Abstract
Genus Claviceps is a plant pathogen able to produce a group of toxins, ergot alkaloids (EAs), whose effects have been known since the Middle Ages (ergotism). Claviceps purpurea is the most important representative specie, known to infect more than 400 monocotyledonous plants including economically important cereal grains (e.g., rye, wheat, triticale). EAs are not regulated as such. Maximum limits are in the pipeline of the EU Commission while at present ergot sclerotia content is set by the Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 in unprocessed cereals (0.05% as a maximum). This study aimed to investigate the presence of the six principal EAs (ergometrine, ergosine, ergocornine, α-ergocryptine, ergotamine and ergocristine) and their relative epimers (-inine forms) in rye- and wheat-based products. Of the samples, 85% resulted positive for at least one of the EAs. Wheat bread was the product with the highest number of positivity (56%), followed by wheat flour (26%). Rye and wheat bread samples showed the highest values when the sum of the EAs was considered, and durum wheat bread was the more contaminated sample (1142.6 μg/kg). These results suggest that ongoing monitoring of EAs in food products is critical until maximum limits are set.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are fungal toxin metabolites produced by a wide array of fungi
Claviceps, which is a plant pathogen, is able to produce a group of mycotoxins, ergot alkaloids (EAs), whose effects have been known since the Middle Age [1]
The presence of sclerotia has a double effect, on one hand sclerotia have a negative implication reducing the quality of grasses and grains because of the presence of different classes of alkaloids, being considered undesirable substances for animal and human health; on the other hand, because of the pharmacological effects, EAs have been industrially produced and used as active pharmaceutical drugs in medical applications predominantly used in obstetrics at the beginning of the 20th century, and in the treatment of migraine headaches [2,4]
Summary
Mycotoxins are fungal toxin metabolites produced by a wide array of fungi. Several species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera are responsible for the production of the mycotoxins of most concern (e.g., aflatoxins, ochratoxins and fumonisins among others). Claviceps, which is a plant pathogen, is able to produce a group of mycotoxins, ergot alkaloids (EAs), whose effects have been known since the Middle Age (ergotism) [1]. The presence of sclerotia has a double effect, on one hand sclerotia have a negative implication reducing the quality of grasses and grains because of the presence of different classes of alkaloids, being considered undesirable substances for animal and human health; on the other hand, because of the pharmacological effects, EAs have been industrially produced and used as active pharmaceutical drugs in medical applications predominantly used in obstetrics at the beginning of the 20th century, and in the treatment of migraine headaches [2,4]
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