Chapter 26 - CONTAMINATION OF CEREALS AND FEED WITH FUSARIUM MYCOTOXINS IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

This chapter discusses contamination of cereals and feed with Fusarium mycotoxins in European countries. The natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins such as zearalenone and members of the trichothecene group has been reported worldwide. The occurrence of type A-trichothecenes such as T-2 toxin or di-acetoxyscirpenol has been reported in 11 European countries. The incidence data and levels of these contaminants are presented in the chapter. At least five different type A-trichothecenes were detected in European samples: T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, 15-monoacetoxyscirpenol, and neosolaniol. The occurrence of these mycotoxins has been confirmed by massspectrometry. Another type A-trichothecene, T-2 triol, was detected in some samples by thin layer chromatography, but results were not confirmed. T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol have been found in barley, maize, wheat, oats, and mixed feed of several European countries.