Abstract
The main goal of the present research was to explore the seasonal variation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat, corn, and their products, collected during 2018–2019. Samples of 449 of wheat and products and 270 samples of corn and their products were examined using reverse-phase liquid chromatography with a UV detector. The findings of the present work showed that 104 (44.8%) samples of wheat and products from the summer season, and 91 (41.9%) samples from winter season were contaminated with DON (concentration limit of detections (LOD) to 2145 µg/kg and LOD to 2050 µg/kg), from summer and winter seasons, respectively. In corn and products, 87 (61.2%) samples from summer and 57 (44.5%) samples from winter season were polluted with DON with levels ranging from LOD to 2967 µg/kg and LOD to 2490 µg/kg, from the summer and winter season, respectively. The highest dietary intake of DON was determined in wheat flour 8.84 µg/kg body weight/day from the summer season, and 7.21 µg/kg body weight/day from the winter season. The findings of the work argued the need to implement stringent guidelines and create awareness among farmers, stakeholders, and traders of the harmful effect of DON. It is mostly observed that cereal crops are transported and stockpiled in jute bags, which may absorb moisture from the environment and produce favorable conditions for fungal growth. Therefore, these crops must store in polyethylene bags during transportation and storage, and moisture should be controlled. It is highly desirable to use those varieties that are more resistant to fungi attack. Humidity and moisture levels need to be controlled during storage and transportation.
Highlights
Cereal plays a vital role in human health and wellbeing
It is worth mentioning that we have studied the incidences of AFs, OTA, ZEN in cereals and, recently, fumonisin B1 in wheat and barley [18]
The recoveries of DON in wheat, corn, wheat and corn flour are represented in Table 1, and the recoveries were greater than 80%, as recommended by (AOAC method 991.31)
Summary
Cereal plays a vital role in human health and wellbeing. Cereals are the most important source of energy, and in developed countries, about 30% of daily calories are derived from cereals, compared to 60 to 80% calories in developing countries [1]. Pakistan is placed seventh in wheat production (25.07 million tons), 10th in rice production (10.8 million tons) and produces 6.31 million tons of corn [2]. In Pakistan, wheat, rice, and corn are the main staple food crops. Pakistan has extreme weather conditions, due to its presence in the subtropical region. Unseasonal rains, monsoons rains, and flash floods are the main factors that provide favorable conditions for the proliferation of fungi in food and food products [3].
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