risk assessment frameworks and to implement protection measures on the farm level and along the food chain. • First seasonal assessment of fungi/mycotoxins in poultry farms and broilers tissues. • Summer conditions favour the proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi • Broilers are exposed to multi-mycotoxins (ZEA/TRCs/FBs) in farm environments • ZEA was detected in 53.3% of broilers livers suggesting bioaccumulation. • Climate change may intensify risks, demanding on-farm biosafety interventions

Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102399