Scientific Opinion on Ergot alkaloids in food and feed

Abstract

<p>The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission to deliver a scientific opinion on ergot alkaloids (EAs) in food and feed. EAs are produced by several members within the fungal orders of Hypocreales and Eurotiales. In Europe, <em>Claviceps purpurea</em> is the most widespread <em>Claviceps</em> species within the Hypocreales. A total of 20 558 analytical results for EAs in 1 716 food, 496 feed and 67 unprocessed grain samples were considered in this opinion. Based on the EAs identified in sclerotia of <em>C. purpurea</em>, and recent literature data, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) based its risk assessment on the main <em>C. purpurea</em> EAs, namely ergometrine, ergotamine, ergosine, ergocristine, ergocryptine (which is a mixture of α- and β- isomers), ergocornine, and the corresponding –inine epimers. The CONTAM Panel performed estimates of both chronic and acute exposure for various age groups across European countries. A BMDL<sub>10</sub> of 0.33 mg/kg b.w. per day was calculated for the incidence of tail muscular atrophy in a 13-week rat feeding study of ergotamine. This effect was considered representative of the vasoconstrictive effects of EAs and provided a suitable reference point for establishment of a group acute reference dose of 1 μg/kg body weight (b.w.) and a group tolerable daily intake of 0.6 μg/kg b.w. per day. The Panel concluded that whilst the available data do not indicate a concern for any population subgroup, the dietary exposure estimates relate to a limited number of food groups and a possible unknown contribution from other foods cannot be discounted. Estimates of exposure for livestock based on example diets and levels of EAs in cereal grains reported suggest that under normal conditions the risk of toxicosis is low.</p&gt

Human and animal dietary exposure to ergot alkaloids

“…Equal relative potency for all EAs was assumed as the available data did not allow determination of relative potencies (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012). In Europe, Claviceps purpurea is the most widespread and it commonly affects cereals such as rye, wheat, triticale, barley, millets and oats.…”

“…The highest concentrations of EAs were reported for rye grains, rye milling products and rye by-products (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012). Around 60% of the food samples collected were from one Member State and 60% of the samples were left-censored, i.e.…”

“…Differences in dietary exposures to EAs were identified among countries, with highest both dietary chronic and acute exposures across the different age groups in countries with high consumption of rye bread and rolls (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012). The chronic dietary exposure in the adult population varied between 0.007 and 0.08 lg/kg body weight (bw) per day for average consumers, and 0.014 and 0.19 lg/kg bw per day for high consumers.…”

“…The chronic dietary exposure in the adult population varied between 0.007 and 0.08 lg/kg body weight (bw) per day for average consumers, and 0.014 and 0.19 lg/kg bw per day for high consumers. or oral exposure for EAs was reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (EFSA, 2005;EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012). The highest chronic exposure to EAs in 'Toddlers' and 'Other children' ranged between 0.03 and 0.17 lg/kg bw per day in 'Toddlers', and between 0.02 and 0.17 lg/kg bw per day in 'Other children'.…”

“…The highest chronic exposure to EAs in 'Toddlers' and 'Other children' ranged between 0.03 and 0.17 lg/kg bw per day in 'Toddlers', and between 0.02 and 0.17 lg/kg bw per day in 'Other children'. Equal relative potency for all EAs was assumed as the available data did not allow determination of relative potencies (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012). 'Toddlers' and 'Other children' showed the highest acute exposure to EAs.…”