Trichothecenes, ochratoxin A and zearalenone contamination and Fusarium infection in Finnish cereal samples in 1998

Abstract

The occurrences and concentrations of trichothecenes, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in Finnish cereal samples are presented in this study. Furthermore, injections by moulds, especially Fusarium contamination of grains in the same samples, are reported. In total 68 cereal samples, including 43 rye, 4 wheat, 15 barley and 6 oats samples, were collected after a cool and very rainy growing season in 1998. A gas chromatograph combined with a mass spectrometric detector was used for determination of seven different trichothecenes. A high performance liquid chromatograph with a fluorescence detector was used for ochratoxin A and zearalenone determination. For the identification of moulds, the grain samples were incubated and the moulds were isolated and identified by microscopy. The analytical methods were validated for mycotoxin analysis and they were found to be adequately reliable and sensitive. Heavy rainfalls in the summer and autumn of 1998 caused abundant Fusarium mould infection in Finnish cereals, particularly in rye. Fusarium avenaceum was the most common Fusarium species found in cereals. However, the mycotoxin concentrations were very low and only deoxynivalenol, nivalenol and HT-2 toxin were detected. Deoxynivalenol was detected in 54 samples in the concentration range 5-111 microg/kg. Nivalenol and HT-2 toxin were detected in three and two samples, respectively, in the concentration range 10-20 microg/kg.

Co‐occurrence of citrinin and ochratoxin A in rice in Asia and its implications for human health

“…This high occurrence alone or with other mycotoxins should be a concern, especially in developing countries, in which the best quality cereals are exported while the produce with poorer quality is consumed in the homeland . Hence the citizens in developing countries, mainly living in rural areas, are especially sensitive to adverse health effects of mycotoxins due to malnutrition and low standards of living . Moreover, the co‐existence of CIT with OTA in rice in a high percentage of samples should be taken into consideration as claimed by the European Community, as it contributes significantly to public health risk …”

Molecular Chemotyping of Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. cerealis Isolates From Finland and Russia

“…8.1) was first reported in the 1930s as a problem in oats (Rainio 1932). F. graminearum was reported in Finnish cereals as early as the 1960s (Ylimäki 1981), and subsequently in 1972 (Uoti and Ylimäki 1974);1976-1977(Ylimäki et al 19791982-1984(Rizzo 1993) and 1998 (Eskola et al 2001;Yli-Mattila et al 2002). The highest DON levels have been found in oat (Hietaniemi et al 2008;Yli-Mattila et al 2004a, b, 2008a, b, 2009a.…”

Fungal Hydrophobins as Predictors of the Gushing Activity of Malt

“…Most of the samples analyzed in this study were grown in Finland. The DON contents of Finnish barleys have been reported to be low 9,20 . For example in the seasons of 1995-1999, all Finnish commercial malting barley samples studied contained less than 96 µg DON /kg barley 20 .…”

“…For example in the seasons of 1995-1999, all Finnish commercial malting barley samples studied contained less than 96 µg DON /kg barley 20 . The most common Fusarium species in Finnish grain has been reported to be F. avenaceum which is incapable to produce DON 9,37 . On the contrary, a strong DON producer, Fusarium graminearum, has been reported to be the predominating Fusarium species in North American barley 28,31 .…”