Fusarium Mycotoxins: Overlooked Aquatic Micropollutants?

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone are among the most prevalent toxins produced by Fusarium spp. They have been investigated in food and feed products for decades but rarely in the environment. We therefore established solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods to quantify these mycotoxins at trace concentrations in aqueous natural samples. In a model emission study, we inoculated a winter wheat field with Fusarium graminearum and subsequently monitored deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in its drainage water. Before during and after harvest in June and July 2007, these toxins were emitted in concentrations from 23 ng/L to 4.9 µg/L for deoxynivalenol and from not detected to 35 ng/L for zearalenone. Simultaneously, in July and August 2007, deoxynivalenol was also detected in a number of Swiss rivers in concentrations up to 22 ng/L and zearalenone was present in several river samples below the method quantification limit. Other mycotoxins might be emitted from Fusarium-infected fields as well, because some of them are produced in similar amounts as deoxynivalenol and zearalenone and exhibit similar or even higher water solubility than deoxynivalenol. The ecotoxicological consequences of the presence of mycotoxins in surface waters remain to be elucidated.

Effects of water potential on spore germination and viability of Fusarium species

“…studied are potential mycotoxin producers. Mycotoxins as deoxinivalenol or zearalenone were detected in Swiss rivers [6], these and other mycotoxins exibit high solubility. The ecotoxicological effects of the presence of mycotoxins in surface waters remain to be elucidated.…”

Possible way of zearalenone migration in the agricultural environment

“…According to the authors, ZEA concentration in the drainage water from cereals (fields) inoculated with Fusarium graminearum were in the low nanogram level, with the highest being 35 ng/L (Bucheli et al 2008, Hartmann et al 2008. Dudziak (2011) showed ZEA concentration equal to 1.52 and 1.14 ng/L in the lake sample and in the water from melioration ditch located near allotment gardens, respectively.…”

Possible way of zearalenone migration in the agricultural environment

“…A number of research groups have examined ZEA levels in surface waters such as rivers, streams and lakes, but the ZEA content in drainage ditches was studied only in Switzerland (Bucheli et al 2008, Hartmann et al 2008a and in Poland (Dudziak 2011). According to the authors, ZEA concentration in the drainage water from cereals (fields) inoculated with Fusarium graminearum were in the low nanogram level, with the highest being 35 ng/L (Bucheli et al 2008, Hartmann et al 2008.…”