Maize contamination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is of significance on a global scale due to its major contribution to food security. It is very probable that substantial amounts of AFB1 may be absorbed by germinating seeds grown in contaminated soil and cause deleterious effects on the growth and development of maize. In this study, the effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) on antifungal activity and reducing the toxic effects of AFB1 on seed germination was examined. A notable inhibitory effect of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on A. flavus was observed at a concentration of 0.5 ppm, resulting in 13.1% inhibition, which was more effective than the higher concentration of 1.0 ppm and the control. The results showed that the final germination percentage of the seeds that were inoculated with 320 ppb was significantly increased by the treatment with 125 mg/mL of green ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs. This study indicated the potential of green-synthesised ZnO-CuO hybrid NPs as alternative antifungal agents to control aflatoxin production in maize to improve food security and safety by supressing the threat posed by AFB1.

Trichilia dregeana has a rich phytochemical diversity and biological activity; however, information on its metabolomic profile and antimycotoxigenic potential is limited. This study investigated different extracts of T. dregeana bark obtained with various solvents (water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and methanol), assessing their chemical composition using LC-MS and their inhibitory activity against the aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus fungi. LC-MS analysis identified metabolites belonging to several secondary metabolite classes, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignan glycosides, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, cinnamic acids, and limonoids. Solvent polarity strongly influenced metabolite distribution, with water and methanol enriching polar antioxidant compounds, while ethanol and ethyl acetate extracted semipolar antimicrobial constituents. The antimycotoxigenic efficacy of T. dregeana bark extracts was evaluated against Aspergillus flavus in maize, rice, and flour matrices. Among the tested extracts, only the methanolic extract exhibited a statistically significant reduction in aflatoxin levels (µg/kg), while the water, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts showed no significant inhibition. Fungal inoculation significantly increased aflatoxin levels, with maize showing the highest contamination (673.32 µg/kg). At 50 µg/mL extract, aflatoxin concentrations were reduced to 230.39 µg/kg maize, 129.93 µg/kg rice, and 143.89 µg/kg flour, with efficacy comparable to or exceeding the commercial fungicide tenazole. Associations between solvent-dependent metabolite class distribution and aflatoxin suppression were observed; however, bioactivity was demonstrated exclusively at the crude extract level. These findings suggest that methanolic extracts of T. dregeana bark may represent a promising natural alternative to antimycotoxin agents, warranting further fractionation and mechanistic validation.

Fusarium-related mycotoxins are a major concern in livestock feeds due to their toxicity and potential for co-occurrence, which can cause additive or synergistic effects. This study investigated the influence of temperature and moisture content on fusarium-associated mycotoxin production in pig and broiler feeds. Feeds were inoculated with the Fusarium graminearum and incubated under controlled temperatures (30-40 °C) and moisture levels (8-15%), and mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON), Fusarenone-X (FUX), fumonisins B ₁ and B ₂ (FB ₁ , FB ₂ ), ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and zearalenone (ZEN) were quantified using LCMS. Results showed that temperature was the primary driver of mycotoxin production, while moisture content modulated mycotoxin magnitude and diversity in a feed-dependent manner. In pig feed, fumonisins were predominantly produced at 30 °C under low moisture, with FB ₁ reaching 1850 µg/kg. DON and FUX were detected across a wider temperature range, whereas ZEN remained relatively stable. OTA, T-2, and HT-2 toxins were infrequently detected. Broiler feed showed similar patterns, with DON and FUX consistently present, fumonisins largely restricted to lower temperatures, and ZEN stable across conditions. Co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins was most pronounced at lower temperatures, highlighting the risk of chronic multi-toxin exposure. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of optimized feed storage and multi-mycotoxin monitoring. Feed-specific mitigation strategies, including antifungal additives or plant-derived bioactive compounds, may help reduce mycotoxin accumulation and safeguard livestock health and productivity.