Alternaria toxins as a risk factor for population health

Alternaria toxins are toxic metabolites of mold fungi of the genus Alternaria, which are widespread in nature. The purpose of the review was to characterize Alternaria toxins most frequently found in food products and posing a real threat to public health: alternariol (AOH) and its monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT), tentoxin (TEN), and tenuazonic acid (TeA). The existing toxicological data are insufficient to establish a value of provisional tolerable intake of Alternaria toxins. Based on the chemical structure the daily threshold of toxicological concern was determined: TeA and TEN, 1500 ng/kg b.w.; AOH and AME (taking into account their genotoxicity), 2.5 ng/kg b.w. Currently, the content of Alternaria toxins in food products is not regulated at the national or international levels. Liquid chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry is the most preferred method of identification and quantification of Alternaria toxins. Research results indicate significant contamination with Alternaria toxins of food raw materials and products of their processing (including cereals and oilseeds crops; vegetables and fruits, spices, and baby food). Processing of raw materials contaminated with Alternaria toxins contributes, as a rule, to reducing their content in the ready-to-eat product, but does not allow for complete elimination of toxins. Children of the first three years of life are a population group under the greatest exposure to Alternaria toxins. At the same time, an intake of Alternaria toxins with a diet may exceed the threshold of toxicological concern and pose a real threat to health. The data presented in the review characterize Alternaria toxins as a significant risk factor for public health. To manage the corresponding risk, including through hygienic regulation, it is necessary to conduct additional research on the content of priority Alternaria toxins (AOH, AME, TeA, TEN, ALT) in food products, as well as clarify dose-dependent effects of their toxic action in order to minimize any possible adverse effects of Alternaria toxins on public health in the Russian Federation.