Background: Today, mycotoxins are considered critical contaminants in foodstuffs produced by fungi, highlighting the importance of food safety to human health. The toxigenic fungi invasion and mycotoxin production are highly variable and depend on climate, plant, and agronomic practices. Among these, Aflatoxins (AFs) are considered the most potent toxins. This study investigated the fungi presence and AFB1 contamination in corn and wheat grown in Albania during the 2022 harvesting year. Methods: Wheat samples were collected during the summer, while corn during the autumn, and further analyzed. Mycological contamination assessment applied the Verband Deutscher Landëirtschaftlicher Untersuchungs ̶ und Forschungsanstalten (VDLUFA) procedures. The AFB1 levels were measured using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The MATLAB R2016b software was applied to perform statistical analysis. The Estimated Daily Intake on AFB1 was calculated to evaluate human exposure. Results: The genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium were isolated, with higher rates of contamination in corn and the highest frequency Penicillium genus (77.89%). The Korça region presented a higher fungal load, 104 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g in corn. The AFB1 incidence (88.23%) in corn, was significantly higher than in wheat (4.91%). Additionally, the maximum level in corn was found 69.120 μg/kg, while in wheat, only 0.402 μg/kg. None of the wheat samples, in contrast to the 41.18% of corn samples, exceeded the threshold when referring to the respective Maximum Residue Levels. Conclusions: Our observation indicates a higher rate of AFB1 contamination in corn than in wheat. The high concentration levels and contamination incidence in corn require targeted interventions to reduce the AFB1 amounts. Strengthened regulation based on scientific evidence can reduce contamination outbreaks, economic implications, and potential benefits, such as increased consumer trust. Our study indicates that the exposure to AFB1 originates from corn consumption among the adult population. DOI: 10.18502/jfqhc.11.1.14996

Consumption of polythene is unavoidable in this era and it is increasing day by day. Polythene’s hazardous waste is adversely effecting environment. In fact any form of polythene is a nuisance to the environment because of strong resistance against degradation thus; they remain in nature for a very long time. Biodegradation is the only promising solution to overcome this problem.  Fungi, a group of saprophytic organisms are evolved to adapt for almost every environment, specially marine and freshwater source. This property drives fungi to grown on polythene even in adverse environment. So, present study was planned to compare biological degradation of low density polythene [LDPE] and biodegradable polythene by potential fungus to find out an eco-friendly and economic solution of polythene waste. Ten fungal strains were isolated from rotting polythene debris those are Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus nigricans, Chaetomium murorum, Memnoniella echinata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum, in which Penicillium chrysogenum, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus showed greatest results in terms of degrading both Low density polythene and biodegradable polythene. These isolates also showed good enzymatic reaction and weight loss. SEM analysis of polythene surface was also in support of these findings.

Introduction: Fungal infection of the nail, also known as onychomycosis, is a worldwide problem. It is estimated that onychomycosis constitutes 15-22 percent of all nail disorders. It is also known that 2-5 percent of the adult population in Europe have onychomycosis. This problem is quite common in the dermatology clinic of the countries in the Midle East, India and the Far East. The infection rates and types of fungi involved in onychomycosis vary with conditions such as age, sex, occupation, hygiene, foot wear and several environmental and climatic factors. Methods and Materials: A retrospective study of nail infection was carried out in the section of Medical Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran from April 1993 to March 1999. Nineteen hundreds eighty five cases examined for toe and finger nail infections.Results: Ranging in age were from 3 months to 84 years old. This study reports the causative agents of onychomycosis in the presented patients in the section of Medical Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran. The 1985 patients were examined for onychomycosis.Diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of fungi in direct (KOH 20 percent) and cultural examination. Onychomycosis were proven in 601 patients. Three hundreds fifty patients were females (59 percent). The fingernails were more commonly positive in females (73.5 percent) than males, while the toenail positivity rate in males was 69 percent. Among 601 isolated species, dermatophytes were 308 cases (51 percent) mainly from toenail were predominant. Candida SPP. Were isolated in 46 percent of the cases, especially from fingernails. Nondermatophytic molds were isolated only in 3 percent of the patients (18 cases). Most common isolated dermatophytes were Trichophyton rubrum (66.5 percent) and T. Ylentagrophytes (24.6 percent). Other isolated dermatophytes were: violaceum, T. schoenleinii and Microsporum gypseum. Candida albicans were isolated in 40.9 percent of the yeast onychomycosis. Non- dermatophytyic molds were Aspergillos, Acromonium, Fusarium and Chrysosporium.Conclusion: Onychomycosis represent 30 percent of all mycotic infections of the skin. Their promoting factors, clinical aspects and differential diagnosis have been reviewed. It is necessary to confirm the clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis by laboratory tests (direct microscopy and cultures).