V. Curtui

Airborne mycotoxins in dust from grain elevators.

Workers in grain elevators are exposed to grain dust and may therefore have an increased risk of inhalatory contact with mycotoxins. To study the mycotoxin burden of such environments, settled grain dust samples (n=35) were collected from several locations of a total of 13 grain elevators in Germany, and analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA, detection limit 0.01 ng/g), deoxynivalenol (DON, detection limit 15 ng/g), and zearalenone (ZEA, detection limit 6 ng/g), respectively. Cytotoxicity of these samples was assessed by a MTT bioassay with a swine kidney target cell line. Additionally, the airborne dust concentration of these locations was determined. Nearly all settled dust samples contained OTA (96%), DON (100%), and ZEA (100%) with median concentrations of 0.4 ng/g, 416 ng/g, and 126 ng/g, respectively. Cytotoxic effects in varying degrees from weakly to highly toxic were caused by crude extracts of 86% of the dust samples. However, cytotoxicity did not correlate with mycotoxin levels in these samples and thus indicated the presence of cytotoxic compounds of unknown origin. Based on the mycotoxin findings in settled dust samples and the airborne dust concentrations, the average airborne mycotoxin concentrations were estimated to be 0.002 ng/m3 (OTA), 2 ng/m3 (DON), and 1 ng/m3 (ZEA), respectively. The relevance of these findings for occupational health was assessed by comparison with WHO recommendations for the maximum tolerable daily (oral) intake (TDI). Even in a worst case scenario, the calculated inhalatory intake was far below the TDI values. However, considering the uncertainties resulting from different exposure pathways, namely oral ingestion versus inhalation, further research should primarily address the problem of how adequate assessment criteria for airborne exposure to mycotoxins could be established.

Deoxynivalenol in Lebensmitteln

Within a joint research project entitled “Analysis and occurrence of importantFusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) and dietary intake of these toxins by the German consumer”, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMVEL), representative analytical data are generated on the contamination level of foods withFusarium mycotoxins. This paper gives a comprehensive summary concerning the contamination of foods from the German market with deoxynivalenol (DON) in the period from August 2001 to April 2004. More than 4700 food samples (mostly cereals and cereal-containing foods) were purchased from food shops in Germany and analysed for DON by enzyme immunoassay, HPLC, and LC-MS/MS, respectively. All analytical methods were validated through intra- and interlaboratory studies and gave mean recoveries of >80% for each matrix. Although DON was detected with high frequency in all cerealcontaining samples, the mean and median levels were in most products well below the recently established maximum permitted limits in Germany.

Effects of feeding aFusarium poae extract and a natural zeolite to broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted in order to determine the effects of aFusarium poae extract on the health and performances of broiler chickens and the possible protective effect of a natural zeolite. TheF. poae extract contained nivalenol, T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol and demonstrated high toxicity when administeredi.p. to rats. One-day-old broiler chickens were fedad libitum over a period of 28 days with the following diets: group I - control; group II - 0.5% zeolite; group III -F. poae extract; group IV-0.5% zeolite andF. poae extract. Broilers were sacrificed at 28 days for the measurement of relative organs weights, leukocyte counts and serum biochemical values. No mortality was recorded over the experiment. Body weight gains, feed intake, feed utilisation and water consumption were depressed by theF. poae extract (p<0.05). A decrease of these parameters were also observed in group IV which received the diet with zeolite and theF. poae extract. No significant differences were seen in group II when compared to control. In groups III and IV the relative weights of liver, kidney, hearth and gizzard were significantly increased (p<0.05), while in group II only the relative liver weight was increased.F. poae extract, administered singly or in combination with zeolite, significantly decreased leukocytes count, serum total protein and serum albumin. Zeolite andF. poae extract, singly or combined, increased serum creatinine and uric acid concentrations (p<0.05).These findings indicate that sublethal doses of F. poae extract can affect adversely the performances and the health in broiler chickens. By adding zeolite these impairments could not diminished and for some parameters the zeolite additive increased the adverse effects of the F. poae extract.

Deoxynivalenol in lebensmitteln: Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie

Cereal food products (n=333) were purchased in retail stores from Germany in 2001 and analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON), either by enzyme immunoassay or by HPLC after immunoaffinity chromatographic cleanup. Detection limits were dependent of the sample matrix and varied from 20-100 μg/kg. The overall DON incidence was 53%, with mean and median levels for positives of 251 μg/kg and 142 μg/kg, respectively. The contamination with DON (mean/median value, μg/kg) as found for bread (90/87), wheat flour (161/124), and noodles (472/297) indicate that the levels of DON in cereal foods were significant in view of the tolerable daily intake (1 μg/kg body weight) as established by the European Union scientific committee on food.Cereal food products (n=333) were purchased in retail stores from Germany in 2001 and analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON), either by enzyme immunoassay or by HPLC after immunoaffinity chromatographic cleanup. Detection limits were dependent of the sample matrix and varied from 20–100 μg/kg. The overall DON incidence was 53%, with mean and median levels for positives of 251 μg/kg and 142 μg/kg, respectively. The contamination with DON (mean/median value, μg/kg) as found for bread (90/87), wheat flour (161/124), and noodles (472/297) indicate that the levels of DON in cereal foods were significant in view of the tolerable daily intake (1 μg/kg body weight) as established by the European Union scientific committee on food.

Mycotoxins in Food in Germany

Mycotoxins are worldwide contaminants in food and feed, and they generate an increasing concern for human and animal health (Pittet, 1998). Cases of acute primary mycotoxicosis in humans have been reported, although with low frequency, while acute intoxication of animals is relatively common. However, chronic disease caused by low but constant dietary intake of mycotoxins seems to be the most important factor in aspects of public health. Long–term effects are well documented in animals, and epidemiological studies indicate that a correlation between chronic intake of some mycotoxins and the incidence of specific diseases may exist.

Bestimmung von Deoxynivalenol in Brot und Bier

Analytical procedures for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in bread and beer, using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and HPLC methods, were developed. For determination of DON by EIA, aqueous raw extracts of bread or degassed beer were extracted by liquid-liquid partitioning with ethyl acetate, the organic solvent evaporated, and the residue redissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for analysis. For determination by HPLC (UV detection at 218 nm), DON in bread extracts or beer was purified on immunoaffinity chromatographic columns. In bread, detection limits for DON of 15 µg/kg (EIA) and 7 µg/kg (HPLC) were achieved, with mean recoveries of 81%. In beer, the detection limit for DON was 2 µg/l both in EIA and HPLC, with recoveries of 91-93%. Both methods showed good agreement of the results for naturally contaminated sample materials, with r(2)=0.993 for bread and r(2)=0.823 for beer, respectively.Analytical procedures for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in bread and beer, using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and HPLC methods, were developed. For determination of DON by EIA, aqueous raw extracts of bread or degassed beer were extracted by liquid-liquid partitioning with ethyl acetate, the organic solvent evaporated, and the residue redissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for analysis. For determination by HPLC (UV detection at 218 nm), DON in bread extracts or beer was purified on immunoaffinity chromatographic columns. In bread, detection limits for DON of 15 µg/kg (EIA) and 7 µg/kg (HPLC) were achieved, with mean recoveries of 81%. In beer, the detection limit for DON was 2 µg/l both in EIA and HPLC, with recoveries of 91–93%. Both methods showed good agreement of the results for naturally contaminated sample materials, with r2=0.993 for bread and r2=0.823 for beer, respectively.

Zearalenon in Lebensmitteln

The research project “Methods of Analysis and occurrence of important Fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) as well as the intake of these toxins by the German consumer” supported by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMVEL) is processed by the institutions mentioned above. This work represents a comprehensive summary of the contamination of food by zearalenone (ZEA).ZusammenfassungIm Rahmen eines Fusarienforschungvorhabens wurden Analyseverfahren für Zearalenon auf der Basis von ELISA, HPLC-FLD und LC-MS/MS MS/MS validiert. Bislang wurden 4556 Lebensmittel auf den Gehalt an Zearalenon untersucht. 84% der Maismehle und 53% Maisgrieße weisen eine mittlere und 95 Maiskeimöl eine hohe Zearalenonbelastung auf. Mit Maiskeimöl hergestellte Säuglings- und Kleinkindernahrung weisen eine erhöhte Belastung auf. Alle anderen aus Zerealien hergestellten Lebensmittel weisen eine niedrige Belastung auf.

Bestimmung von Deoxynivalenol und Deepoxy-Deoxynivalenol in Milch

A HPLC method with UV/diode array detection for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) in milk was developed. Milk was incubated with β-glucuronidase and then defatted. After purification by immunoaffinity chromatography, DON and DOM-1 were separated on a C18 reversed phase column with acetonitril/water (10/90) as the mobile phase and detected at 218 nm. Limits of quantification were 1 μg/l for both toxins, with mean recoveries (1–10 μg/l) of 97% (DON) and 84% (DOM-1), respectively. Milk samples (pasteurized, UHT; n=32) from German retail shops were analysed by this method. Neither DON/DOM-1 nor their glucuronides were found in any sample. These results are consistent with published studies indicating that in lactating cows, DON and DOM-1 are mostly eliminated through urine, and that the carry-over into milk is negligible.

Untersuchungen zu DON-Gehalten in Getreideerzeugnissen aus dem deutschen Einzelhandel im Jahr 2006

Samples of soft wheat flour (n=78), durum wheat semolina (n=6), and pasta (made from durum wheat, n=49) were purchased in January-April 2006 from retail outlets in Hesse, Germany. Samples were analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON) by enzyme immunoassay. The detection limit of the method was 10 μg/kg, with recoveries of 81-85% (RSDr: 12-17%). DON was detected in 84% of all samples, but the contamination level was low. Median/maximum values for DON in wheat flour, wheat semolina, and pasta were 28μg/kg/217 μg/kg, 38μg/kg/203 μg/kg, and 24μg/kg/119 μg/kg, respectively. Compared with results obtained from previous years, significantly lower DON levels were observed in these commodities.Samples of soft wheat flour (n=78), durum wheat semolina (n=6), and pasta (made from durum wheat, n=49) were purchased in January-April 2006 from retail outlets in Hesse, Germany. Samples were analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON) by enzyme immunoassay. The detection limit of the method was 10 μg/kg, with recoveries of 81–85% (RSDr: 12–17%). DON was detected in 84% of all samples, but the contamination level was low. Median/maximum values for DON in wheat flour, wheat semolina, and pasta were 28μg/kg/217 μg/kg, 38μg/kg/203 μg/kg, and 24μg/kg/119 μg/kg, respectively. Compared with results obtained from previous years, significantly lower DON levels were observed in these commodities.