Katherine Muñoz

RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau

Fallopia japonica and Impatiens glandulifera are major plant invaders on a global scale that often become dominant in riparian areas. However, little is known about how these species affect interactions in soil–plant systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of both species on abiotic and biotic soil properties, with a special fo...

Aflatoxins (AFs) are fungal secondary metabolites frequently detected in soil that exhibit in vitro toxicity to certain soil microorganisms. However, microbial responses at different levels and in complex systems such as the soil environment have not been systematically studied. Therefore, we investigated multiple microbial responses in two differe...

According to the European circular economy strategy, all plastic packaging placed on the market by 2030 has to be recyclable. However, for recycled plastics in direct contact with food, there are still major safety concerns because (non-)intentionally added substances can potentially migrate from recycled polymers into foodstuffs. Therefore, the Eu...

The invasive plant species Fallopia japonica is suspected to use polyphenols as a novel weapon to inhibit nitrification in soil. Both specific polyphenols and their entry pathways are yet to be determined. As plants may increase the production of polyphenols under copper (Cu) stress, an additive effect can be expected in contaminated (riparian) are...

In a 28-days experiment, we investigated the dissipation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0.5–500 $${\upmu }\text {g}\,\text {kg}^{-1}$$ μ g kg - 1 ) by microbial (MD) and photodegradation (PD) in two contrasting soils (sandy loam and clay). Sterile incubation in darkness served as control (C). AFB1 was degraded in all scenarios according to simple first-or...

Der Einsatz von landwirtschaftlichen Plastikabdeckungen verspricht Ertragssteigerungen und eine verbesserte Erntequalität. Meist werden dabei Folien und Vliese aus Polyethylen (PE) und Polypropylen (PP) verwendet. Allerdings wird vermutet, dass ein Teil dieser Abdeckungen während ihrer bis zu zehnjährigen Nutzungsdauer durch physikalische Beanspruc...

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) are emerging pollutants detected in many locations of the world including Antarctica. The main objective of this review is to discuss the influence of the human population on the concentration, distribution and biological effects of PPCPs across the Antarctic coastal marine ecosystem. We carried ou...

In a 28-days experiment, we investigated the dissipation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (0.5-500 µg kg −1) by microbial (MD) and photodegradation (PD) in two contrasting soils (sandy loam and clay). Sterile incubation in darkness served as control (C). AFB1 was degraded in all scenarios according to simple first-order kinetics with 50% dissipation times of...

The production of mycotoxins is often interpreted as fungal response to cope with unfavorable growth conditions induced by toxic substances, environmental and biological factors. Soil covers influence soil environment, which consequently can change the abundance and composition of microbial communities. We investigated how plastic coverage (PC) inf...

This study aimed to evaluate changes in abundance, structure, and enzyme activity of the soil microbiome in response to 4 years of mulching using either black polyethylene plastic film (PM) or wheat straw (SM). Soil samples (depth 0–5 and 5–10 cm) were collected from conventional strawberry plots, in two samplings: 1 week prior (S1) and 7 weeks aft...

While mycotoxins are generally regarded as food contamination issues, there is growing interest in mycotoxins as environmental pollutants. The main sources of trichothecene and zearalenone mycotoxins in the environment are mainly attributed to Fusarium infested fields, where mycotoxins can wash off in infested plants or harvest residues. Subsequent...

The continuous pressure of a higher human activity in the Fildes peninsula over the last decades, may also represent a source of emerging contaminants, namely plastics, in this ecosystem. Plastics have been shown as a new threat to the coastal and marine environments, but few attention has been paid so far to soils as a potential source of plastics...

Agricultural plastic covers made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) provide increased yields and an improved crop quality. However, such covers are suspected of partially breaking down into smaller debris and thereby contributing to soil pollution with microplastics. To scrutinize this, we randomly sampled 240 topsoil cores (0–5 cm) from...

Purpose The application of plastic mulching differs globally as well as climate, soils, crops, and agricultural practices, making it difficult to generalize the reported impacts on soil. Because literature is scarce about the influence of plastic mulching on soil under temperate, humid climate, the objective of this study was to understand how mult...

The use of agricultural plastic covers offers increased yields and an improved crop quality. The most applied materials are polyethylene (PE) films and polypropylene (PP) fleeces. Although made to last for up to five years, parts of these covers are suspected of breaking down into smaller debris due to physical stress and may thereby contribute to...

Mycotoxins pose a health concern for humans. Therefore, strategies at pre- and post-harvest and maximum levels for food have been implemented, aimed to minimize the risk of dietary exposure. Yet, consumers’ dietary habits and life style play a substantial role in overall exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of mycotoxins and...

Agricultural plastic covers made from polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) offer increased yields and an improved crop quality. However, such covers are suspected of partially breaking down into smaller debris and thereby contributing to soil pollution with microplastics. To scrutinize this, we randomly sampled 240 topsoil cores (0-5 cm) from e...

Aflatoxins (AFs) are toxic fungal secondary metabolites that are commonly detected in food commodities. Currently, there is a lack of generic methods capable of determining AFs both at postharvest stages in agricultural products and preharvest stages, namely, the agricultural soil. Here, we present a simple and reliable method for quantitative anal...

Plastic and straw coverage (PC and SC) are often combined with fungicide application but their influence on fungicide entry into soil and the resulting consequences for soil quality are still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of PC and SC, combined with fungicide application, on soil residual concentrations of fungi...

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) are frequent mycotoxins that may cause carcinogenic, mutagenic, estrogenic, or gastrointestinal effects. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to and risk from AFB1, OTA, ZEN, and DON in 172 participants of the Maule Cohort (MAUCO) by a biomarker analysi...

A microcosm study was conducted at two different temperatures under laboratory conditions to investigate the regulatory capacity and the interactive performance of two soil fauna species (Aporrectodea caliginosa, earthworms, and Proisotoma minuta, collembolans) on the reduction of Fusarium toxins in contaminated maize stubbles. Single and mixed spe...

While mineral fertilization increases agricultural yields, it also bears the risk of contaminating non-target ecosystems and negatively affecting soil chemical parameters and microbial communities. This calls for alternative and more sustainable agricultural practices that reduce the use of fertilizers. Flood pulse irrigation could be an alternativ...

Plastic mulching (PM) has become a widely applied agricultural practice to optimize plant growth. However, it is still under debate how PM influences biogeochemical soil processes and thus important factors of soil quality, such as soil organic matter (SOM) composition, aggregate stability and microbial biomass. Our objective was to identify the im...

The majority of plastic is produced, used and disposed of on land, where it probably disintegrates into debris smaller than 5 mm, so-called microplastics. Until now, the lack of adequate analytical methods for the quantification of plastic debris in soil has challenged a better understanding of their occurrence and fate in the terrestrial environme...

The lack of adequate analytical methods for the quantification of plastic debris in soil challenges a better understanding of their occurrence and fate in the terrestrial environment. With this proof-of-principle study, we developed a simple and fast method for the selective quantification of the three most environmentally relevant polymers polyeth...

The lack of adequate analytical methods for the quantification of plastic debris in soil challenges a better understanding of their occurrence and fate in the terrestrial environment. With this proof-of-principle study, we developed a simple and fast method for the selective quantification of the three most environmentally relevant polymers polyeth...

Obwohl zu vermuten ist, dass Plastik in erheblichen Mengen in die terrestrische Umwelt eingetragen wird, liegt der aktuelle Forschungsschwerpunkt über den Verbleib und die Auswirkungen von Plastikpartikeln überwiegend auf aquatischen Systemen. Zum Grad der Verschmutzung und den Auswirkungen von Mikroplastik im Boden liegen hingegen so gut wie keine...

Um die Umweltbelastung durch Mikroplastik und dessen Schicksal besser charakterisieren zu können, benötigt es geeignete analytische Methoden. Während bisherige mikrospektroskopische Verfahren wie Fourier-Transform-Infrarotspektroskopie und Raman-Spektroskopie eine aufwendige Probenvorbereitung erfordern und anfällig für falsch positive Ergebnisse s...

Der Einsatz von Plastikabdeckungen in der Landwirtschaft verspricht Ertragssteigerungen und eine verbesserte Erntequalität. Meist werden dabei Folien und Vliese aus Polyethylen (PE) und Polypropylen (PP) unterschiedlicher Qualität und Eigenschaften verwendet. Es wird vermutet, dass Teile der Plastikabdeckungen während ihrer bis zu fünfjährigen Anwe...

The aims of this study were to analyse the occurrence of aflatoxins, aflatoxin M1 (AFM 1), fumonisins, ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in foodstuffs consumed in Chile between 2008 and 2017 and to estimate the contribution of main contaminated foodstuff in human exposure by the probable daily intake (PDI...

Research on mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic fungi is mostly focussed on infestation of the crop and contamination of harvest. Much is known about the chemistry of mycotoxins, their occurrence in crops, and associated health risks. However, soil as a habitat and source of mycotoxigenic fungi and a potential source of mycotoxins has largely been overloo...

Determining whether the structural and functional stress responses of communities are similar across space and time is paramount for forecasting and extrapolating the consequences of anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and their services. Stream ecosystems are under high anthropogenic pressure; however, studies have only examined the response of...

Die übersaisonale Nachfrage nach Lebensmitteln aus Sonderkulturen wie Erdbeeren, Spargel, Rhabarber und Salat stellt die regionale Landwirtschaft vor wachsende Herausforderungen. Um den steigenden Bedarf decken und international konkurrieren zu können, greifen Landwirte zunehmend zu Abdeckungen und Mulchen aus Plastik. Solche Plastikfolien bergen j...

Infection of cultivated plants with toxigenic fungal pathogens may lead to increased mycotoxin levels in crop products and residues. By leaching from host tissue of infected plants, mycotoxins can enter soil and water as potential environmental contaminants. In agroecosystems, fungivorous soil fauna can be antagonistic to pathogen infection and myc...

The aim of the project PLAST is an interdisciplinary investigation of environmental risks through the intensive use of plastics, as well as to contribute to the limitation of risks based on the knowledge gained. Research is required in this field as potential risks haven’t been adequately examined yet. However, a good understanding of the risks and...

Current and future agriculture is facing huge challenges such as continuous degradation of soils and the accompanying loss of soil biodiversity. Another threat to agricultural production poses the change of the global climate since more favourable conditions for certain pathogens are predicted. Thus, changed patterns and distributions of toxigenic...

In agriculture, the use of plastic mulch (plasticulture) is globally increasing. Besides beneficial effects on crop yield and quality, possible adverse environmental effects associated with plastic mulch are currently under debate. Aside from the obvious disadvantages of substantial amounts of (micro)plastic waste, adverse effects on soil quality a...

Exclusive breast feeding is recommended by international bodies for the first six months of life. Because of the presence of contaminants, breast feeding might lead to toxicologically relevant exposure of the nursed child. Exposure towards mycotoxins is of specific interest because of their widespread occurrence in food and of their toxicological p...

The aim of this study was to understand the differences in physicochemical and microbial soil quality resulting from the use of either wheat straw or black polyethylene, two widely used practices in strawberry cultivation. Soil samples were collected from strawberry crops used during 4 years as mono-cropping system, covered by either straw or black...

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin known for its nephrotoxic and carcinogenic properties, is a worldwide occurring contaminant in a variety of food commodities. Biomonitoring (i.e. analysis in biological fluids) can serve to assess human internal exposure from all consumed foods and beverages. We now determined the concentration of OTA and its metabol...

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin with nephrotoxic and carcinogenic properties, is an important contaminant of food and feed. Analysis of OTA in human biological fluids (blood, urine, or breast milk) has documented frequent exposure to this mycotoxin, yet at quite variable levels in different population groups across the world. Urine is the preferred...

Plastic mulching (PM) is a widely used practice in modern agriculture because they generate conditions for optimal yield rates and quality. However, information about long-term effects of PC on soil quality parameters is scarce. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of three different mulching managements on soil quality parameters. Sampli...

Plastic mulching has become a globally applied agricultural practice for its instant economic benefits such as higher yields, earlier harvests, improved fruit quality and increased water-use efficiency. However, knowledge of the sustainability of plastic mulching remains vague in terms of both an environmental and agronomic perspective. This review...

Plastic mulching (PM) is widely used in modern agriculture because of its advantageous effects on soil temperature and water conservation, factors which strongly influence the microbiology of the soil. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of PM on mycotoxin occurrence in relation with mycobiome abundance/diversity and soil physicochemical...

In this study human exposure to the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) and its thermal degradation product 2'R-ochratoxin A (2'R-OTA, previously named as 14R-Ochratoxin A [22]) through coffee consumption was assessed. LC-MS/MS and the dried blood spot (DBS) technique were used for the analysis of blood samples from coffee and non-coffee drinkers (n = 50)...

Rainfall-triggered runoff is a major driver of pesticide input in streams. Only few studies have examined the suitability of passive sampling to quantify such episodic exposures. In this study, we used Empore™ styrene-divinylbenzene reverse phase sulfonated disks (SDB disks) and event-driven water samples (EDS) to assess exposure to 15 fungicides a...

Einführung: Muttermilch ist die optimale Nahrung für die kindliche Entwicklung. Wegen der unvermeidbaren Exposition gegenüber Fremdstoffen enthält sie aber auch in der Umwelt ubiquitär vorkommende Schadstoffe, die vom Menschen hauptsächlich über Lebensmittel aufgenommen werden. Das Mykotoxin Ochratoxin A (OTA) ist ein potentes Nierentoxin und eines...

Background and aims Olive mill wastewater (OMW) generated in Mediterranean countries is partly disposed of on soil. Its underlying fate mechanisms and influences on plant growth are still largely unknown. Our goal was to understand OMW organic matter (OMW-OM) degradation in soil and its phytotoxic effects. We hypothesized that OMW phytotoxicity de...

The nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is a worldwide contaminant in food commodities and also found frequently in human biological fluids. Dietary contaminants ingested by nursing mothers can appear in breast milk. But the rate of lactational transfer of OTA has not been investigated so far at various stages of breastfeeding...

Introduction: Breast milk is the best form of nutrition early in life, yet it may contain contaminants which were ingested by mothers. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known nephrotoxin with carcinogenic properties and a frequent food contaminant. Ingested OTA is partly excreted with human milk and studies conducted in different countries have shown a...

Citrinin (CIT), produced by several Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Monascus species, has been detected as contaminant in feeds, grains, and other food commodities. CIT can co-occur with ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin also known for its nephrotoxicity, and this raises concern regarding possible combined effects. But, in contrast to OTA, data on CIT...

Introduction: Breast milk is the best form of nutrition early in life, yet it may contain contaminants which were ingested by mothers. Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known nephrotoxin with carcinogenic properties and a frequent food contaminant. Ingested OTA is partly excreted with human milk and studies conducted in diff erent countries have shown a...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most widespread mycotoxins, and is produced by several Aspergillus or Penicillium species. Human exposure to OTA is mainly by intake of contaminated food, with cereal products, followed by coffee and red wine as the main sources of OTA. In this study, the OTA production of four ochratoxigenic fungi (two Aspergillus...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a frequent mycotoxin contaminant found worldwide in foods and feedstuffs. Biomonitoring has been used to assess internal OTA exposure resulting from dietary intake and from other sources. Mycotoxin levels in blood and/or urine provide good estimates of past and recent exposure since OTA binds to serum proteins and is also part...

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) and its metabolite ochratoxin alpha (OTα) were determined in milk and blood from nine lactating women who provided samples soon after delivery at a hospital in southern Chile. The analytical method applied liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform, and in the case of blood, an extra purification with solid phase extr...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by different species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi. The presence of this mycotoxin in cereals-based products has relation with manufacturing practices, especially with storage conditions. An extraction procedure for OTA from wheat-based products was implemented in this study. The method uses an alka...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by different species of Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi. The presence of OTA in human blood has been reported in many studies, especially in Europe, however none have been done in South America. In this study, 88 blood samples from healthy donors from two different Chilean agricultural zones were analyze...