Mycotoxin Treatment in Naples, FL

Mycotoxin Treatment: Deactivation with Nature's Own Disinfectant

One of the most efficacious approaches to counteracting the toxic effects of mycotoxins is to use nature's own disinfectant. It transforms the mycotoxin into a non-toxic molecule, essentially deactivating them. But what is this disinfectant?

Fungal Evolution

Fungi and mold have been producing mycotoxins for many millions of years, and they still play a role in natural ecosystems and our modern environments. Biological evolution is driven by interactions and adaptation, and the fungal evolution of some mycotoxins has had detrimental effects: their production elicits disruption and toxicity within cells and their functions.

Different mycotoxins use different mechanisms, so they have different effects on humans and other animals, and sensitivity to mycotoxin exposure and contamination varies among species.

Mycotoxins from the aflatoxin family interfere with DNA replication and its transcription. This causes a reduction in available messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which can be rate-limiting for ribosome activity and protein biosynthesis. Aflatoxin, in humans, have been linked to liver cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other health issues.

Other mycotoxins, though interacting differently with cells and their processes, can be just as debilitating. For instance, zearalenone, as a mycoestrogen, interferes with endocrine signaling. It's an estrogen mimic and can lead to reproductive issues.

Trichothecenes, in addition to direct interference with protein biosynthesis, can also cause immunosuppression and disrupt the synthesis of DNA and RNA. Some, like Verrucarin J, can easily cross cell membranes, while Verrucarin A is one of the most toxic of all trichothecenes. Additionally, with protein biosynthesis in animals trichothecenes, causes direct interference and of animal feed intake.

Also, in relationship to animals and animal feed production, the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) interferes with the protein production directly at the molecular level. It blocks the peptidyl transferase center of the eukaryotic ribosome. The most common effects of prolonged dietary exposure of animals to DON are decreased weight gain, anorexia, decreased nutritional efficiency and altered immune function with species differences again being apparent.

Further, fumonisins, produced by several species of Fusarium fungi - a common grain mold, can have significant health effects in livestock, poultry, and other animals through their feed. Fumonisins interfere with sphingolipid metabolism and signaling and can influence immunomodulation and increase disease susceptibility. While the evidence for adverse health effects in humans is currently inconclusive, according to the WHO, there are concerns that exposure to fumonisins through food consumption may contribute to various serious adverse health outcomes such as cancer and birth defects.

Deactivation via Hydroxyl Radicals

Several approaches and technologies may be used to deactivate mycotoxins, including microbial enzymes, ozone, ammonia, or alkali treatments, but very few are being implemented beyond a pilot or experimental scale.

One of the difficulties with mycotoxin contamination is their deactivation, with the long-held belief that they cannot be effectively deactivated in situ. The old solution is to completely remove and replace all building materials, fabrics, and mechanical equipment in a contaminated space.

The QMD Protocol℠ is a new approach that the author successfully implemented and documented here. Using a hydroxyl radical deactivation treatment, the Assessment, Identification, Treatment, and Validation stages make up the complete process of ridding interior environments of the deadly toxigenic biological hazard caused by mycotoxin contamination.

In this case study, the QMD Protocol℠, and its Quantitative Mycotoxin Deactivation℠, focuses on Mycotoxin Biodeactivation℠ and addresses some of the most toxic mycotoxins known to humans. However, the QMD Protocol℠ provides a serious deactivation solution for multiple environments and industries. When adopted, food and coffee processing, animal feed production, and deactivation of weaponized aflatoxin, to name a few, will benefit enormously.

Using the QMD Protocol℠ approach, hydroxyl radicals are derived from a low percentage solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is ionized into submicron particles - an extremely fine mist - that moves like a gas. Through the ionizing process, the H2O2 molecules are turned into a Reactive Oxygen Species, mainly hydroxyl radicals. One of the unique and extraordinary aspects of this treatment is that it takes a hydroxyl radical, previously known to only live for milliseconds, and effectively allows it to be transferred from point A to point B, keeping it active.

The hydroxyl radical splits or breaks the molecular structure of the mycotoxins on contact. This leads to intramolecular disruption and deactivation, allowing for the quick treatment of targeted areas, objects, and confined or restricted spaces.

While the theory of deactivating mycotoxins via the use of hydroxyl radicals sounds solid, how can we be sure? After all, we are dealing with submicron particles. The concentration of each mycotoxin is measured in nanograms (one billionth of a gram), in parts-per-billion, and their diameter has been calculated at 0.000003937 of an inch or 0.0001 mm.

Mycotoxin Treatment Conclusion

Mycotoxin Biodeactivation℠, using Nature's own disinfectant is, therefore, a natural progression into the biological correction of cellular toxicity by deactivating mycotoxins and restoring healthy biosynthesis. The QMD Protocol℠ is a sophisticated development and complementary to Mycotoxin Biodeactivation℠.

When implemented alongside assessment, identification, and validation, mycotoxin treatment deactivation via hydroxyl radicals is a successful treatment option. When all of these components are undertaken chronologically and methodically, and exactingly executed, the desired outcome is assured. This innovative approach is a revolutionary advancement and has been considered from a biohazard and bio-recovery standpoint. When adopted, this will be tremendously beneficial across multiple environments, many different industries, and where exposure has led to the debilitating effect of mycotoxin contamination.

General – FAQs

Having studied mold and mycotoxins extensively and experiencing some of their worst effects first-hand, it’s clear that understanding the risks is vital.

Environmental exposure to mycotoxins from the spaces we live, work, and frequent is just the tip of the iceberg. However, it is not the only way we encounter the harmful effects of mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are highly prevalent in modern human and animal food chains. They are toxic metabolites of certain molds that grow on agricultural commodities in the field and storage: crops and foodstuffs such as cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, and coffee beans being affected. Their occurrence by the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated global food crop contamination with mycotoxins to be 25%.

As with environmental contamination, mycotoxins are extremely difficult to eliminate in food. They are not destroyed by most processes used in food and feed production; they can survive cooking, freezing, and conditions that might kill other organisms. If animals or humans consume them, the results can be severely detrimental, including illness or even death.

Neither these biotoxins, nor their debilitating effects, discriminate, so an effective treatment protocol needs to be adaptable, transferable, and successful.

Mycotoxin Biodeactivation℠ via the QMD Protocol℠ with its Quantitative Mycotoxin Deactivation℠ is a sophisticated development, beneficial as an efficacious treatment solution in multiple types of contaminated environments and offering relief from the toxicity of mycotoxins across many different industries. This approach has clearly shown its ability to restore an environment back into balance.

This article was written based on research, practical experience, the author's QMD Protocol℠, and information derived from the author's works: Mycotoxin Deactivation; A Successful Mycotoxin Treatment and Reduction Case Study.