Abstract
BackgroundThe goal of this study has been to evaluate the extent of mycotoxins contamination and their co-occurrence in wheat grain intended for animal feed. A total of 52 wheat samples were collected from the harvest of two consecutive years (2010, 2011) from two counties (Timis and Arad) located in Western Romania and the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZON) and fumonisins (FUMO) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to evaluate the toxicological impact of mycotoxins, naturally contaminated wheat samples were administered in rats feed for one month.ResultsThe mycotoxin with the highest incidence in wheat samples was DON due to agro-climatic conditions typical for the west part of Romania. DON was found in 73.08% of samples harvested in 2010 and the highest level of contamination was 3390 ppb. The incidence of DON in sample from 2011 was lower than those of 2010, with a frequency of occurrence of 19.23%. The occurrence of ZON was in the range 69.23–76.92%, with an average value of 187.74 ppb. The OTA content in wheat was below the maximum tolerable limit established by EU Commission regulation for feed legislation (250 ppb). For FUMO the lowest percentage of positive samples was registered (15.38% in wheat sample harvested in 2010 and 11.54% positive samples in 2011). With respect to the co-occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins, the results proved that ZON was found as a co-contaminant together with DON, especially when climatic conditions for development of fungus are favorable (high air humidity). The differences recorded between investigated localities and their classifications according to the mycotoxin kind and year of harvest were carried out by principal components analysis (PCA). The histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation performed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining technique as well as by assessing the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) revealed significant modification of kidney, liver and spleen cells in the case of DON and FUMO. In terms of toxicity induced by OTA and ZON it was highlighted mixed normal and necrotic areas in liver, while histological assessment revealed normal VEGF expression in kidneys.ConclusionsAlthough none of the analyzed samples exceeding the stipulated maximum limits for cereals used as feed, a high incidence of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species have been recorded (DON and ZON) in wheat samples harvested in Western Romania. Also, histopathological evaluation revealed significant tissue lesions in liver and kidney of rats after one month of feeding with natural contaminated wheat.
Highlights
Cereals and cereal products are significant human food resources and livestock feeds in the whole world
In our study it was determined DON, ZON and FUMO that occur in wheat grain samples as a result of infection of the living plants by the relevant Fusarium species, and mycotoxins occurred during storage (OTA), produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium
It was determined that DON, ZON and FUMO occur as a result of infection of the living plants by the relevant Fusarium species, but mycotoxins occurred during storage – ochratoxin A (OTA), produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium
Summary
Cereals and cereal products are significant human food resources and livestock feeds in the whole world. A large number of crops are susceptible to fungal attack either in the field or during storage, leading to considerable financial losses and damage the health of humans and animals [1]. These fungi may produce, as secondary metabolites a diverse group of chemical substances known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic chemical products formed as secondary metabolites by many species of fungi that colonize crops and contaminate them with toxins in the field or after harvest They are produced during growth and multiplication of fungus when microecological conditions are favorable [2,3]. In order to evaluate the toxicological impact of mycotoxins, naturally contaminated wheat samples were administered in rats feed for one month
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