Studies into the occurrence of some trichothecene mycotoxins in UK home-grown wheat and in imported wheat

A total of 199 UK home-grown wheat samples collected over three harvests (1980–82 inclusive) and 33 imported wheat samples were analysed for the presence of seven trichothecene mycotoxins (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-x, neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2 toxin and T-2 toxin). Analysis was performed by a gas–liquid chromatographic method and positive results greater than 0.1 mg kg^?1 were confirmed by mass spectrometry. The only mycotoxin detected in any of the samples was deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) which occurred in 32 out of 199 UK home-grown wheats at levels ranging from 0.02 to 0.40 mg kg^?1 and 23 out of 33 imported wheats at levels ranging from 0.02 to 1.32 mg kg^?1. Microbiological evidence suggests that the lower incidence and levels of deoxynivalenol in UK, other EEC and Western Canadian wheat compared with Eastern Canadian and Midwest US wheat may be caused by a geographical variation in the distribution of Fusarium species.     

Natural occurrence of Fusarium toxins in peanut,sorghum and maize from Mysore (India)

Peanut, sorghum and maize samples were collected from the wholesale market in Mysore, India, over a period of one year (October 1984 to September 1985). The samples were analysed for the natural occurrence of T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) and zearalenone by thin-layer chromatography, dermal toxicity test and gas chromatography. Of the total number of peanut samples analysed, 6.9% were positive for the toxic trichothecene(s) (T-2, up to 38.89 mg kg^?1; DAS, up to 2.03 mg kg^?1); 4.8% of total sorghum samples analysed contained T-2 up to 15 mg kg^?1. Zearalenone was not found in any of the samples tested, and no toxins were detected in any of the maize samples. Samples marketed during winter and summer periods were contaminated with the toxins. All the toxin-positive samples except one peanut sample were found in produce stored for more than a week.     

Naturally occurring Fusarium toxins in New Zealand maize

Twenty samples of maize collected from healthy growing crops and at harvest time and during storage were screened for four Fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T-2 toxin and zearalenone) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography. Seventeen samples (85%) contained one or more of these toxins. Zearalenone was present in 15 samples at levels ranging between 0.1 and 16 ppm. Deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin were found in 11, 6 and 13 samples respectively, all at levels below 1 ppm. This work documents the first reported natural occurrence of Fusarium toxins in New Zealand maize, and it is concluded that all four of the mycotoxins studied are prevalent in apparently healthy standing crops as well as in stored maize.     

A survey of the occurrence of the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) in UK grown barley and in imported maize by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A UK survey for the occurrence of the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) in 87 samples of both feeding and malting barleys has shown levels of less than 0.02 mg kg^?1 in 90% of the samples. The barleys containing deoxynivalenol (0.02–0.36 mg kg^?1) were mostly feeding samples and showed no geographical trend within the UK. In contrast, for imported maize and brewers maize, only 25% of the samples showed levels less than 0.02 mg kg^?1 deoxynivalenol, the remainder ranging from 0.02-1.4 mg kg^?1 with ten samples (36% of the total number analysed) having levels greater than 0.1 mg kg^?1. All samples were analysed by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (selected ion monitoring) of the TMS deoxynivalenol derivative. For two of the maize samples full mass spectra were obtained of the deoxynivalenol showing very good agreement with reference spectra and confirming the identity of the trichothecene.     

Occurrence of the C-series fumonisins in maize from the former Transkei region of South Africa

Fumonisins are a group of structurally related mycotoxins produced mainly in maize by Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum. The most abundant naturally occurring analogue is fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), with lesser amounts of fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) and fumonisin B₃ (FB₃) occurring. The C-series fumonisins (FCs) are structurally analogous to the B-series but lack the C-1 methyl group. Good and mouldy subsistence-grown maize samples were collected from the Centane and Bizana districts in the former Transkei region of South Africa. After extraction with methanol/water and clean-up on strong anion exchange solid phase extraction cartridges, FB₁, FB₂, FB₃, FC₁, FC₃ and FC₄ were determined by reversed-phase LC–MS/MS using positive ion electrospray ionisation. FB₁ levels in both good and mouldy maize from Centane (means (±SD) 2.75?±?2.24 and 23.4?±?12.5?mg?kg^?1, respectively) were higher than the corresponding levels in maize samples from Bizana (means 0.056?±?0.157 and 3.71?±?5.01?mg?kg^?1, respectively). Similarly, FC₁ levels in both good and mouldy maize from Centane (means 0.107?±?0.099 and 0.814?±?0.391?mg?kg^?1, respectively) were higher than in Bizana, where FC₁ was detected in only one (0.018?mg?kg^?1) of 19 good maize samples and occurred in mouldy maize with a mean of 0.102?±?0.135?mg?kg^?1. A significant correlation (r?=?0.982, p?<?0.01) was observed between FB₁ and FC₁ levels in all samples, with FC₁ levels at 3.3% of the corresponding FB₁ levels. FC₄ levels were similar to FC₁, whereas only low amounts of FC₃ were detected.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in maize,grass and wheat silage for dairy cattle in the Netherlands

The occurrence of mycotoxins in 140 maize silages, 120 grass silages and 30 wheat silages produced in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2004 was determined using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS) multi-method. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected above the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 250 μg kg^?1 in 72% of maize and 10% of wheat silages. Average DON concentrations were 854 and 621 μg kg^?1, respectively, and maximum concentrations 3142 and 1165 μg kg^?1, respectively. Zearalenone was detected above the LOQ of 25 μg kg^?1 in 49% of maize and 6% of grass silages. Average zearalenone concentrations were 174 and 93 μg kg^?1, respectively, and maximum concentrations 943 and 308 μg kg^?1, respectively. The incidences and average concentrations of DON and zearalenone in maize silage were highest in 2004. The incidence of other mycotoxins was low: fumonisin B1 and 15-acetyl-DON were detected in 1.4 and 5% of maize silages, respectively, and roquefortin C in 0.8% of grass silages. None of the silages contained aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, T2-toxin, HT2-toxin, sterigmatocystin, diacetoxyscirpenol, fusarenon-X, ergotamine, penicillinic acid, or mycophenolic acid. This study demonstrates that maize silage is an important source of DON and zearalenone in the diet of dairy cattle. Since the carryover of these mycotoxins into milk is negligible, their occurrence in feed is not considered to be of significant concern with respect to the safety of dairy products for consumers. Potential implications for animal health are discussed.     

Co-occurrence of fumonisins with aflatoxins in home-stored maize for human consumption in rural villages of Tanzania

This study determined maize-user practices that influence the presence of fumonisin and aflatoxin contamination of maize in food consumed in the rural areas of Tanzania. Samples of the 2005 maize harvest in Tanzania were collected from 120 households and examined for fumonisins and aflatoxins. Information on whether the maize was sorted to remove defective (visibly damaged or mouldy) maize before storage and whether the damaged and mouldy maize or the non-dehulled maize was used as food was also collected. In addition, the percentage of defective kernels in the samples was determined. Ninety per cent of the households sorted out defective maize, 45% consumed the defective maize and 30% consumed non-dehulled maize. In 52% of the samples fumonisins were determined at levels up to 11,048 µg kg^?1 (median = 363 µg kg^?1) and in 15% exceeded 1000 µg kg^?1; the maximum tolerable limit (MTL) for fumonisins in maize for human consumption in other countries. Aflatoxins were detected in 18% of the samples at levels up to 158 µg kg^?1 (median = 24 µg kg^?1). Twelve per cent of the samples exceeded the Tanzanian limit for total aflatoxins (10 µg kg^?1). Aflatoxins co-occurred with fumonisins in 10% of the samples. The percentage defective kernels (mean = 22%) correlated positively (r = 0.39) with the fumonisin levels. Tanzanians are at a risk of exposure to fumonisins and aflatoxins in maize. There is a need for further research on fumonisin and aflatoxin exposure in Tanzania to develop appropriate control strategies.     

Multimycotoxin and fungal analysis of maize grains from south and southwestern Ethiopia

The natural occurrence of fungi, mycotoxins and fungal metabolites was investigated in 100 samples of maize grains collected from south and southwestern Ethiopia in 2015. The maize samples were contaminated by Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium species. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry 127 secondary metabolites were analysed. Zearalenone was the most prevalent mycotoxin, occurring in about 96% of the samples. Zearalenone sulfate was the second most prevalent, present in 81% of the samples. Fumonisin B1 was detected in 70% of the samples with a mean level of 606 μg kg^?1 in positive samples, while FB2, FB3 and FB4 were detected in 62%, 51% and 60% of the maize samples with mean levels of 202, 136 and 85 μg kg^?1, respectively. Up to 8% of the samples were contaminated with aflatoxins, with a maximum level of aflatoxin B1 of 513 μg kg^?1. Results were higher than earlier reports for maize from Ethiopia.     

Fusarium mycotoxin content of UK organic and conventional barley

Each year (2002–2005), approximately 100 samples of barley from fields of known agronomy were analysed for ten trichothecenes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) including deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol, 3-acetyl DON, 15-acetyl DON, fusarenone X, T-2 toxin (T2), HT-2 toxin (HT2), diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, and T-2 triol. Samples were also analysed for moniliformin and zearalenone by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Of the ten trichothecenes analysed from 446 harvest samples of barley, only two, diacetoxyscirpenol and neosolaniol, were not detected. The concentrations of type A trichothecenes were similar to those that occurred in wheat over the same period, whilst those of type B trichothecenes were markedly lower. Deoxynivalenol was the most frequently detected Fusarium mycotoxin, present above the limit of quantification (10 µg kg^?1) in 57% of samples, and was usually present at the highest concentration. A single sample (0.2%) exceeded the legal limit for DON in unprocessed barley over the 4-year period. Moniliformin and zearalenone were both rarely detected (2% of samples greater than 10 µg kg^?1 for both toxins) with maximum concentrations of 45 and 44 µg kg^?1, respectively. Year and region had a significant effect on DON and HT2 + T2, but there was no significant difference in the concentration of these mycotoxins between organic and conventional samples. Overall, the risk of UK barley exceeding the newly introduced legal limits for Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals intended for human consumption is very low, but the percentage of samples above these limits will fluctuate between years.     

An LC-IT-MS/MS-Based Method to Determine Trichothecenes in Grain Products

The aim of this work was to evaluate the usefulness of the ion trap mass spectrometry coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography for simultaneous determination of selected trichothecenes (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, fusarenon-X, neosolaniol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT-2 and T-2 toxins) in grain products. These compounds were extracted from the grain products and then cleaned up with the developed, simple and robust procedure using some mixture of neutral alumina, charcoal and diatomaceous earth. Method recovery was 88–125 % depending on combination of the analysed mycotoxins, sample matrix and the fortification level. Method precision expressed by relative standard deviation ranged from 2.6 to 27.4 %. The concentrations of the selected trichothecenes have been determined in 94 samples of cereal-based products. Maize-based next to wheat-based products were the most contaminated with deoxynivalenol, neosolaniol, 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol and HT-2 toxin. In 83 % of wheat-based products, deoxynivalenol was determined at the average level of 249 μg kg^?1. The highest concentration of deoxynivalenol—2,026 μg kg^?1 (476?±?471 μg kg^?1 on the average)—was found in the maize-based product. Other mycotoxins were found much less frequently: 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol in only one sample at the concentration of 59 μg kg^?1, neosolaniol, HT-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol in a few samples on average concentrations close to respective limits of quantification.     

Fusarium mycotoxin content of UK organic and conventional wheat

Each year (2001–2005), 300 samples of wheat from fields of known agronomy were analysed for ten trichothecenes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) including deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol, 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, fusarenone X, T2 toxin, HT2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol and T-2 triol and zearalenone by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Of the eleven mycotoxins analysed from 1624 harvest samples of wheat, only eight were detected, and of these only five–deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl-DON, nivalenol, HT-2 and zearalenone–were detected above 100 µg kg^?1. DON was the most frequently detected Fusarium mycotoxin, present above the limit of quantification (10 µg kg^?1) in 86% of samples, and was usually present at the highest concentration. The percentage of samples that would have exceeded the recently introduced legal limits varied between 0.4% and 11.3% over the five-year period. There was a good correlation between DON and zearalenone concentrations, although the relative concentration of DON and zearalenone fluctuated between years. Year and region had a significant effect on all mycotoxins analysed. There was no significant difference in the DON concentration of organic and conventional samples. There was also no significant difference in the concentration of zearalenone between organic and conventional samples, however organic samples did have a significantly lower concentration of HT2 and T2. Overall, the risk of UK wheat exceeding the newly introduced legal limits for Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals intended for human consumption is low, but the percentage of samples above these limits will fluctuate between years.     

Detection of trichothecenes in animal feeds and foodstuffs during the years 1997 to 2000 in Saudi Arabia

A total of 843 commercial animal feed and foodstuff samples (465 samples of agricultural commodities and 378 samples of animal feeds) from all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were collected during the years 1997 to 2000 and analyzed for type A and type B trichothecenes (diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, nivalenol, fusarenon-x, deoxynivalenol). Levels of mycotoxins detected ranged from <2 to 4,000 microg/kg deoxynivalenol, 3.25 to 500 microg/kg fusarenon-x, 3.13 to 600 microg/kg nivalenol, 3.13 to 50 microg/kg diacetoxyscirpenol, 6.25 to 200 microg/kg neosolaniol, 3.13 to 18.75 microg/kg HT-2 toxin, and 6.25 microg/kg T-2 toxin. The study reflected the need for routine surveillance of agricultural commodities to minimize potential hazards to human health.     

Multitoxin extraction and detection of trichothecenes in cereals: an improved LC‐MS/MS approach

BACKGROUND: Many multiresidual methods to evaluate natural occurrence of Fusarium toxins are already reported in the scientific literature but a new rapid, reliable, cost‐efficient and high‐sensitivity method for the simultaneous determination of several fusariotoxins is always welcome. Nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol, fusarenon‐X (FUS‐X), 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), HT‐2 toxin, T‐2 toxin, neosolaniol (NEO), zearalanone and zearalenone (ZON) belong to the most common mycotoxins in food matrix grains, e.g., wheat and maize. The proposed method is a multitoxin analytical method that combines high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), triple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) under the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode, and it is focused on the optimization of the sample preparation without the need for any cleanup. RESULTS: Three different methods for sample preparation and for the simultaneous extractions of the above‐mentioned fusariotoxins were tested: two of these were followed by a different cleanup step for comparison, while the extraction method proposed in this work, which uses an 84% (v/v) acetonitrile aqueous solution, sample homogenization and subsequent filtration, was validated without any further cleanup step. CONCLUSION: Calibration curves for all analytes are linear, except DAS, HT‐2 and ZON, over the working range of 10–1000 µg kg^?1. The calibration curve of DAS was linear between 10 and 500 µg kg^?1, although the curves of HT‐2 and ZON were linear in the range 10–250 µg kg^?1. Squared correlation coefficients (R²) were in the range 0.995–0.998 for the all point calibration curves. The lowest limits of detection (LOD) were found for DON and ZAN with 0.5 and 0.2 µg kg^?1, respectively, while the highest LODs were obtained for NIV, FUS‐X and NEO, with 3.3 µg kg^?1 for each toxin. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Factors associated with fumonisin contamination of maize in Uganda

BACKGROUND: During production and handling, maize is attacked by many Fusarium species, some of which are prolific producers of fumonisins. Contamination of maize with fumonisins is influenced by climate, agronomic and postharvest practices. This study investigated the factors associated with the occurrence of fumonisins in maize produced in three agroecological zones of Uganda. RESULTS: All the maize samples were positive for fumonisins with levels ranging from 0.27 to 10 mg kg^?1. A positive and significant correlation (P < 0.01) was observed between fumonisin levels and agroecological zone. Maize from high altitude zone had significantly higher (P < 0.05) mean total fumonisin content (4.93 mg kg^?1) than maize from the mid altitude‐moist (4.53 mg kg^?1) and mid altitude‐dry (4.50 mg kg^?1) zones. Five farmer practices, namely intercropping, crop rotation, delayed harvesting, drying maize on bare ground and planting treated seeds were significantly associated with fumonisin production in maize. Intercropping, delayed harvesting and drying maize on bare ground increased fumonisin contamination whereas crop rotation and planting treated seeds reduced the contamination. CONCLUSION: All maize samples obtained from the three agroecological zones were contaminated with fumonisins. The study showed that some of the farmers' practices predispose maize to fumonisin contamination. The findings are important for future studies aimed at designing strategies to control and prevent contamination of maize with fumonisins. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Toxic (Pb,Cd, Hg) and essential (Fe,Cu, Zn,Mn) metal content of liver tissue of some domestic and bush animals in Ghana

Accumulation of toxic metals in liver, a rich natural source of essential elements, can present health risks to regular consumers of liver. A total of 35 fresh liver samples of cow, sheep, goat, pig, grass-cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), gaint rat (Cricetomys gambianus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), chicken and antelope (Antilocapra americana) were obtained from three different markets in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry and an automatic mercury analyzer. Levels of iron in the grass-cutter and pig of 500.5–645.4 mg kg^?1 were the highest in the animal livers examined. Mn concentrations were highest in grass-cutter and rat liver, ranging 16.5–30.2 mg kg^?1. The safe Cu and Zn permissible limits of 20 and 50 mg kg^?1 were exceeded in 70 and 75% of the liver samples, respectively. Generally, for each animal group studied, at least 50% of the sample livers exceeded the Cd permissible limit of 0.5 mg kg^?1. The levels of Pb, which ranged 1.3–13.8 mg kg^?1, exceeded the proposed European Commission (EC) limit of 0.5 mg kg^?1. Care must be taken by regular consumers of the iron-rich animal livers of grass-cutter, pig and rat because they also had the highest levels of Pb (in grass-cutter and pig) and Cd (in grass-cutter, rat and pig). The liver samples analyzed for Hg had values far below the permissible limit of 0.5 mg kg^?1.     

A survey of ochratoxin A contamination in feeds and sera from organic and standard swine farms in northwest Italy

BACKGROUND: A survey was carried out on conventional (n = 11) and organic (n = 4) swine farms in northwest Italy in order to investigate the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in feed and serum samples collected from September 2006 to March 2009. Each farm was sampled twice and a total of 30 feed samples and 285 serum samples were collected. OTA levels were determined through extraction, immunoaffinity column purification and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis coupled with fluorimetric detection. RESULTS: All feed samples resulted to be contaminated with OTA at levels ranging from 0.22 to 38.4 µg kg^?1. The OTA concentrations found in organic feed samples were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those found in conventional feed samples. All serum samples resulted to be contaminated with OTA at levels ranging from 0.03 to 6.24 ng mL^?1. The OTA concentrations found in organic serum samples were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those found in conventional serum samples. CONCLUSION: None of the feed samples contained more than the maximum level (50 µg OTA kg^?1, considering a feed moisture content of 120 g kg^?1) recommended by the European Commission for OTA in complementary and complete swine feedstuffs. The OTA contamination of organic feed and serum samples was found to be significantly higher than that of conventional feed and serum samples. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in sorghum grains marketed in Tunisia

A total of 64 samples of sorghum (37 Tunisian sorghum samples and 27 Egyptian sorghum samples) were collected during 2011–2012 from markets in Tunisia. Samples were analysed for contamination with aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD). Aflatoxin B1 was found in 38 samples in the range 0.03–31.7 µg kg^?1. Ochratoxin A was detected in 24 samples with concentrations ranging from 1.04 to 27.8 µg kg^?1. Zearalenone was detected in 21 samples and the concentration varied between 3.7 and 64.5 µg kg^?1. ANOVA analysis of the influence of the country of origin on the incidence and concentration of mycotoxins in the samples studied showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the two batches of samples for each of the three mycotoxins studied. The studied mycotoxins contaminate sorghum and may also co-exist because of the diversity of the mycobiota in this cereal.     

Survey of pesticide residues in maize,cowpea and millet from northern Cameroon: part I

In northern Cameroon, the misuse of pesticides for pest control is common among small-scale farmers. Therefore, monitoring of pesticide residues was carried out on stored maize, cowpea and millet from eight localities. The determination of residues of organochlorines (lindane, α-endosulfan and β-endosulfan), organophosphorus compounds (malathion and pirimiphos-methyl), synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin) and carbamates (carbufuran) was performed using GC–ECD/NPD and GC–MS for confirmation. Organochlorine pesticides were detected more frequently and in higher concentrations, ranging from 0.02 ± 0.01 mg kg^?1 for β-endosulfan in millet to 9.53 ± 4.00 mg kg^?1 lindane in maize, than organophosphorus compounds, with concentrations varying from 0.04 ± 0.03 mg kg^?1 for pirimiphos methyl to 0.23 ± 0.38 mg kg^?1 for malathion in maize. Permethrin was found only in maize at 0.39 ± 0.23 mg kg^?1. No carbofuran was found. More than 75% of samples contained pesticide residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL); showing a potential human dietary risk related to consumption of these grains.     

Deoxynivalenol,zearalenone and T-2 in grain based swine feed in Hungary

Fusarium genera can produce trichothecenes like deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and T-2 toxin, which can occur in feed cereal grains. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests of different Hungarian swine feedstuff proved that these mycotoxins were present. In this survey, 45 feed samples from 3 significant Hungarian swine feedstuff manufacturers were tested. ELISA methodology validation showed mean recovery rates in ranges from 85.3% to 98.1%, with intermediate precision of 86.9-96.9% and variation coefficients of 3.4–5.7% and 5.9–7.1%, respectively. The results showed that among Fusarium toxins, generally DON was present in the highest concentration, followed by T-2 and finally ZEN in all tested swine feeds. Each of the mycotoxins was found above the limit of detection in all swine feedstuffs. Boars feed’s DON (average ± standard deviation was 872 ± 139 µg kg^?1) and ZEN (172 ± 18 µg kg^?1) results of one of the manufacturers were above the guidance values. It indicates the necessity for efficient monitoring of DON, ZEN and T-2 mycotoxins in swine feeds.     

Mycoflora and deoxynivalenol in whole wheat grains (Triticum aestivum L.) from Southern Brazil

The fungal species Fusarium graminearum is related to deoxynivalenol (DON) formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate mycoflora and DON occurrence in 53 whole wheat grain samples collected in Southern Brazil during the 2012 crop. Wheat grains showed adequate values of water activity ranging from 0.48 to 0.72, within the required limits of moisture content, ranging from 9.1% to 13.9%. In addition, low counts of fungal colonies, ranging from 10 to 8.2 × 10², were found. For Fusarium genera, there was predominance of Fusarium verticillioides (34%) and F graminearum (30.2%). For Aspergillus species, 37.7% of Aspergillus flavus was determined. Regarding the Penicillium species, Penicillium digitatum (49%) was the most found species. DON was detected in 47.2% (25 out of 53) of the samples analysed, with levels ranging from 243.7 to 2281.3 µg kg^?1 (mean: 641.9 µg kg^?1).