Abstract
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungal species that have harmful effects on mammals. The aim of this study was to assess the content of mycotoxins in fresh-cut material of selected forage grass species both during and at the end of the growing season. We further assessed mycotoxin content in subsequently produced first-cutting silages with respect to the species used in this study: Lolium perenne (cv. Kentaur), Festulolium pabulare (cv. Felina), Festulolium braunii (cv. Perseus), and mixtures of these species with Festuca rubra (cv. Gondolin) or Poa pratensis (Slezanka). The mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and T-2 toxin were mainly detected in the fresh-cut grass material, while fumonisin and aflatoxin contents were below the detection limits. July and October were the most risky periods for mycotoxins to occur. During the cold temperatures in November and December, the occurrence of mycotoxins in fresh-cut material declined. Although June was a period with low incidence of mycotoxins in green silage, contents of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in silages from the first cutting exceeded by several times those determined in their biomass collected directly from the field. Moreover, we observed that use of preservatives or inoculants did not prevent mycotoxin production.
Highlights
IntroductionPotential plant contaminants include various epiphyte microflora such as undesirable clostridia (Clostrium spp.) and fungi (Fusarium spp., Puccinia spp.) [1,2]
Clean and healthy phytomass is a prerequisite for producing high-quality forage
Our results indicate that mycotoxins were generally not degraded by the ensiling process
Summary
Potential plant contaminants include various epiphyte microflora such as undesirable clostridia (Clostrium spp.) and fungi (Fusarium spp., Puccinia spp.) [1,2]. Development of microscopic fungi may lead to the formation of mycotoxins [3], which are secondary metabolites produced especially by the fungi. Mycotoxins are produced due to interactions and reactions of fungi to environmental conditions [5]. While such production is especially associated with stress caused by extreme weather conditions or damage from insects or animals, mycotoxin contamination of silages is associated with failure in silage management practices [6]. Mycotoxins can cause serious health problems in the human population. Some mycotoxins may pass into milk, which could represent a risk for the food chain [8,9,10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
