Evaluation of mycotoxin-contaminated cereals for their use in animal feeds in Hungary

Abstract

In the period between December 5, 1991 and September 17, 1998, 760 maize, 367 wheat, 119 soybean, 222 barley, 85 bran, 32 triticale, 60 oat, 14 rye and 22 sunflower samples were investigated for the presence and concentration of seven fusariotoxins (T-2 toxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2 toxin, fusarenone-X) and OTA. The comparison of analytical data with those of the relevant literature revealed that although the incidence rate and/or concentration of Fusarium mycotoxins and OTA in Hungarian-grown cereals is occasionally considerable, the position of the country is not worse that the average of countries. Our findings indicate that soybean tends to be good substrate for trichothecene-producing fungi and the rate of contamination is regarded as substantial. The commodities were assorted into one of three quality categories. The proportion of objectionable samples was only 3.0, 2.2, 2.3 and 1.7% in maize, wheat, barley and soybean samples, respectively. However, this low rate of objection might still be a source of great economic loss. The proportion of objectionable samples was much higher in the case of bran, oat and triticale (7.1, 6.7, and 6.3%, respectively). The results of the present investigation indicate a need for regular screening for mycotoxins of importance and individual appraisal of each commodity from the point of their use in animal feeds.

Co-occurrence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in breakfast cereals from spanish market

“…According to different researches, mycotoxins are found on and directly beneath the epidermis of the grain (Rafai, Bata, Jakab and Vanyi, 2000). Therefore, the foodstuffs with high-fiber content would be more prone to have mycotoxins.…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to Deoxynivalenol (DON) as undesirable substance in animal feed

“…For maize, wheat and barley the ranges of DON contamination were reported to be 50 -870, 70 -1560 and 50 -1200 µg/kg respectively. This paper (Rafai et al, 2000) also reports DON in bran (50 -960 µg/kg), soybean (60 -720 µg/kg) and sunflower (150 µg/kg) intended for animal feed. Mycotoxin surveillance in the UK (Scudamore et al, 1998) focussed on maize and maize products as ingredients of animal feed.…”

“…This overview (see (Rafai et al, 2000) and between 1991 and 1998 analysis of maize, wheat, barley, oats, triticale, rye, bran, soybean and sunflower was carried out (1666 samples in total). These data cannot be compared directly with the SCOOP results, as in this case ranges of levels found and % of incidence are reported, but no detailed numbers of samples within specified ranges of DON contamination are provided.…”

ESCO report: Advice on the EFSA guidance document for the safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations intended for use as food supplements, based on real case studies

“…In the USA, 37 % of wheat bran samples contained DON at levels higher than 1000 µg/kg (Trigo Stockli et al, 1996), which is higher than the limit recommended by the Codex for cereal products (500 µg/kg) (quoted by Visconti et al, 2004). Similarly, in Hungary (Rafai et al, 2000), the percentage of non-acceptable samples of bran was two to three times higher than that for wheat and corn.…”