Presence of Multiple Mycotoxins and Other Fungal Metabolites in Native Grasses from a Wetland Ecosystem in Argentina Intended for Grazing Cattle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of several fungal metabolites, including mycotoxins in natural grasses (Poaceae) intended for grazing cattle. A total number of 72 and 77 different metabolites were detected on 106 and 69 grass samples collected during 2011 and 2014, respectively. A total of 60 metabolites were found across both years. Among the few mycotoxins considered toxic for ruminants, no samples of natural grasses were contaminated with aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, ergot alkaloids, and gliotoxin, among others. However, we were able to detect important metabolites (toxic to ruminants) such as type A trichothecenes, mainly T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin (up to 5000 µg/kg each), and zearalenone (up to 2000 µg/kg), all at very high frequencies and levels. Other fungal metabolites that were found to be prevalent were other Fusarium metabolites like beauvericin, equisetin and aurofusarin, metabolites produced by Alternaria spp., sterigmatocystin and its precursors and anthrachinone derivatives. It is important to point out that the profile of common metabolites was shared during both years of sampling, and also that the occurrence of important metabolites is not a sporadic event. Considering that this area of temperate grassland is used for grazing cattle all year long due to the richness in palatable grasses (Poaceae), the present work represents a starting point for further studies on the occurrence of multi-mycotoxins in natural grasses in order to have a complete picture of the extent of cattle exposure. Also, the present study shows that the presence of zeranol in urine of beef cattle may not be a consequence of illegal use of this banned substance, but the product of the natural occurrence of zearalenone and α-zearalenol in natural grasses intended for cattle feeding.

Mycotoxin Contamination in Sugarcane Grass and Juice: First Report on Detection of Multiple Mycotoxins and Exposure Assessment for Aflatoxins B1 and G1 in Humans

“…In animals the systemic administration of 3-NPA is suspected to cause Huntington's disease–like symptoms [50]. In a survey from Argentina in 2011 and 2014, the maximum concentration in native grass for grazing cattle ranged from 28.8–120 μg/kg [51] which is lower than the present report; however, higher concentrations were detected by Ezekiel et al (2012) in poultry feed from Nigeria (up to 947 μg/kg) [52]. Therefore, the toxic effect of 3-NPA may affect humans through chewing raw sugarcane grass while it may affect animals through feeding on grass left over or on the bagasse of sugarcane.…”

Nutritive Value and Mycotoxin Contamination of Herbage in Mountain Locality Exposed to Renewed Cattle Grazing

“…Natural occurrence of ZEA in pasture forage has o en been reported in the literature, mainly from New Zealand where it has been identifi ed as an agent causing fertility problems in sheep (Di Menna et al, 1987, 1991Garthwaite et al, 1994;Towers, 1993;Smith and Morris, 2006) and recently from Australia (Reed and Moore, 2009) or Argentina (Salvat et al, 2013;Ramirez et al, 2014;Nichea et al, 2015). Although ZEA occurrence in pasture forage in Europe can also be expected (Summerell et al, 2010;Szécsi et al, 2013) (Engels and Krämer, 1996;Golinski et al, 2003;Skládanka et al, 2011).…”

“…However, recent studies proved that pasture sward can be contaminated with signifi cant amounts of mycotoxins (e.g. Laser et al, 2001;Arslan and Essiz, 2009;Skládanka et al, 2009Skládanka et al, , 2011Ramirez et al, 2014;Nichea et al, 2015) suggesting that pasture may have a signifi cant impact on the total intake of mycotoxins (Signorini et al, 2012).…”

AlternariaMycotoxins in Food and Feed: An Overview

“…Monocerin is a polyketide metabolite isolated from several fungal species showing antifungal, phytotoxic, insecticidal, and plant pathogenic properties [44]. Monocerin and its analogues were proven to be nonspecific toxins and nonspecific seed germination inhibitors by their interference with selected stages of cell division cycles.…”