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Streptomyces strains producing mitochondriotoxic antimycin A found in cereal grains

Stiina Rasimus-Sahari1, Raimo Mikkola1, Maria A Andersson1

  • 1Department of Food and Environmental Sciences (Microbiology), Biocenter 1, POB 56, 00014 Helsinki University, Finland.

International Journal of Food Microbiology
|December 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Toxin-producing Streptomyces bacteria found in stored barley and wheat grains can harm mammalian cells. Some isolates produce antimycin A, a potent mitochondrial toxin, posing a food and feed safety risk.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology
  • Food Safety

Background:

  • Mammalian cell toxicity has been observed in stored barley and spring wheat grains.
  • The specific causes of this toxicity were investigated to ensure food and feed safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the causes of mammalian cell toxicity in cereal grains.
  • To investigate the potential threat posed by toxin-producing microorganisms in stored grains.

Main Methods:

  • Streptomyces isolates from wheat and barley were tested for toxicity using porcine spermatozoa.
  • Antimycin A production was quantified in toxic isolates.
  • In vitro assays assessed the mitochondrial toxicity of antimycin A and other toxins using porcine kidney cells.

Main Results:

  • Streptomyces isolates from grains produced heat-stable substances inhibiting sperm motility.
  • Several barley isolates produced antimycin A, a mitochondrial toxin.
  • Antimcyin A's mitochondrial toxicity was comparable to other known toxins, but lower than cereulide and paenilide.

Conclusions:

  • Toxin-producing Streptomyces, particularly those producing antimycin A, are present in stored cereal grains.
  • These findings suggest a previously unrecognized threat to food and feed safety from microbial toxins in grains.
Keywords:
Antimycin AAntimycin A (PubChem CID: 12550)Cereal grainsEnniatin BEnniatin B (PubChem CID: 164754)Food safetyMitochondriotoxicStreptomyces albidoflavus

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