Emerging Fusarium Mycotoxins Fusaproliferin, Beauvericin, Enniatins, and Moniliformin in Serbian Maize.

Igor Jajić,Ferenc Bagi,Rudolf Krska,Saša Krstović,Zagorka Savić,Michael Sulyok,Tatjana Dudaš,Aleksandra Stankov,Darko Guljaš

doi:10.3390/toxins11060357

Igor Jajić, Ferenc Bagi + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11060357

Copy DOI

Abstract

Emerging mycotoxins such as moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENs), beauvericin (BEA), and fusaproliferin (FUS) may contaminate maize and negatively influence the yield and quality of grain. The aim of this study was to determine the content of emerging Fusarium mycotoxins in Serbian maize from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 harvests. A total of 190 samples from commercial maize production operations in Serbia were analyzed for the presence of MON, ENs, BEA, and FUS using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The obtained results were interpreted together with weather data from each year. MON, BEA, and FUS were major contaminants, while other emerging mycotoxins were not detected or were found in fewer samples (<20%). Overall contamination was highest in 2016 when MON and BEA were found in 50–80% of samples. In 2017 and 2018, high levels of MON, FUS, and BEA were detected in regions with high precipitation and warm weather during the silking phase of maize (July and the beginning of August), when the plants are most susceptible to Fusarium infections. Since environmental conditions in Serbia are favorable for the occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi, monitoring Fusarium toxins is essential for the production of safe food and feed.

Highlights

IntroductionMycotoxins have become one of the most important food contaminants in modern society
Mycotoxins have become one of the most important food contaminants in modern society.They are toxic secondary metabolites that are usually produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium fungi in favorable environmental conditions
Fusarium molds are known as producers of several mycotoxins, including both “traditional” as trichothecenes, zearalenone, and the fumonisins [2] and “emerging toxins” as moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENs), beauvericin (BEA), and fusaproliferin (FUS) [3]

Summary

Introduction

Mycotoxins have become one of the most important food contaminants in modern society. They are toxic secondary metabolites that are usually produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium fungi in favorable environmental conditions. Among these species, Fusarium are the most prevalent mycotoxin-producing fungi in the northern temperate regions, and mainly Central and Toxins 2019, 11, 357; doi:10.3390/toxins11060357 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins. Fusarium molds are known as producers of several mycotoxins, including both “traditional” as trichothecenes, zearalenone, and the fumonisins [2] and “emerging toxins” as moniliformin (MON), enniatins (ENs), beauvericin (BEA), and fusaproliferin (FUS) [3]. The main producers of emerging Fusarium mycotoxins in cereals are Fusarium avenacum, Fusarium verticillioides (moniliforme), Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium subglutinans [1]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion