Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in wheat in Slovakia during 2010 and 2011.

Svetlana Sliková,Soňa Gavurníková,Valéria Sudyová,Edita Gregová

doi:10.3390/toxins5081353

Abstract

In this study, a total of 299 grain samples of wheat were collected from four production regions: the maize, sugar beet, potato and feed sectors of Slovakia. The samples were analyzed for deoxynivalenol (DON) content by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Ridascreen® Fast DON. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between years in DON contents (p < 0.027). The occurrence of samples with DON was 82.2% in 2010, with maximum DON content of 7.88 mg kg−1, and 70.7% in 2011, with maximum DON content of 2.12 mg·kg−1. The total mean DON content was 0.62 mg·kg−1; in the feed region 0.22 mg·kg−1; 0.63 mg·kg−1 in the maize region; 0.78 mg·kg−1 in the sugar beet region; 0.45 mg·kg−1 the potato region. The limit of 1.25 mg·kg−1 imposed by the European Union (EU) for DON content was exceeded in 13.7% of the studied samples. The average monthly rainfall for May to June played a critical role in DON content of wheat grains for maize and sugar beet producing regions. The present results indicate that DON content was at a high level in grains from wheat grown during 2010.

Highlights

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is produced by Fusarium species which attack wheat during growth and storage if the grain is not sufficiently dried
The occurrence and severity of the disease caused by Fusarium spp. is dependent on many factors, which are currently examined in predictive models for Fusarium head blight (FHB) and related mycotoxin in wheat [4]
Mycotoxin deoxynivalenol is a serious contaminant of cereals and feed, and is dominant in the West and East of Europe

Summary

Introduction

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is produced by Fusarium species (spp.) which attack wheat during growth and storage if the grain is not sufficiently dried. F. graminearum and F. culmorum are Toxins 2013, 5 the main DON-producing fungi in Europe [1]. In the Slovak Republic, the most common species causing Fusarium head blight (FHB) and contamination of wheat grains with mycotoxins are. G. Smith) Sacc., F. graminearum Schwabe [2] and F. poae [3]. The occurrence and severity of the disease caused by Fusarium spp. is dependent on many factors, which are currently examined in predictive models for FHB and related mycotoxin in wheat [4]. The specificity of FHB lies in the fact that it affects grain formation and that mycotoxins accumulate in infected grains

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Conclusion