Presence of Fusarium mycotoxins in feedstuffs and cow milk sampled from Croatian farms during 2015

Abstract

Mycotoxins may contaminate food of animal origin due to the carry-over effect and represent a potential risk to human health. The problem of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination becomes an issue especially during rainy years characterised by substantial temperature changes. The aim of this study was to investigate into the level of Fusarium mycotoxins zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FUM) in maize silage (n=21), concentrated dairy cattle feeds (n=56) and cow milk samples (n=105), taken during 2015 from households located in four Croatian regions. The presence of mycotoxins was determined using validated ELISA methods. A high level of feedstuffs' contamination was evidenced, especially with ZEN, with values higher than recommended observed in 9.5 % of maize silage samples. Fourteen point three percent (14.3 %) of milk samples were DON positive, with the toxin concentrations ranging from 5.4 to 67.3 µg/L. ZEN was determined in 94.3 % of milk samples, ranging from 0.3 to 88.6 µg/L. FUM were not detected in any of the analysed milk samples. Given the tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) defined for these mycotoxins, human health risks arising from the consumption of cow milk can generally be considered low, even in times characterised by weather conditions that facilitate the production of Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals subsequently used as dairy cattle feed. The exception represents particular milk samples in which high ZEN concentrations were found.

Multi-Mycotoxin Contamination of Maize Silages in Flanders, Belgium: Monitoring Mycotoxin Levels from Seed to Feed

“…NIV and DON were the most prevalent mycotoxins in our survey, followed by ENN B. DON is part of the multi-mycotoxin analysis in most surveys and has been found regularly in maize silages around the world [ 17 , 29 , 35 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 59 ]. In the global survey by Gruber-Dorninger et al (2019) [ 46 ], DON was the most prevalent mycotoxin in maize silages worldwide, with a 62% incidence.…”

“…Over the course of three years, 8.3% of the silage samples exceeded the EU regulation for DON and 12.0% for ZEN. In previous literature, concentrations regularly exceeded the EU regulations for DON or ZEN in maize silages [ 29 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 52 , 59 ]. Pleadin et al (2017) [ 59 ] found that 4.8% of maize silages in 2015 in Croatia exceeded the EU regulation for ZEN, and 9.5% for DON.…”

“…In previous literature, concentrations regularly exceeded the EU regulations for DON or ZEN in maize silages [ 29 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 52 , 59 ]. Pleadin et al (2017) [ 59 ] found that 4.8% of maize silages in 2015 in Croatia exceeded the EU regulation for ZEN, and 9.5% for DON. Maximum concentrations of 7111 µg/kg (the UK [ 42 ]), 14,470 µg/kg (Poland [ 52 ]) and 34,861 µg/kg (global [ 46 ]) have been found for DON, and 3901 µg/kg (the UK [ 42 ]), 6239 µg/kg (global [ 46 ]) and 11,424 µg/kg (Croatia [ 59 ]) for ZEN.…”

“…Pleadin et al (2017) [ 59 ] found that 4.8% of maize silages in 2015 in Croatia exceeded the EU regulation for ZEN, and 9.5% for DON. Maximum concentrations of 7111 µg/kg (the UK [ 42 ]), 14,470 µg/kg (Poland [ 52 ]) and 34,861 µg/kg (global [ 46 ]) have been found for DON, and 3901 µg/kg (the UK [ 42 ]), 6239 µg/kg (global [ 46 ]) and 11,424 µg/kg (Croatia [ 59 ]) for ZEN. Several authors found maize silages that exceeded the EU regulation for AFB1, for instance in Serbia [ 45 ], Greece [ 60 ], and Brazil [ 39 ].…”

Hydrophobized Reversed-Phase Adsorbent for Protection of Dairy Cattle against Lipophilic Toxins from Diet. Efficiensy In Vitro and In Vivo

“…The danger of the presence of mycotoxins in feed for cattle and other farm animals, in addition to the harm posed to livestock health and reduced productivity [30,31], is complemented by the risk of their transfer to animal products—mainly milk [32,33,34,35], eggs and meat [36,37,38,39]—and thus their inclusion in the human food chains [40,41,42]. First of all, this refers to non-polar toxins, capable of bioaccumulation [43].…”