Exploring Alternaria mycotoxins-gut microbiota interactions

Mold contamination in food is a common and often unavoidable occurrence, particularly in agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. In this context, molds of the genus Alternaria are known to produce toxic compoundsreferred to as Alternaria mycotoxinsthat may pose risks to human health. Research has shown that Alternaria mycotoxins are highly prevalent in food and that some of these compounds can induce a broad spectrum of toxicological effects, including disruption of key biological functions such as hormone signaling and immune responses. Despite this, the available data are still insufficient to comprehensively assess the risks these mycotoxins may pose to human health, underscoring the need for further research. One area that remains largely unexplored is the interaction between these toxins and the human gut microbiotathe diverse and dynamic community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining human health: it supports digestion, modulates the immune system, and contributes to the processing of both nutrients and potentially harmful substances, including toxins. Consequently, any factor capable of affecting the gut microbiota may have significant implications for human health. Building on this knowledge, the present project aims to answer two key questions: can these toxins disturb the structure or function of gut microbial communities? And can the microbiota, in turn, transform, detoxify, or otherwise influence the biological effects of the mycotoxins? As humans are typically exposed to mixtures of these toxins rather than isolated compounds, the study will compare the effects of individual toxins with those of complex mixtures that reflect real-life exposure scenarios. To investigate these questions, the study will employ advanced laboratory techniques and model systems that simulate conditions in the human intestine. It will examine, among other aspects, changes in microbial growth, mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial properties of these toxins, and alterations in their toxicological properties mediated by gut bacteriaincluding immunosuppressive, genotoxic, and hormone- like effects. Special attention will also be given to evaluating the ability of these toxins to affect the mucus layer that protects the intestinal lining, as its integrity is critical for maintaining gut health. In summary, by elucidating the role of the gut microbiota in modulating the effects of Alternaria toxinsand vice versathis project will generate valuable data for future risk assessments concerning this class of mycotoxins. Ultimately, it will contribute to better protection of public health by addressing an important yet understudied aspect of dietary exposure to natural food contaminants