Level of contamination with deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and fumonisins in cereal products – assessment of consumer exposure

Abstract

Objective. The main aim of this study was to determine the content of mycotoxins, such as: deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins (FUM) in cereal products, and such products intended for infants. The secondary objective was to assess consumer exposure to the DON, ZEA and FUM occurring in cereal products, including those intended for infants and young children. Materials and method. The study included cereals and cereal products such as flours, grits, pastas, products of the bakery industry, snacks and cereal products intended for infants and young children, available in retail outlets in the Małopolska Province of Poland. DON content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a DAD detector, while the contents of ZEA and FUM were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results. The determined concentration of mycotoxins exceeded the maximum level specified in food law in only two cases. DON level in maize flour was 1511.0 μg kg -1 and exceeded the maximal residue level (MRL) set at 750.0 μg kg -1 . The value of MRL for ZEA was over the permissible value of 75.0 μg kg -1 in the maize flour sample only, and was 212.0 μg kg -1 . None of the samples examined was beyond the permissible level of FUM. Conclusions. Levels higher than those permissible for the examined cereal products were noted in only two cases. FUMs were the most commonly found Fusarium mycotoxins, followed by DON and ZEA. The mean exposure doses of the assessed mycotoxins, resulting from the consumption of cereal products in the selected populations, were at low levels (reaching a maximum of 6.81%) and did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) or provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI). Therefore, the observed average chronic exposure dose not pose a health risk to consumers.

An enhanced fluorescent sensor system based on molecularly imprinted polymer chips with silver nanoparticles for highly-sensitive zearalenone analysis

“…The LOD obtained was well below the regulated levels for zearalenone in food products and animal feed, which comprise 20-100 ppm. 18,45 But, still, the achieved LOD of 1 µg mL −1 is not enough to compete with highly sensitive analytical tools. Thus, we investigated the opportunity to upgrade the sensitivity of the developed fluorescent sensor system by using the fluorescence enhancement phenomenon with silver nanoparticles that were embedded in the MIP films' structure.…”

The association of food ingredients in breakfast cereal products and fumonisins production: risks identification and predictions

“…Fumonisins are produced by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum which most frequently attack maize crops worldwide. They can also be found in many other grains such as rice, wheat, barley, rye, and oats (Zentai et al 2019 ; Pokrzywa and Surma 2022 ). Previous research has shown that F. verticillioides produces high levels of mycotoxins in maize and rice-derived foods at an optimal temperature between 25 and 35 °C (Huong et al 2016 ; Sacco et al 2020 ).…”

Avaliação da eficácia de diferentes adsorventes para redução de efeitos tóxicos combinados de micotoxinas na alimentação de vacas em lactação

“…Na Índia, 84% das 117 amostras de cereais, incluindo trigo, arroz, milho e aveia, testaram positivas para ZEN, sendo que 33% delas ultrapassaram os limites estabelecidos pela UE (Rai et al, 2018). Na Polônia, produtos à base de cereais também apresentaram ZEN, como farinha de milho, com média de 212,0 μg/kg, excedendo o limite de 75,0 μg/kg permitido (Pokrzywa & Surma, 2022).…”