In Serbia, aspergillus ear rot caused by the disease pathogen Aspergillus parasiticus (A. parasiticus) was first detected in 2012 under both field and storage conditions. Global climate shifts, primarily warming, favour the contamination of maize with aflatoxins in temperate climates, including Serbia. A five-year study (2012–2016) comprising of 46 A. parasiticus strains isolated from maize kernels was performed to observe the morphological, molecular, pathogenic, and toxigenic traits of this pathogen. The HPLC method was applied to evaluate mycotoxin concentrations in this causal agent. The A. parasiticus isolates synthesised mainly aflatoxin AFB1 (84.78%). The percentage of isolates synthesising aflatoxin AFG1 (15.22%) was considerably lower. Furthermore, the concentration of AFG1 was higher than that of AFB1 in eight isolates. The polyphase approach, used to characterise isolates, showed that they were A. parasiticus species. This identification was verified by the multiplex RLFP-PCR detection method with the use of restriction enzymes. These results form an excellent baseline for further studies with the aim of application in the production, processing, and storage of cereal grains and seeds, and in technological processes to ensure the safe production of food and feed.

The species of the genus Aspergillus, A. flavus and A. parasiticus, are the most aflatoxin-producing fungi. All previous studies carried out under the production conditions of Serbia showed no presence of A. parasiticus on wheat kernel. On the basis of changes in climatic factors, such as occurrence of high temperatures and prolonged droughts, which favour increased frequency of Aspergillus spp., we assumed that this pathogen can also be present in Serbia. The significance of direct losses as a consequence of wheat kernel infection, as well as potential contamination with aflatoxins, have pointed out to the need to determine the presence of toxigenic potential of A. flavus and A. parasiticus isolates originating from Serbia. For that purpose, wheat kernel samples were collected in nine locations. According to morphological, toxicological and molecular traits of isolated fungi, the presence of A. flavus and A. parasiticus was confirmed. This is the first time that A. parasiticus was identified on wheat under climatic conditions in Serbia. This study indicates that these pathogens may be a potential danger in wheat production in the region of Serbia. This danger will be much more certain if global climatic changes continue as they will provide more intensive development of these pathogens.

Fumonisins are Fusarium mycotoxins that occur in corn and corn-based foods and they have been implicated in several animal and human diseases. Their effect on human health is unclear, however, fumonisins are considered to be risk factors for cancer. Baking, frying, and extrusion cooking of corn at high temperatures (190?C) reduce fumonisin concentrations in foods, with the amount of reduction achieved depending on cooking time, temperature, recipe, and other factors. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of temperature (200 and 220 ?C) and time (15 and 20 min) on the detoxification of corn flour deliberately contaminated with DON and ZON. After processing at 200?C for 15 min, an average of 12% and after 20 min an average of 15% of DON was lost. At 200?C ZON content was reduced by 22% (after 15 min) and by 27% (after 20 min). Higher temperature (220?C) did not significantly affect further reduction of DON or ZON content. The process was only partially effective in both cases.

In the present study, the frequency of toxigenic fungi and occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and total fumonisins (FBs) in the kernels of six maize hybrids from different FAO maturity groups (ZP 341, ZP 427, ZP 434, ZP 560, ZP 606, ZP 666) in three localities (Belosavci, Ladjevci and Divci) in Serbia, during the harvest in 2013, was investigated. Using standard mycological tests of maize kernels, the presence of potentially toxigenic fungi species from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium was found. In the studied localities, species Fusarium verticillioides was the most frequently isolated from the most hybrids, with a maximum frequency of 30%, while the presence of Aspergillus spp. ranged from 0 to 16%, and Penicillium spp. from 0 to 20%. By applying Immunoadsorbent enzymatic assay (ELISA) the concentrations of AFB1, DON and FBs were determined in maize. The differences between tested hybrids in the level of mycotoxins in kernels were statistically significant (P?0.01) for DON and FBs, but not for the content of AFB1. Also, the interaction between the hybrid and location was significant (P?0.01) for the level of DON and FBs, while there was no statistical significance for the level of AFB1. Maximum values of AFB1, DON and FBs level were 1.02 ?g kg-1 (ZP 427), 12 ?g kg-1 (ZP 341) and 1528.56 ?g kg-1 (ZP 427). The concentrations of the tested mycotoxins in kernels did not exceed the maximum allowed limits stipulated by Serbian regulations (Sluzbeni glasnik RS, 2014). Given that agro-ecological conditions in Serbia are favourable for the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins, it is necessary to exert the control of maize kernels annually, in harvest and postharvest periods. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31023 i br. TR 31053]

The primary aim of this research was to investigate the effect of dilute alkaline steeping on molds and toxicity of maize malt. Samples of maize were collected from one farm located in the Serbian autonomous region Vojvodina. Steeping regimes were performed by using 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% NaOH solutions. The effects of these solutions on mold contamination, total aflatoxin (AFLA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZON), rootlet length, moisture, total nitrogen, content of protein, fat content, ash content, content of total carbohydrates, and energy value of maize malt were evaluated. Steeping in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% NaOH reduced the levels of molds from 10 6 to 10 4 CFU/g, and steeping in 0.3% NaOH eliminated some of the mold genera. Also, it significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the level of total AFLA, DON, and ZON. However, steeping in (control) water also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the level of DON and ZON. Malting also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) total nitrogen and therefore content of proteins. However, steeping in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% NaOH caused significantly smaller reductions (P < 0.05). Significant reduction (P < 0.05) was also observed in the rootlet length, content of fat, and ash content. Steeping in 0.3% NaOH is proposed as a method for the reduction of mold and AFLA, DON, and ZON contamination during maize malting. Energy value of maize increases in the malting process regardless of the steeping regime.