Determination of cadmium and lead in fruit juices by stripping chronopotentiometry and comparison of two sample pretreatment procedures

A method for the determination of cadmium and lead in apple and pear fruit juices by stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) is described. The results obtained after previous digestion of the sample with concentrated sulphuric acid and dry-ashing (sample pretreatment procedure “A”) and after a treatment with concentrated hydrochloric acid followed by heating in hot water bath (sample pretreatment procedure “B”) were compared. The sample pretreatment procedures were tested on real fruit juice samples and all data confirmed that the efficiency of procedure A was greater than procedure B. In particular, for samples treated with procedure A, good linearity was obtained in the range of examined concentration as is shown by the determination coefficients that were 0.998 (n = 4) for cadmium and 0.996 (n = 4) for lead. Recoveries of 86–104% for cadmium and of 87–102% for lead were obtained from a sample spiked at different levels. The accuracy was also evaluated by means of a matching reference sample of spiked skim milk powder (BCR 150—Community Bureau of Reference) to prove the reliability of the method. The detection limits were 2.0 ng g⁻¹ for cadmium and 4.8 ng g⁻¹ for lead. The relative standard deviations (mean of nine determinations), evaluated on a real sample, were 7.8% and 6.5% respectively. The average content was in the range not detectable–3.0 ng g⁻¹ for cadmium and 8.2–21.3 ng g⁻¹ for lead.     

Mycotoxins in food from Jordan: Preliminary survey

This study was undertaken to determine the presence of mycotoxins in foods from Jordan. For this purpose, a total of 108 samples of different groups of foods widely consumed by the Jordanian population were collected during 2008–2009 years. Samples were analyzed for contamination with aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, zearalenone and T-2 toxin by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The predominant mycotoxin was ochratoxin A with a mean level of 4.17 μg kg⁻¹ in 25% of analyzed samples. Furthermore, aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were detected with a contamination frequency of 3%, 4% and 2%, respectively. The present report is the first one ever carried out on the occurrence of mycotoxins in food consumed by the Jordanian population.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in commercial infant formulas locally produced in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Cereals products enriched with leguminous or oleaginous are used in Burkina Faso as food complement or to avoid infant malnutrition. Infant formulas from cereals are consumed as food supplements after the weaning age. They are produced in Burkina Faso with a mixture of several cereals (maize, millet, rice, or sorghum), leguminous (bean), oleaginous (peanut, soya or sesame), sugar or salt and sometimes milk powder. The production is artisanal or semi-industrial. These infant foods from cereals should be free from mycotoxins and pathogenic bacteria. The objective of this work was to determine the occurrence of mycotoxins like aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins in infant formulas and grains in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins) were determined by HPLC-FLD in 248 samples of infant formulas produced by the Recovery and Nutrition Education Centers (CRENs) and sold on the market places in Burkina Faso.Results showed that the majority of samples of infant formulas presented high levels of mycotoxins. The frequency of contaminated samples by aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and fumonisins in analyzed samples were 83.9% (167/199), 7.5% (15/199) and 1.5% (3/199), respectively. The highest values registered in infant formulas were 900, 6 and 3 times higher for aflatoxin B1 (EU limit: 0.1 μg/kg), ochratoxin A (EU limit: 0.5 μg/kg) and fumonisins (EU limit: 200 μg/kg), respectively, than the EU regulation limits (1881/2006). This study presents the first results concerning the safety assessment of infant formulas regarding mycotoxins in Burkina Faso.     

Mycotoxins occurrence in Argentina’s maize (Zea mays L.), from 1999 to 2010

The natural occurrence of mycotoxins in maize in Argentina, from 1999 to 2010 was analysed. Total aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, were detected and quantified by TLC. Each aflatoxins and fumonisins was quantified by HPLC. A total of 3246 samples for freshly harvested (1655) and storage (1591) was obtained from different regions, from 1999 to 2010. Except for 2003 year in harvest, and for 2007 in storage, aflatoxins levels were low. Average values of aflatoxin B₁ for freshly harvested samples were between 0.38 and 2.54 μg kg⁻¹ and for storage samples were between 0.22 and 4.5 μg kg⁻¹. The average values and frequency of contamination for zearalenone and deoxynivalenol, were low for all years. The average zearalenone contamination in samples of freshly harvested, showed values from no detected up to 83 μg kg⁻¹, and in storage samples, from no detected to 17 μg kg⁻¹. The average deoxynivalenol contamination of freshly harvested, showed values from no detected up to 140 μg kg⁻¹, and for storage samples showed values from no detected to 14 μg kg⁻¹. The percentage of maize samples contaminated by fumonisins was between 90 and 100% for all years studied; the average levels were from 1773 to 9093 μg kg⁻¹ for freshly harvested maize and for storage from 2525 to 11,528 μg kg⁻¹.Co-occurrence of aflatoxins and fumonisin was the most frequent (8.4%), followed by zearalenone and fumonisins (2%).     

Multiple mycotoxin co-occurrence in maize grown in three agro-ecological zones of Tanzania

In this study, the co-occurrence of multiple mycotoxins in maize kernels collected from 300 households' stores in three agro-ecological zones in Tanzania was evaluated by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) with a QuEChERS-based procedure as sample treatment. This method was validated for the analysis of the main eleven mycotoxins of health concern that can occur in maize: aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), aflatoxin B₂ (AFB₂), aflatoxin G₁ (AFG₁), aflatoxin G₂ (AFG₂), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), fumonisin B₂ (FB₂), HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone (ZEN). From each zone one major maize producing district for home consumption was chosen and 20 villages for each district were randomly selected for sampling. All mycotoxins of health concern, except for T-2 toxin, were detected in the maize samples. Particularly high levels of AFB₁ (50%; 3–1,081 μg kg⁻¹), FB₁ (73%; 16–18,184 μg kg⁻¹), FB₂ (48%; 178–38,217 μg kg⁻¹) and DON (63%; 68–2,196 μg kg⁻¹) were observed. Some samples exceeded the maximum limits set in Tanzania for aflatoxins or in European regulations for other mycotoxins in unprocessed maize. Eighty seven percent of samples were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin, with 45% of samples co-contaminated by carcinogenic mycotoxins, aflatoxins and fumonisins. Significant differences in contamination pattern were observed among the three agro-ecological zones. The high incidence and at high levels (for some) of these mycotoxins in maize may have serious implications on the health of the consumers since maize constitute the staple food of most Tanzanian population. Effective strategies targeting more than one mycotoxin are encouraged to reduce contamination of maize with mycotoxins.     

Multimycotoxin analysis of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Garten) from Ethiopia

The natural contamination of sorghum and finger millet by toxigenic fungi and associated mycotoxins has been studied. All the tested sorghum and finger millet samples were found to be contaminated by Fusarium and Aspergillus species. Sorghum was considerably more likely to be contaminated by both genera than finger millet. Penicillium, Alternaria, Rhizopus and Epicoccum species were also present in both grains albeit at lower frequencies. Multimycotoxin analysis using LC–MS/MS revealed the contamination of sorghum and finger millet by 84 and 62 metabolites, respectively. The prevalence of major mycotoxins was lower than 15% in sorghum except zearalenone that occurred in one third of the samples at average level of 44 μg/kg. In finger millet major mycotoxins occurred at a prevalence of 6–52% with zearalenone being the dominant and occurring at average level of 76 μg/kg. Aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂ and M₁ were detected in at least one sorghum sample while only aflatoxins B₁ and G₁ were present in finger millet samples. The average aflatoxins B₁ and G₁ concentrations in sorghum have been higher than European standards. But the level of B₂, G₂ and M₁ in sorghum and that of B₁ and G₁ in finger millet have been lower. Apart from aflatoxin precursors and other Fusarium metabolites, a broad range of additional metabolites were detected in sorghum and finger millet.     

Simultaneous analysis of twenty-six mycotoxins in durum wheat grain from Italy

A multi-mycotoxin analysis method based on liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was validated and applied for the determination of twenty-six mycotoxins, including eight trichothecenes, three fumonisins, sterigmatocystin, ochratoxin A, four aflatoxins, zearalenone, five “emerging” mycotoxins and three Alternaria mycotoxins in 74 durum wheat samples from central Italy. Eighty-eight percent of the analysed samples contained one or more mycotoxins, with enniatin B showing the highest contamination levels (78% of samples with levels ranging from 23 to 1826 ng/g), followed by enniatin B1 (10–1384 ng/g) and deoxynivalenol (48–2267 ng/g). This work gives an important contribution in terms of mycotoxin analysis and occurrence in durum wheat and in assessing the mycotoxicological risk posed by both traditional and emerging mycotoxins for the final consumers of durum wheat derived products.     

Simultaneous determination of mycotoxin in commercial coffee

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that usually contaminate food products. Coffee is a natural product susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. The present study evaluates the presence of nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, T-2 and HT-2 Toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, aflatoxin B₁, aflatoxin B₂, aflatoxin G₁, aflatoxin G₂, fumonisin B₁, fumonisin B₂, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, enniatin A, enniatin A₁, enniatin B, enniatin B₁, and beauvericin in coffee samples, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results show that zearalenone was not present in any sample. In the positive samples the contents of fumonisins ranged from 58.62 to 537.45 μg/kg, emerging mycotoxins ranged from 0.10 to 3569.92 μg/kg, aflatoxins ranged from 0.25 to 13.12 μg/kg, and trichothecenes, excepting nivalenol, ranged from 5.70 to 325.68 μg/kg. Nivalenol presented the highest concentrations, from 0.40 to 25.86 mg/kg. Ochratoxin A ranged from 1.56 to 32.40 μg/kg, and five samples exceeded the maximum limit established by the European Commission.     

Survey of mycotoxins in dates and dried fruits from Tunisian and Spanish markets

In an effort to enforce the knowledge on mycotoxin occurrence and co-occurrence in dates and dried fruits, 228 samples purchased from Tunisian and Spanish markets were subjected to multi-mycotoxin liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of 16 mycotoxins. At least one mycotoxin was detected in 160 samples (70%). The frequency of contaminated samples was 83%, 80%, 64%, 59% and 26% for dates, dried vine fruits, figs, apricots and plums, respectively but none of the analyzed samples contained detectable levels of fumonisins (FB₁, FB₂, FB₃) or T-2 toxin (T2).The incidence and levels of mycotoxins varied in samples. The most prevalent mycotoxin was enniatin B (EnnB) (54%), followed by enniatinA₁ (EnnA₁) (36%); aflatoxins (AFs) (23%) and ochratoxin A (OTA) (22%). Thirteen samples contained AFs in levels that exceed the maximum limits established in EU legislation. The simultaneous contamination with 2–6 mycotoxins was observed in 51% of the analyzed samples. Lastly, intakes of the detected mycotoxins were calculated for average adult consumers and compared with the tolerable daily intakes (TDI). Data obtained were used to estimate the potential exposure levels.     

Co-occurrence of aflatoxins,ochratoxin A and zearalenone in breakfast cereals from spanish market

Forty-six breakfast cereal samples from the Spanish market have been analyzed for the occurrence of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFG1, AFB2 and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA). According to the results, 9% of the samples were contaminated with AFB1 although no sample exceeded the LOQ (0.2 μg kg^?1), and no sample presented detectable levels of the other aflatoxins (AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2). Zearalenone and OTA contaminated 48 and 39% of the samples, respectively, with mean values of the samples having quantification levels of 25.40 and 0.37 μg kg^?1, respectively. The co-occurrence of OTA and ZEA was observed in 28% of the samples. Aflatoxin B1 appeared only in the corn-based breakfast cereals, whereas ZEA and OTA showed the highest contamination rates in the samples containing wheat and wheat and rice, respectively. No sample of high-fiber content was contaminated with AFB1, whereas OTA and ZEA occurred with higher incidence in high-fiber content samples. Moreover, the daily exposure to AFB1, OTA and ZEA is discussed.     

Presence of mycotoxins in animal milk: A review

Mycotoxins can cause toxicity when ingested by humans and animals. Although the rumen is supposed to be a barrier against mycotoxins, some studies demonstrate that carry-over of mycotoxins to milk is possible. Different studies have found mycotoxin levels in animal milk, mainly related to contaminated feed for ruminants. Aflatoxin M1 is the most studied mycotoxin in milk and levels exceeding the EU maximum level for this mycotoxin in this matrix (0.050 μg/kg) have been found. Maximum levels in milk for other mycotoxins have not been established; however ochratoxin A, aflatoxins G1, G2, B1, B2 and M2, fumonisin B1, cyclopiazonic acid, zearalenone and its metabolites and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol have also been found in milk samples. Taking into account that multi-exposure to mycotoxins is the most likely scenario and co-occurrence of mycotoxins could affect their toxicological effects in humans and animals, there is a need to determine the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in milk.     

A UPLC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, DON, fumonisins, T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, in cereals

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method is described for simultaneous determination of aflatoxins (AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FB₁ and FB₂), T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereals. Mycotoxins were separated by reverse phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry using an electro spray-ionization interface (ESI) in both positive- and negative- ion modes. The mean recoveries of mycotoxins from spiked cereals ranged from 83.5% to 107.3%, whereas the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.01 to 25 ng/g and 0.02-40 ng/g, respectively. The multi-mycotoxin method developed in this work was applied for the simultaneous determination of mycotoxins in 80 cereal samples collected from Malaysian markets. A total of 60 cereal samples (75%) were contaminated with at least one of these mycotoxins at levels greater than the LOD. Only one maize sample and two rice samples were contaminated at levels exceeding the European regulatory limits for aflatoxins and OTA (4 and 5 ng/g, respectively). The rates of the occurrence of mycotoxins in the commercial cereal samples were 50, 30, 19, 30, 16, 14, 14 and 12% for the aflatoxins (the total amount of AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂), OTA, ZEA, DON, FB₁, FB₂, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, respectively. The results demonstrated that the procedure was suitable for the simultaneous determination of these mycotoxins in cereals and could be performed for their routine analysis in mycotoxin laboratories.     

Influence of gamma-radiation on mycotoxin producing moulds and mycotoxins in fruits

One hundred random fruit samples were collected and analyzed for mycotoxins and the effect of gamma-irradiation on the production of mycotoxins in fruits was studied. Analysis of fruits revealed the occurrence of penicillic acid, patulin, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), citrinin, ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B₁. Of the 100 samples examined, 60 were positive for one or more mycotoxin. Irradiation of fruits at dose of 1.5 and 3.5 kGy decreased significantly the total fungal counts compared with unirradiated controls. After 28 days of storage at refrigeration temperature, the unirradiated fruits were contaminated with high concentrations of mycotoxins as compared with irradiated 3.5 kGy samples. Mycotoxins production in fruits decreased with increasing irradiation dose and were not detected at 5.0 kGy.     

Natural occurrence of mycotoxins in cereals and spices commercialized in Morocco

Sixty samples of cereals (20 of corn, 20 of barley, and 20 of wheat) and 55 samples of spices (14 of paprika, 12 of ginger, 14 of cumin, and 15 of pepper) purchased from popular markets of Rabat and Salé in Morocco were analyzed for mycotoxins.Cereals samples were all analyzed for ochratoxin A (OTA). The average levels of contamination were 1.08, 0.42, and 0.17 μg/kg for corn, wheat, and barley, respectively. Samples of corn were also analyzed for zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) the average contaminations were 14 and 1930 μg/kg, respectively. Co-occurrence of OTA, FB₁, and ZEA was also checked. Spices samples were analyzed only for aflatoxins (AFs) and the average contaminations found for aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) were 0.09, 0.63, 2.88 and 0.03 μg/kg for black pepper, ginger, red paprika and cumin, respectively. The higher level of contamination was found in red paprika (9.68 μg/kg).The present report is the first one ever drafted on the natural co-occurrence of OTA, FB₁ and ZEA in cereals and on the occurrence of AFs in spices from Morocco.     

Aflatoxin contamination in edible nuts imported in Qatar

Edible nuts imported in Qatar from June 1997 to December 1998 were anlaysed for aflatoxins. Eighty-one nut samples were analysed in the second half of 1997 and contamination was detected in 19 samples with total aflatoxin level varied from a low of about 0.53 to a high of 289 μg/kg. Aflatoxin contamination was detected in pistachios and peanuts, while other nuts such as almond, cashew nut, walnut and hazel nut were found free from aflatoxins. During 1998 testing was carried out only for pistachios and about 101 samples were analysed; contamination was detected in 48 samples with total aflatoxin level in the range of 1.2–275 μg/kg. In pistachios without shell level of contamination was very high (total aflatoxin 8.3–275 μg/kg) compared to pistachio with shell (total aflatoxin 1.2–75 μg/kg). Aflatoxin B₁ and B₂ were detected in all the contaminated samples of pistachios, whereas aflatoxin G₁ and G₂ were detected only in three samples of pistachios at the level of 0.8–1.9 μg/kg for aflatoxin G₁ and 0.4–1.3 μg/kg for aflatoxin G₂.     

Occurrence of four mycotoxins in cereal and oil products in Yangtze Delta region of China and their food safety risks

A total of 76 cereal and oil products collected from Yangtze Delta region of China were analyzed for occurrences of aflatoxins (AFs), aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN). The mycotoxins were determined by the standard detection procedures using immunoaffinity column clean-up coupled with fluorometer (or HPLC-UV). ZEN was the most prevalent toxin, with the incidence of 27.6% (range = 10.0–440.0 μg kg⁻¹), and 9.2% of the evaluated samples were contaminated with a concentration higher than that of the legislation limit of China (60 μg kg⁻¹). AFs and AFB₁ were detected in 14.5% of the samples analyzed, the concentrations ranging 1.1–35.0 μg kg⁻¹ for AFs, and 1.0–32.2 μg kg⁻¹ for AFB₁; 4.0% of the samples had the concentrations of AFs and AFB₁ higher than that of the corresponding legislation limits of China (5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 μg kg⁻¹ for different products). OTA was detected in 14.5% of the cereal and oil products collected; the concentrations ranged 0.51–16.2 μg kg⁻¹. Only 2 samples showed OTA levels higher than that of the legislation limit of China (5.0 μg kg⁻¹). DON was detected in 7.9% of the samples; the concentrations ranged 100–700 μg kg⁻¹, and none of the samples showed DON concentration higher than that of the legislation limit of China (1.0 mg kg⁻¹). A total of 15.8% cereal and oil products were contaminated with at least two mycotoxins (multiple contaminations with different combinations including AFs-ZEN, AFs-OTA-ZEN, OTA-ZEN, ZEN-DON, OTA-ZEN-DON). The dietary exposure assessment results indicated that AFs (AFB₁), OTA, DON and ZEN from cereal-based products represented a series health risk to both adults and children in Yangtze Delta region of China. This is the first report of safety evaluation associated with major mycotoxins for the area.     

Fast and sensitive aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins ELISAs for analysis of peanuts,maize and feed ingredients

Aflatoxins are a group of carcinogenic compounds produced by Aspergillus fungi that can grow on different agricultural crops. Both acute and chronic exposure to these mycotoxins can cause serious illness. Due to the high occurrence of aflatoxins in crops worldwide fast and cost-effective analytical methods are required for the identification of contaminated agricultural commodities before they are processed into final products and placed on the market. In order to provide new tools for aflatoxin screening two prototype fast ELISA methods: one for the detection of aflatoxin B₁ and the other for total aflatoxins were developed. Seven monoclonal antibodies with unique high sensitivity and at the same time good cross-reactivity profiles were produced. The monoclonal antibodies were characterized and two antibodies showing IC₅₀ of 0.037 ng/mL and 0.031 ng/mL for aflatoxin B₁ were applied in simple and fast direct competitive ELISA tests. The methods were validated for peanut matrix as this crop is one of the most affected by aflatoxin contamination. The detection capabilities of aflatoxin B₁ and total aflatoxins ELISAs were 0.4 μg/kg and 0.3 μg/kg for aflatoxin B₁, respectively, which are one of the lowest reported values. Total aflatoxins ELISA was also validated for the detection of aflatoxins B₂, G₁ and G₂. The application of the developed tests was demonstrated by screening 32 peanut samples collected from the UK retailers. Total aflatoxins ELISA was further applied to analyse naturally contaminated maize porridge and distiller's dried grain with solubles samples and the results were correlated with these obtained by UHPLC-MS/MS method.     

Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in dried chestnuts and chestnut flour produced in Italy

The occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in chestnut products made in Italy was surveyed. Thirty-seven samples of chestnut flour and fourteen of dried chestnuts were collected from retail outlets located in northern Italy. After extraction and purification through an immunoaffinity column, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A were analysed using both HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS. The mycotoxin contamination found in this survey was widespread and remarkable. As regards aflatoxins, the incidence of aflatoxin B₁ was 62.2 and 21.4% in chestnut flour and dried chestnuts, respectively; in the same products, the percentage of samples exceeding the value of 2.0 μg kg⁻¹ for aflatoxin B₁ (maximum limit fixed by EC Regulation 165/2010 in dried fruits) was 24.3% and 7.1%. A widespread and high incidence of AFG₁ was also found (40.5%). The maximum values for aflatoxin B₁ and total aflatoxins were 67.88 and 188.78 μg kg⁻¹, respectively (chestnut flour sample). Ochratoxin A occurred in all samples, showing very high values (mean 12.38 and 13.63 μg kg⁻¹ for chestnut flour and dried chestnuts, respectively); the percentages of samples exceeding the limit of 10 μg kg⁻¹ (EU limits for dried vine fruit) were 64.9 and 42.8% for chestnut flour and dried chestnuts, respectively. The maximum value was 65.84 μg kg⁻¹ (dried chestnut sample).     

Occurrence and co-occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in wheat grains and wheat flour from Romania

In this study, the presence of fourteen Fusarium mycotoxins, legislated by the European Union – deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, HT-2 and T-2 toxins (EC/1881/2006; 2013/165/EU), or non-legislated (five trichothecens and five “emerging” mycotoxins), was evaluated in 31 whole unprocessed wheat samples and 35 white wheat flour samples from different areas of Romania. For this purpose, a validated multi-mycotoxins liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was applied. Seventy three percent of the analyzed samples contained at least one mycotoxin. The highest occurrence was for enniatin B, 71% of the analyzed samples being positive (21–407 μg kg⁻¹). Regarding the legislated mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol was detected in 14% (111–1787 μg kg⁻¹) of the samples, while zearalenone was detected in 9% (51–1135 μg kg⁻¹). Only one sample was positive for neosolaniol. Concerning the co-occurrence, 42% of the samples were contaminated with two to five mycotoxins, the most frequent being the binary or tertiary combinations of enniatins. This is the first study applied to Romanian wheat grains and flour samples using a high sensitive multi-mycotoxins method, and which included also “emerging” mycotoxins.     

Aflatoxigenic fungi and aflatoxins occurrence in sultanas and dried figs commercialized in Brazil

The presence of aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus in dried fruits was investigated. A total of 62 dried fruit samples were analyzed (24 black sultanas, 19 white sultanas and 19 dried figs). A total of 10 A. flavus isolates were found, nine in one white sultana sample (corresponding to 18% infection) and one isolate in dried figs (2%), and all of them were aflatoxin B₁ and B₂ producers. A. parasiticus was not found. Aflatoxins were detected in 3 of 19 (16%) white sultana samples analyzed and, the limits were not higher than 2.0 μg/kg. In dried figs 11 of 19 (58%) samples were contaminated with aflatoxins and, with exception of one sample that was contaminated with 1500 μg/kg of B₁ aflatoxin, the others had less than 2.0 μg/kg. Neither aflatoxigenic or aflatoxins contaminated black sultanas.