LC-MS/MS multi-method for mycotoxins after single extraction, with validation data for peanut, pistachio, wheat, maize, cornflakes, raisins and figs

Mycotoxin analysis is usually carried out by high performance liquid chromatography after immunoaffinity column cleanup or in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. These methods normally involve determination of single compounds only. EU legislation already exists for the aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and patulin in food, and legislation will come into force for deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and the fumonisins in 2007. To enforce the various legal limits, it would be preferable to determine all mycotoxins by routine analysis in different types of matrices in one single extract. This would also be advantageous for HACCP control purposes. For this reason, a multi-method was developed with which 33 mycotoxins in various products could be analysed simultaneously. The mycotoxins were extracted with an acetonitrile/water mixture, diluted with water and then directly injected into a LC-MS/MS system. The mycotoxins were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and detected using an electrospray ionisation interface (ESI) and tandem MS, using MRM in the positive ion mode, to increase specificity for quality control. The following mycotoxins could be analysed in a single 30-min run: Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, alpha-zearalenol, alpha-zearalanol, beta-zearalanol, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, penicillic acid, fumonisins B1, B2 and B3, diacetoxyscirpenol, 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, zearalanone, ergotamin, ergocornin, ergocristin, alpha-ergocryptin, citrinin, roquefortin C, fusarenone X, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether. The limit of quantification for the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was 1.0 microg kg(-1) and for deoxynivalenol 50 microg kg(-1). The quantification limits for the other mycotoxins were in the range 10-200 microg kg(-1). The matrix effect and validation data are presented for between 13 and 24 mycotoxins in peanuts, pistachios, wheat, maize, cornflakes, raisins and figs. The method has been compared with the official EU method for the determination of aflatoxins in food and relevant FAPAS rounds. The multi-mycotoxin method has been proven by the detection of more than one mycotoxin in maize, buckwheat, figs and nuts. The LC-MS/MS technique has also been applied to baby food, which is subject to lower limits for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, ergot alkaloids in naturally contaminated rye and freeze-dried silage samples.     

LC-MS/MS multi-method for mycotoxins after single extraction, with validation data for peanut, pistachio, wheat, maize, cornflakes, raisins and figs.

Mycotoxin analysis is usually carried out by high performance liquid chromatography after immunoaffinity column cleanup or in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. These methods normally involve determination of single compounds only. EU legislation already exists for the aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and patulin in food, and legislation will come into force for deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and the fumonisins in 2007. To enforce the various legal limits, it would be preferable to determine all mycotoxins by routine analysis in different types of matrices in one single extract. This would also be advantageous for HACCP control purposes. For this reason, a multi-method was developed with which 33 mycotoxins in various products could be analysed simultaneously. The mycotoxins were extracted with an acetonitrile/water mixture, diluted with water and then directly injected into a LC-MS/MS system. The mycotoxins were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and detected using an electrospray ionisation interface (ESI) and tandem MS, using MRM in the positive ion mode, to increase specificity for quality control. The following mycotoxins could be analysed in a single 30-min run: Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, alpha-zearalenol, alpha-zearalanol, beta-zearalanol, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, penicillic acid, fumonisins B1, B2 and B3, diacetoxyscirpenol, 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, zearalanone, ergotamin, ergocornin, ergocristin, alpha-ergocryptin, citrinin, roquefortin C, fusarenone X, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether. The limit of quantification for the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was 1.0 microg kg(-1) and for deoxynivalenol 50 microg kg(-1). The quantification limits for the other mycotoxins were in the range 10-200 microg kg(-1). The matrix effect and validation data are presented for between 13 and 24 mycotoxins in peanuts, pistachios, wheat, maize, cornflakes, raisins and figs. The method has been compared with the official EU method for the determination of aflatoxins in food and relevant FAPAS rounds. The multi-mycotoxin method has been proven by the detection of more than one mycotoxin in maize, buckwheat, figs and nuts. The LC-MS/MS technique has also been applied to baby food, which is subject to lower limits for aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A, ergot alkaloids in naturally contaminated rye and freeze-dried silage samples.     

Simple and high-throughput method for the multimycotoxin analysis in cereals and related foods by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, reliable and sensitive method was developed to determine 12 mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1, fumonisins B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, HT-2 and T-2 toxin and zearalenone) simultaneously in maize, walnuts, biscuits and breakfast cereals. The method is based on a single extraction step using acetonitrile/water mixture (80/20 v/v) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). The selectivity of the MS/MS detection allowed the elimination of further clean up steps. Extraction, chromatographic and detection conditions were optimised in order to increase sample throughput and sensitivity. Matrix-matched calibration was used for quantification and recoveries of the extraction process ranged from 70.0% and 108.4%, with relative standard deviations lower than 25% in all the cases, when samples were fortified at 5 and 50 μg/kg. Limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 2.1 μg/kg and limits of quantification ranged from 0.03 to 6.30 μg/kg, which were always below the tolerance levels of mycotoxins set by European Union in the matrices evaluated. Several samples were analysed and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and T-2 toxin were detected in one maize sample, with concentrations lower than 6.0 μg/kg and deoxynivalenol was detected in a breakfast cereal at 42.1 μg/kg.     

Mycotoxins in South African traditionally brewed beers

Traditionally brewed alcoholic beverages are regularly consumed by most ethnic black South Africans. Maize and barley, both of which are used for producing locally brewed alcoholic beer, are frequently contaminated by mycotoxin-producing moulds. The study was undertaken to investigate whether these toxins are present in raw grains and the traditional beers imbibed by the local black African population. It was established that the raw ingredients (sorghum, sorghum malt grains, maize grits), commercially produced traditional beers (Utshwala and Utshwala special) and home-brewed beers (Umqombotha, Isiqatha, Imfulamfula) were contaminated by bacteria and fungi (both yeasts and moulds). The contaminating moulds were isolated and identified. The contaminated samples were analysed for aflatoxins B 1 , B 2 , G 1 and G 2 , zearalenone, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A using a multi-mycotoxin thin-layer chromatography screening method and the toxins were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Grain samples were infected by Aspergillus flavus , A. alliaceus , A. clavatus , Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp. and Mucor spp. Sorghum malt grain samples contained the toxin zearalenone. No mycotoxin-producing fungi were present in the fermented beers but two of six commercial beer samples contained aflatoxins (200 and 400 μgl -1 ) and 45% (13 of 29) of the home-brewed beers had zearalenone (range 2.6-426 μg l -1 ) and/or ochratoxin A (3-2340 μg l -1 ).     

Survey for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone and fumonisins in maize imported into the United Kingdom

This survey examined 140 samples of raw maize as received at ports or at major maize mills in the UK and 12 after initial cleaning. Samples were examined for aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂, ochratoxin A, zearalenone and fumonisins B₁, B₂ and B₃ using fully validated analytical HPL C methods with detection limits of 0.1 mu g/kg for each aflatoxin and ochratoxin A, 4 mu g/ kg for zearalenone and 10 mu g/kg for each fumonisin. 95.0% and 92.1% of samples met the new EC statutory maximum permissible level for total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B₁ respectively. The maximum concentration of ochratoxin A found was 1.5 mu g/kg. Zearalenone and fumonisins were detected in almost every sample with 41.7% of maize containing more than 100 mu g/kg of zearalenone and 48% of samples containing more than 1000 mu g/kg total fumonisins. Initial cleaning of raw maize reduced aflatoxin concentrations by about 40% and total fumonisins by 32%.     

LC–MS/MS multi-method for mycotoxins after single extraction,with validation data for peanut,pistachio, wheat,maize, cornflakes,raisins and figs

Mycotoxin analysis is usually carried out by high performance liquid chromatography after immunoaffinity column cleanup or in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests. These methods normally involve determination of single compounds only. EU legislation already exists for the aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and patulin in food, and legislation will come into force for deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and the fumonisins in 2007. To enforce the various legal limits, it would be preferable to determine all mycotoxins by routine analysis in different types of matrices in one single extract. This would also be advantageous for HACCP control purposes. For this reason, a multi-method was developed with which 33 mycotoxins in various products could be analysed simultaneously. The mycotoxins were extracted with an acetonitrile/water mixture, diluted with water and then directly injected into a LC–MS/MS system. The mycotoxins were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and detected using an electrospray ionisation interface (ESI) and tandem MS, using MRM in the positive ion mode, to increase specificity for quality control. The following mycotoxins could be analysed in a single 30-min run: Aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, α-zearalenol, α-zearalanol, β-zearalanol, sterigmatocystin, cyclopiazonic acid, penicillic acid, fumonisins B₁, B₂ and B₃, diacetoxyscirpenol, 3- and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, zearalanone, ergotamin, ergocornin, ergocristin, α-ergocryptin, citrinin, roquefortin C, fusarenone X, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether. The limit of quantification for the aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was 1.0 µg kg^?1 and for deoxynivalenol 50 µg kg^?1. The quantification limits for the other mycotoxins were in the range 10–200 µg kg^?1. The matrix effect and validation data are presented for between 13 and 24 mycotoxins in peanuts, pistachios, wheat, maize, cornflakes, raisins and figs. The method has been compared with the official EU method for the determination of aflatoxins in food and relevant FAPAS rounds. The multi-mycotoxin method has been proven by the detection of more than one mycotoxin in maize, buckwheat, figs and nuts. The LC–MS/MS technique has also been applied to baby food, which is subject to lower limits for aflatoxin B₁ and ochratoxin A, ergot alkaloids in naturally contaminated rye and freeze-dried silage samples.     

Multiclass mycotoxin analysis in edible oils using a simple solvent extraction method and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A simple and rapid method for the simultaneous determination of 11 mycotoxins – aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂; fumonisins B₁, B₂ and B₃; ochratoxin A; zearalenone; deoxynivalenol; and T-2 toxin – in edible oils was established using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe), QuEChERS with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, and solvent extraction were examined for sample preparation. Among these methods, solvent extraction with a mixture of formic acid/acetonitrile (5/95, v/v) successfully extracted all target mycotoxins. Subsequently, a defatting process using n-hexane was employed to remove the fats present in the edible oil samples. Mass spectrometry was carried out using electrospray ionisation in polarity switching mode with multiple reaction monitoring. The developed LC-MS/MS method was validated by assessing the specificity, linearity, recovery, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy and precision with reference to Commission Regulation (EC) 401/2006. Mycotoxin recoveries of 51.6–82.8% were achieved in addition to LOQs ranging from 0.025 ng/g to 1 ng/g. The edible oils proved to be relatively uncomplicated matrices and the developed method was applied to 9 edible oil samples, including soybean oil, corn oil and rice bran oil, to evaluate potential mycotoxin contamination. The levels of detection were significantly lower than the international regulatory standards. Therefore, we expect that our developed method, based on simple, two-step sample preparation process, will be suitable for the large-scale screening of mycotoxin contamination in edible oils.     

Multimycotoxin Determination in Tunisian Farm Animal Feed

Mycotoxins presence was evaluated in animal feed marketed in Tunisia for the first time ever. A QuEChERS method was performed to analyze the natural copresence of 22 mycotoxins (enniatins, beauvericin, ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, alternariol monomethyl ether, alternariol, tentoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T‐2 toxin, and HT‐2 toxin) in 122 Tunisian marketed feed samples, intended for poultry (n = 43), cattle (n = 35), rabbit (n = 12), sheep (n = 16), and horse (n = 16). Analytes detection and quantification were done using both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method showed good linearity (R > 0.996) and sensitivity, the limits of quantification ranged from 0.1 ng/g (enniatin A1) to 225 ng/g (3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol). Eighty‐five percent of the analyzed samples were positive. Poultry (n = 43) and rabbit (n = 12) feed samples were the most contaminated. Enniatin B was the most prevalent mycotoxin with values ranged between 0.5 ng/g for horse feed and 40 ng/g for poultry feed, followed by deoxynivalenol detected from 16 ng/g in cattle feed to 250 ng/g in poultry feed. None exceeded the limits set by EU recommendations for animal feed. Mycotoxins co‐occurrence was observed at most by five different mycotoxins (26%) and up to eight mycotoxins was recorded in 5% of samples. Furthermore, a relatively high copresence rate of different fusariotoxins was registered. Even if no toxicological concern was clearly revealed, the contamination is a real fact and will probably present influence on meat production and on food safety.     

Influence of water activity,temperature and incubation time on the simultaneous production of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in corn (Zea mays) by Fusarium graminearum

The production of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone by Fusarium graminearum was studied under different culture conditions (water activity, temperature and incubation time). The maximum levels of both toxins were obtained at the 35th day of incubation, the zearalenone level being much higher than the deoxynivalenol. The culture conditions that gave higher yields of deoxynivalenol were at 22 and at 28 °C (6.0 and 5.5 mg/kg ), after 35 days. At an incubation temperature of 28 °C 16 days, followed by 12 °C, for the same time, the production was low (1.1 mg/kg). The highest level of zearalenone was obtained at 28 °C for 16 days, followed by incubation at 12 °C (36.7mg/kg) at the 35th day. When the temperature was constant at 28 °C, the zearalenone production was lower (3.0 mg/kg) than when incubated at 22 °C (12.3 mg/kg), at the 35th day. Fusarium graminearum did not produce deoxynivalenol and zearalenone at 37 °C.     

A Sensitive Immunoaffinity Column-Linked Indirect Competitive ELISA for Ochratoxin A in Cereal and Oil Products Based on a New Monoclonal Antibody

A new sensitive monoclonal antibody (mAb) 1H2 against ochratoxin A (OTA) was reported herein. This mAb belonged to the immunoglobulin G1 (k chain) isotype. In the optimized indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA), 1H2 showed a 50 % inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of 0.058 ng/mL and a detection limit (IC₁₀) of 0.001 ng/mL. The cross-reactivity of 1H2 with ochratoxin B, aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, or fumonisins was below 0.3 %. Based on this mAb, an immunoaffinity column (IAC)-linked icELISA was developed for OTA detection in the cereal and oil products. The working range of the assay for solid sample was 0.36–16 μg/kg. The recoveries from spiked samples of IAC-linked icELISA ranged from 83 to 101 %. These recoveries were much higher than those of icELISA (21–78 %) and in good agreement with those obtained by using the standard high-performance liquid chromatography method (87–110 %). The results indicated that the mAb 1H2 had the values for studies of OTA in the crude agricultural products.     

Mycotoxins and the cereals industry—a review

Mycotoxicoses in humans and animals associated with the consumption of mouldy cereals have long been recognized and many are now linked with the occurrence of specific mould metabolites (mycotoxins). Mycotoxins which have been detected in cereals are aflatoxins, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol and of these only aflatoxin B₁ has so far been shown to exhibit serious toxicity to humans. Surveys have shown that the occurrence of mycotoxins in cereals in the UK and USA is rare except for localized problems with corn in the Southern United States. Also it is clear that aflatoxins are more likely to occur in warm humid climates while the other mycotoxins listed above are more characteristic of temperate climates if there is a wet harvest.     

Estimated dietary exposure to principal food mycotoxins from The First French Total Diet Study

This study reports estimates on dietary exposure from the first French Total Diet Study (FTDS) and compares these estimates with both existing tolerable daily intakes for these toxins and the intakes calculated during previous French studies. To estimate the dietary exposure of the French population to the principal mycotoxins in the French diet (as consumed), 456 composite samples were prepared from 2280 individual samples and analysed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins and patulin. Average and high percentile intakes were calculated taking account of different eating patterns for adults, children and vegetarians. The results showed that contaminant levels observed in the foods examined 'as consumed' complied fully with current European legislation. However, particular attention needs to be paid to the exposure of specific population groups, such as children and vegans/macrobiotics, who could be exposed to certain mycotoxins in quantities that exceed the tolerable or weekly daily intake levels. This observation is particularly relevant with respect to ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. For these mycotoxins, cereals and cereal products were the main contributors to high exposure.     

Mycotoxins in infant/toddler foods and breakfast cereals in the US retail market

The objective of this study was to conduct a mycotoxin survey of commercial infant/toddler foods (cereals and teething biscuits) and breakfast cereals in the United States. A total of 215 retail samples were collected from three geographical locations and analysed for aflatoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, HT-2 toxin, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone using a stable isotope dilution liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. One or more mycotoxins were found in 69% (101/147) of the infant/toddler foods and 50% (34/68) of breakfast cereals. Mycotoxin co-occurrence was observed in 12% of infant/toddler foods and 32% of breakfast cereals. However, the concentrations of detected mycotoxins were lower than the current FDA action and guidance levels. Aflatoxins and HT-2 toxin were not detected in any of the samples, while deoxynivalenol was the most frequently detected mycotoxin. Rice-based cereals appeared to be less susceptible to mycotoxin contamination than other cereal types.     

粮油食品中真菌毒素的LC-MS法检测

粮油食品中常见的真菌毒素有:黄曲霉毒素、赭(棕)曲霉毒素、展青霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮、串珠镰刀菌毒素及脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇等,因含量较低,用常规方法检测不出来。用LC-MS检测,灵敏度高、前处理比较简单,结果准确可靠,在检测食品中真菌毒素上前景广阔。     

Determination of mycotoxins in cereals by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–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), T2 and HT2-toxin in cereals. One-step extraction using solvent mixtures of acetonitrile:water:acetic acid (79:20:1) without any clean-up was employed for extraction of these mycotoxins from cereals. The mean recoveries of mycotoxins in spiked cereals ranged from 76.8% to 108.4%. Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) ranged 0.01–20 and 0.02–40 ng/g, respectively. The developed method has been applied for the determination of mycotoxins in 100 cereal samples collected from Malaysian markets. A total of 77 cereal samples (77%) contaminated with at least one of these mycotoxins. Occurrence of mycotoxins in commercial cereal samples were 70%, 40%, 25%, 36%, 19%, 13%, 16, and 16% for aflatoxins, OTA, ZEA, DON, FB₁, FB₂, T2 and HT2-toxin, respectively. The results demonstrated that the procedure was suitable for the determination of mycotoxins in cereals and could be implemented for the routine analysis.     

玉米赤霉烯酮间接竞争ELISA方法的建立

本研究以玉米面为例,建立了玉米赤霉烯酮间接竞争ELISA (ic-ELISA)方法.采用棋盘滴定法确定抗原和单抗的最佳工作浓度,并确定了抗原37℃包被1h、不封闭、酶催化底物作用时间15 min的反应条件进行检测.该方法的检测范围(IC20～IC80)为11 ～292 pg/mL,检测限(IC10)为6 pg/mL.玉...     

Migration of mycotoxins into rice starchy endosperm during the parboiling process

Considering the occurrence of rice contamination by mycotoxins and the increase in rice consumption, the present work had the objective of assessing the migration of mycotoxins into the starchy endosperm during the parboiling process, as to propose conditions that provide lower contamination levels. The newly harvested rice grain sample was examined for the natural occurrence of mycotoxins (aflatoxin B₁, aflatoxin B₂, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone); only the presence of aflatoxin B₁ was found (17 ng/g). The samples were then artificially contaminated with deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, and the parboiling process was conducted according to a 2³ factorial planning with central point, having as variables the contamination level deoxynivalenol 720, 1440, and 2160 ng/g, and zearalenone 476, 952, and 1428 ng/g the soaking time (4, 5, and 6 h) and autoclave time (15, 22.5, and 30 min). Mycotoxins aflatoxin B₁ (AFA B₁), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) were confirmed and determined through gas chromatography. Findings showed a lower migration trend for AFA B₁ under 6 h of soaking and 30 min of autoclaving, for DON under 6 h of soaking regardless of the autoclaving time, and for ZEA under 4 h of soaking and 15 min of autoclaving. This information can contribute to the choice of process parameters that limit the migration of these mycotoxins if they happen in the raw material.     

Validation of a UHPLC-FLD method for the simultaneous quantification of aflatoxins,ochratoxin A and zearalenone in barley

A fast and simple UHPLC-FLD method has been developed for the simultaneous determination in barley of aflatoxins (B1, G1, B2 and G2), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEA), some of the most important mycotoxins due to their toxicity and occurrence. The procedure is based on the extraction of the six mycotoxins with a mixture of acetonitrile and water, and the purification of the extract with immunoaffinity columns before analysis. Detection of AFB1 and AFG1 is improved using a photochemical reaction. The method has been validated with satisfactory results. Limits of detection were 340 ng kg⁻¹ for ZEA, 13 ng kg⁻¹ for OTA and varied from 0.5 to 15 ng kg⁻¹ for aflatoxins. Recovery percentages were between 78.2% and 109.2%. After being validated, the method has been successfully applied to 20 barley samples cultivated in a region of northern Spain (Navarra).     

A survey of fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and aflatoxins contamination in corn-based food products in Argentina.

The presence of mycotoxins in corn-based foods available in Argentina was determined in order to make a preliminary exposure assessment. Thirty-eight samples [corn meal ('polenta') and corn flakes] of different local brands were analysed for zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and aflatoxins by TLC and fumonisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) by HPLC. None of the 38 samples contained any detectable amount of aflatoxins (< 2 micrograms/kg), zearalenone (< 50 micrograms/kg) and deoxynivalenol (< 50 micrograms/kg). By contrast fumonisin contamination was found in 95% of the samples. The highest fumonisin levels were found in corn meal: FB1 (range positives: 60-2860 micrograms/kg; mean positive value: 556 micrograms/kg), FB2 (61-1090 micrograms/kg; 232 micrograms/kg) and FB3 (18-1015 micrograms/kg; 150 micrograms/kg). Low levels of fumonisin B1 were detected in 16/17 corn flakes samples (2-38 micrograms/kg). Total fumonisin levels in corn meal were more than 1000 micrograms/kg in 24% (5/21) of the samples. Although it is not the staple food in Argentina, maize consumption is very important, especially among children. A daily fumonisin intake of 11.3 micrograms/kg of body weight was estimated for child consumers (1-5 years old) based on an average consumption of 200 g of corn meal/day. Calculated at an average rate for all children (consumers or not) the intake estimate was 0.9 microgram/kg of body weight.     

Mycotoxin occurrence in commodities,feeds and feed ingredients sourced in the Middle East and Africa

Between February and October 2009, 324 grain, feed and feed commodity samples were sourced directly at animal farms or feed production sites in Middle East and Africa and tested for the presence of A- and B-trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, or for selected groups of mycotoxins only. Samples were analyzed after clean-up by immunoaffinity or solid-phase extraction followed by HPLC with derivatization where appropriate and fluorescence, UV or mass spectrometric detection. The percentage of positive samples of B-trichothecenes ranged from 0 to 87% of tested samples. The prevalence of fumonisins in the different countries was >50% in most cases. Zearalenone was present in tested commodities from all countries except three. The presence of aflatoxin in analyzed samples varied from 0 to 94%. Ochratoxin A was present in 67% of samples in Sudan and in 100% of Nigerian samples. No A-trichothecenes were found in this survey.