Robbie Cairns

Mr. Robbie Cairns


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 March 2018 in Toxins
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RKRhoda El Khoury
Rhoda El Khoury
ECElodie Ch
Elodie Ch
Andre EL KHOURYAndre EL KHOURY
Andre EL KHOURY
SSSelma Pascale Snini
Selma Pascale Snini
RCRobbie Cairns
Robbie Cairns
FMFlorence Mathieu
Florence Mathieu
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium that contaminate food and feed raw materials. To reduce OTA contamination, we first tested in vitro, actinobacterial strains as potential biocontrol agents and afterward, through a physical decontamination method using activated carbon fibers (ACFs). Actinobacterial strains were screened for their ability to reduce OTA in solid co-culture with A. carbonarius, which is the major OTA-producing species in European vineyards. Four strains showed a high affinity for removing OTA (67%–83%) with no significant effect on fungal growth (<20%). The mechanism of action was first studied by analyzing the expression of OTA cluster genes (acOTApks, acOTAnrps, acOTAhal) by RT-qPCR showing a drastic reduction in all genes (7–15 times). Second, the ability of these strains to degrade OTA was assessed in vitro on ISP2 solid medium supplemented with OTA (100 µg/L). Two strains reduced OTA to undetectable levels. As for the physical method, high adsorption rates were obtained for ACFs at 0.8 g/L with a 50% adsorption of OTA in red wine by AC15 and 52% in grape juice by AC20 within 24 h. These promising methods could be complementarily applied toward reducing OTA contamination in food chains, which promotes food safety and quality.