Fate Of Mycotoxins Research Articles

The fate of mycotoxins in oranges during storage and processing

To evaluate the safety of orange consumption induced by mycotoxins, ‘Newhall’ navel oranges were artificially inoculated with P. expansum and A. tenuissima, followed by an evaluation of the distribution and migration patterns of corresponding mycotoxins (patulin [PAT], tentoxin [Ten], altenuene [ALT], alternariol monomethyl ether [AME], alternariol [AOH] and tenuazonic acid [TeA]) during orange storage and processing. The concentration of mycotoxins decreased as the increase of distance from the lesion, and mycotoxins could be detected throughout the orange when the lesion extended to 8 mm in diameter. AOH and AME pose the primary source of dietary risk with high concentrations and low thresholds of toxicological concern. Orange juice and pectin processing could remove 43.4–98.7% of mycotoxins, while tangerine peelprocessing might lead to significant enrichment of mycotoxins with the processing factors (PFs) of 2.8–3.5. The findings may offer scientific insights into mitigating the dietary risk of mycotoxin exposure from oranges and their derivatives.

How does multiannual plastic mulching in strawberry cultivation influence soil fungi and mycotoxin occurrence in soil?

The production of mycotoxins is often interpreted as fungal response to cope with unfavorable growth conditions induced by toxic substances, environmental and biological factors. Soil covers influence soil environment, which consequently can change the abundance and composition of microbial communities. We investigated how plastic coverage (PC) influence soil fungi and mycotoxin occurrence (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol and zearalenone) compared to the traditional straw coverage (SC) in dependence of soil depth and time in a 3-year field experiment in strawberry cultivation. In total, 300 soil samples, resulting from two treatments, three soil layers, and ten sampling dates (n = 5), were analyzed for mycotoxins and ergosterol (proxy for soil fungal biomass) with liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-detection, respectively. The modified microclimate under PC had no significant influence on fungal biomass, whereas SC promoted fungal biomass in the topsoil due to C-input. Mycotoxins were detected under both cover types in concentrations between 0.3 and 21.8 µg kg−1, mainly during strawberry establishment period and after fungicide application. Deoxynivalenol had the highest detection frequency with 26.3% (nivalenol: 8.3%, zearalenone: 8.7%). This study confirmed the in situ production of mycotoxins in soil, which seems mainly triggered by field treatment (fungicide application) and plant growth stage (establishment period) rather than on mulching type. Further investigations are necessary to better understand the influence of different agricultural practices and soil types on the production and fate of mycotoxins.

Mycotoxin Interactions along the Gastrointestinal Tract: In Vitro Semi-Dynamic Digestion and Static Colonic Fermentation of a Contaminated Meal.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) naturally co-occur in several foods, but no studies have followed the fate of mycotoxins’ interactions along the gastrointestinal tract using in vitro digestion models. This study used a novel semi-dynamic model that mimics gradual acidification and gastric emptying, coupled with a static colonic fermentation phase, in order to monitor mycotoxins’ bioaccessibility by the oral route. AFB1 and OTA bioaccessibility patterns differed in single or co-exposed scenarios. When co-exposed (MIX meal), AFB1 bioaccessibility at the intestinal level increased by ~16%, while OTA bioaccessibility decreased by ~20%. Additionally, a significant increase was observed in both intestinal cell viability and NO production. With regard to mycotoxin–probiotic interactions, the MIX meal showed a null effect on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strain growth, while isolated AFB1 reduced bacterial growth parameters. These results were confirmed at phylum and family levels using a gut microbiota approach. After colonic fermentation, the fecal supernatant did not trigger the NF-kB activation pathway, indicating reduced toxicity of mycotoxins. In conclusion, if single exposed, AFB1 will have a significant impact on intestinal viability and probiotic growth, while OTA will mostly trigger NO production; in a co-exposure situation, both intestinal viability and inflammation will be affected, but the impact on probiotic growth will be neglected.

Influence of processing steps on the fate of ochratoxin A, patulin, and alternariol during production of cloudy and clear apple juices

Mycotoxins are frequently found in fruits and fruit juices. However, data about occurrence and fate of mycotoxins along the fruit juice processing chain are currently insufficient. Herein, a liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) multi-mycotoxin method was developed and applied to investigate the effect of technological unit operations on the fate of three of the most relevant mycotoxins along the processing chain for cloudy and clear apple juice, namely patulin (PAT), ochratoxin A (OTA), and alternariol (AOH). Raw juice obtained directly after dejuicing was spiked with the aforementioned mycotoxins at pilot-plant scale prior to subjecting it to different technological unit operations. Regarding clear apple juice production treatment with a pectinolytic enzyme preparation, and pasteurization were insignificant for mycotoxin reduction, but fining with subsequent filtration was effective, although the mycotoxins showed different affinity towards the tested agents. The most effective fining agent was activated charcoal/bentonite in combination with ultrafiltration, which removed OTA (54 µg/L) and AOH (79 µg/L) to not quantifiable amounts (limit of quantification (LOQ) 1.4 and 4.6 µg/L, respectively), while PAT was reduced only by 20% (from 396 to 318 µg/L). Regarding cloudy apple juice production, all studied processing steps such as centrifugation and pasteurization were ineffective in reducing mycotoxin levels. In brief, none of the common steps of clear and cloudy apple juice production represented a fully effective safety step for minimizing or even eliminating common mycotoxins. Thus, ensuring the sole use of sound apples should be of utmost importance for processors, particularly for those manufacturing cloudy juices.

Fate of deoxynivalenol (DON) and impact on the soil microflora and soil fauna

Fusarium graminearum is a plant-pathogenic fungus that causes the devastating disease “Fusarium head blight” (FHB) in cereal crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum). It also contaminates grains with mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), which turn toxic to humans and animals. This fungus overwinters in crop residues left in the field. The fate of mycotoxins in these crop residues in the soil and their ecological role are still unexplored. Therefore, our objective was to assess whether mycotoxins are maintained in the soil, impact the soil biome and benefit the survival of F. graminearum. A six-month study in microcosms was performed to examine the fate of DON in F. graminearum-contaminated wheat straw and soil, and its impact on soil communities. DON was extracted from straw and soil mixtures, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fusarium graminearum and total fungal and bacterial molecular biomasses were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Nematode and earthworm densities were quantified through binocular observations. Changes in the genetic structure of fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes communities were determined by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses. Results revealed that DON disappeared from the straw and the soil over time. The rate of disappearance was accelerated when straw was incorporated into the soil and when microcosms contained earthworms. Fungal and bacterial biomass, first stimulated during the incorporation of straw, decreased after 2 weeks and until the end of the experiment (24 weeks). It decreased more strongly in the presence of DON. This negative impact of DON was temporary and at the end of the experiment, the bacterial and fungal biomass was higher in the treatments that received DON than in the other treatments while the population of F. graminearum was unaffected. Similarly, DON modified the community structures of fungi, bacteria and protozoa to various extents but not that of nematodes. DON-contaminated straw was found attractive for earthworms, and its presence stimulated their reproduction or cocoon hatching. The major conclusion is that DON briefly affected soil communities, disappeared over time and gave no observable advantage to soil-borne F. graminearum populations.

The fate of mycotoxins during secondary food processing of maize for human consumption.

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungal metabolites that are associated with health hazards and are widespread in cereals including maize. The most common mycotoxins in maize that occur at relatively high levels are fumonisins (FBs), zearalenone, and aflatoxins; furthermore, other mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A are frequently present in maize. For these toxins, maximum levels are laid down in the European Union (EU) for maize raw materials and maize-based foods. The current review article gives a comprehensive overview on the different mycotoxins (including mycotoxins not regulated by EU law) and their fate during secondary processing of maize, based on the data published in the scientific literature. Furthermore, potential compliance with the EU maximum levels is discussed where appropriate. In general, secondary processing can impact mycotoxins in various ways. Besides changes in mycotoxin levels due to fractionation, dilution, and/or concentration, mycotoxins can be affected in their chemical structure (causing degradation or modification) or be released from or bound to matrix components. In the current review, a special focus is set on the effect on mycotoxins caused by different heat treatments, namely, baking, roasting, frying, (pressure) cooking, and extrusion cooking. Production processes involving multiple heat treatments are exemplified with the cornflakes production. For that, potential compliance with FB maximum levels was assessed. Moreover, effects of fermentation of maize matrices and production of maize germ oil are covered by this review.

Occurrence and preventive strategies to control mycotoxins in cereal-based food.

Mycotoxins contamination in cereal-based food is ubiquitous according to systematic review of the scientific documentation of worldwide mycotoxin contamination in cereal and their products between 2008 and 2018, thus representing food safety issue especially in developing tropical countries. Food processing plays a vital role to prevent mycotoxin contamination in food. Therefore, it is with great urgency to develop strategies to inhibit fungi growth and mycotoxin production during food processing. This review begins by discussing physicochemical properties of five most common mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone) found in cereal grains, regulation for mycotoxins in food, and their potential negative impact on human health. The fate of mycotoxins during major cereal-based food processing including milling, breadmaking, extrusion, malting, and brewing was then summarized. In the end, traditional mitigation strategies including physical and chemical and potential application of biocontrol agent and essential oil nanoemulsions that can be applied during food processing were discussed. It indicated that no single method is currently available to completely prevent mycotoxin contamination in cereal foods.

Effects of processing whole oats on the analysis and fate of mycotoxins and ergosterol

Grinding and dividing equipment were evaluated for their ability to comminute and divide ground oats in preparation for mycotoxin analysis. Four different grinders, using various settings, were evaluated for their ability to comminute oats and produce small particle sizes. Rotor beater type grinders produced the more desirable finer ground samples as compared to burr type mills. Four different division methods (manual scooping, rotary sample division, and two designs of gravity-fed dividers) were assessed for their ability to produce sub-samples with consistent particle size fraction distributions. No practical differences were observed on the particle size fraction distribution of test portions of finely ground oats produced using the four different division methods; therefore, no effects on mycotoxin analysis were anticipated. The effects of processing naturally contaminated whole oats on mycotoxin concentrations was also assessed. Laboratory scale dehulling, steaming, and kilning were examined. Dehulling showed the greatest impact and removed 60-100% of variousFusarium- andAlternaria-produced mycotoxins, as well as ergosterol, present on the naturally contaminated whole oats. Different from the other analytes studied, only 48% of the mycotoxin plant transformation product deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside was present in hulls and removed during dehulling. Steaming and kilning appeared to increase ergosterol in groats, as well as decrease deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3- glucoside. The observed inconsistent changes in concentrations of tentoxin after heat treatment of groats appeared to be due to sample heterogeneity.

Development of a rapid multi-mycotoxin LC-MS/MS stable isotope dilution analysis for grain legumes and its application on 66 market samples

Mycotoxin contamination is a well-known problem in grains, nuts, and oilseeds. Similarly, grain legumes (pulses) are affected by fungal infections and, consequently, the formation of mycotoxins as well. However, only little data on mycotoxin occurrence exists for this commodity and only few validated quantification methods for multi-mycotoxin analysis have been reported. In order to effectively assess contamination levels for grain legumes, a high performance liquid chromatography method coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed, validated for the matrix soybean and tested with further grain legumes. The method implements a QuEChERS-like extraction and a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) to facilitate the quantification of nine different mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin). In a non-representative market sample screening, 66 samples of dry grain legumes from the Dutch and the German market were measured. Incidentally, high levels of ochratoxin A were detected in white beans and green peas with 157 μg/kg and 49.4 μg/kg, respectively. In addition, T-2 toxin was detected in one black lentil sample. A multi-mycotoxin method as a tool for rapid collection of data on mycotoxin levels in grain legumes may proof valuable for evaluating exposure and fate of mycotoxins during the whole value-added (feed and food) chain.

Seasonal impact and daily intake assessment of mycotoxins in flour, bread, and nixtamalized maize

AbstractThe temperature and conditions of moisture after harvesting have the most important impact on fungal growth and mycotoxin production. The present study was designed to assess the presence of different mycotoxins in grains of spring and autumn varieties of maize collected from Sahiwal, district Pakistan. A total of 234 samples of maize flour, bread, and nixtamalized flour were analyzed. All samples were found to be contaminated with aflatoxin and zearalenone while ochratoxin was not detected in any sample. Bread showed the reduction in mycotoxins level for autumn and spring season as (55 and 51%) for aflatoxins (AFs) and (84 and 63% for zearalenone (ZEA) for autumn and spring season's samples. Nixtamalization also showed the reduction in mycotoxins level for autumn and spring (73 and 60%) for AFs and (72.9 and 52%) for ZEA for autumn and spring seasons sample. The probable daily intake values for aflatoxin and zearalenone in autumn and spring seasons were in the range between 0.035–0.049 and 0.350–0.336 μg/kg b.w./day.Practical applicationsThe potential presence of mycotoxins in maize is a major health concern for the producers as well as consumers. Mycotoxins presence in food supply chain is result of poor storage condition favoring growth of mold. The mold produces secondary metabolites, mycotoxins. Mycotoxins once become part of maize will be carried out with supply chain. Therefore, monitoring of mycotoxins is necessary to assess their concentration so that food can be made safe for the consumer. Other than quantification of mycotoxins, analysis of mycotoxins behavior toward processing or heat have significant importance for the maize processing industry. This study provides quantification and fate of mycotoxins during processing of maize and nixtamalization. Mycotoxins behavior toward processing will provide relation to their presence and possible reduction.

Fate of mycotoxins and related fungi in the anaerobic digestion process

In this study, the possibility to manage maize contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins for the production of biogas was considered. This is a priority in the climate change scenario that is expected to increase the occurrence of aflatoxins in maize. The results clearly underline how the anaerobic digestion process used in biogas plants is able to reduce aflatoxin contamination, mainly when highly contaminated maize is used for feeding the biodigestors without affecting the efficiency of methane production. In particular, the higher aflatoxin contamination is, the higher is mycotoxin reduction during biodigestion, with reductions up to 95% in digestate. The co-occurring mycotoxins, fumonisins, were also reduced by around 15%. The vitality of mycotoxin producing fungi was also significantly reduced. Biogas production is therefore suggested as a good alternative use for uncompliant maize.

The Fate of Mycotoxins During the Processing of Wheat for Human Consumption.

Mycotoxins are a potential health threat in cereals including wheat. In the European Union (EU), mycotoxin maximum levels are laid down for cereal raw materials and final food products. For wheat and wheat-based products, the EU maximum levels apply to deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, aflatoxins, and ochratoxin A. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the different mycotoxins and their legal limits and on how processing of wheat can affect such contaminants, from raw material to highly processed final products, based on relevant scientific studies published in the literature. The potential compliance with EU maximum levels is discussed. Of the four mycotoxins regulated in wheat-based foods in the EU, most data are available for DON, whereas aflatoxins were rarely studied in the processing of wheat. Furthermore, available data on the effect of processing are outlined for mycotoxins not regulated by EU law-including modified and emerging mycotoxins-and which cover DON derivatives (DON-3-glucoside, mono-acetyl-DONs, norDONs, deepoxy-DON), nivalenol, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, enniatins, beauvericin, moniliformin, and fumonisins. The processing steps addressed in this review cover primary processing (premilling and milling operations) and secondary processing procedures (such as fermentation and thermal treatments). A special focus is on the production of baked goods, and processing factors for DON in wheat bread production were estimated. For wheat milling products derived from the endosperm and for white bread, compliance with legal requirements seems to be mostly achievable when applying good practices. In the case of wholemeal products, bran-enriched products, or high-cereal low-moisture bakery products, this appears to be challenging and improved technology and/or selection of high-quality raw materials would be required.

Fate of Free and Conjugated Mycotoxins within the Production of Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS).

Contamination of feed with mycotoxins represents a serious worldwide problem concerning animal health and related economic losses. The present paper provides comprehensive knowledge about the fate of mycotoxins during the production of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The study was carried out using naturally infected maize material in five repetitions. For mycotoxin analysis, a QuEChERS-like ("Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe") isolation approach and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was used. A significant increase of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its glycosylated form, DON-3-glucoside (DON-3-Glc), was observed during the first part of fermentation, when hydrolytic enzymes were added. After yeast addition, the total DON content rapidly decreased. An opposite trend was observed for fumonisin B1 (FB1), in which yeast addition contributed to increase of its content. Further considerable change in mycotoxin content occurred during the drying step, in which approximately two-thirds of the original content was lost.

Mycotoxin Contamination in the EU Feed Supply Chain: A Focus on Cereal Byproducts.

Mycotoxins represent a risk to the feed supply chain with an impact on economies and international trade. A high percentage of feed samples have been reported to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. In most cases, the concentrations were low enough to ensure compliance with the European Union (EU) guidance values or maximum admitted levels. However, mycotoxin co-contamination might still exert adverse effects on animals due to additive/synergistic interactions. Studies on the fate of mycotoxins during cereal processing, such as milling, production of ethanol fuels, and beer brewing, have shown that mycotoxins are concentrated into fractions that are commonly used as animal feed. Published data show a high variability in mycotoxin repartitioning, mainly due to the type of mycotoxins, the level and extent of fungal contamination, and a failure to understand the complexity of food processing technologies. Precise knowledge of mycotoxin repartitioning during technological processes is critical and may provide a sound technical basis for feed managers to conform to legislation requirements and reduce the risk of severe adverse market and trade repercussions. Regular, economical and straightforward feed testing is critical to reach a quick and accurate diagnosis of feed quality. The use of rapid methods represents a future challenge.

Reprint of "Bioaccessibility of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in mycotoxin contaminated bread models submitted to in vitro human digestion"

T-2 and HT-2 toxins are Fusarium mycotoxins frequently occurring in cereal-based products with a toxic effect ascertained on different biological systems. Despite other mycotoxins, to date bioaccessibility of T-2 and HT-2 toxins has never been investigated. In order to provide insights on T-2 and HT-2 stability and bioaccessibility along digestion in the upper intestinal tract, differently contaminated bread samples produced at laboratory scale were submitted to in vitro digestion experiments. Two different contaminated bread models were prepared with this aim. One employed naturally contaminated wheat flour for production of naturally contaminated bread, whereas in the other model dough was fortified with both mycotoxins during bread preparation before undergoing the leavening and baking process. Gastro-duodenal fluids were collected at different time-points along simulated digestion and mycotoxin content determined by LC-High Resolution–Mass Spectrometry. Our data report that HT-2 content in the beginning of the gastric phase was not significantly different from what was recorded at the end of the duodenal phase, although an apparent decrease of the signal was displayed in the early duodenal phase in both bread models tested. By contrast, the consistent drop of approximately 50% observed for T-2 when the duodenal digestion started remained constant until the digestion reached completion. In conclusion both approaches provided similar results thus considering incurred food models valid alternatives to undertake such investigations. Finally, bioaccessibility of T2 and HT2 was calculated in both food models tested with a higher bioaccessibility found in artificially contaminated bread samples. Industrial Relevance: Food is very complex both in composition and structure; therefore, generic realistic models that can mimic this complexity are required. Such models would greatly facilitate evaluation of the impact of changing composition or processing conditions on nutrition and safety. The primary scope of this work (part of the EU funded DREAM project) is to integrate experimental and mathematical approaches elsewhere optimised to develop a cereal-based food model realistic enough to be used by the industry and sufficiently versatile to be used as predictive tool of food behaviour. This is would be also applicable to study the release of contaminants from food such as mycotoxins. In general, food parameters may affect mycotoxins bioavailability from foods. A number of mycotoxins are currently regulated in foodstuffs by the European Commission and as a consequence there is growing interest and concern of the public health authorities for the presence of mycotoxins in human food. Due to the different chemical structure and stability, the fate of mycotoxins during food processing and the relevant bioaccessibility upon digestion process vary considerably depending on the different food preparations. Limited data are currently available on the fate of trichothecenes during food processing and human digestion. Therefore, the fate of these mycotoxins during processing of some specific food models is of paramount importance to be assessed. The bioaccessibility of trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, T2 and HT-2 toxins) from a selected cereal based food model evaluated by an in vitro digestion model is also important to understand the safety of the final food.

Fate of mycotoxins in two popular traditional cereal-based beverages (kunu-zaki and pito) from rural Nigeria

Mycotoxins frequently contaminate cereals and their fermented products, however, the carry–over profiles and concentrations of mycotoxins in the final product depend on the processing techniques employed. Therefore, the fate of mycotoxins in two popularly consumed Nigerian cereal-based beverages, kunu-zaki and pito, were studied using the raw cereals, their malted forms and the final drinks. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis revealed 24 and 33 fungal metabolites in kunu-zaki and pito respectively, and their cereal inputs. Among the metabolites were 12 mycotoxins (alternariol, alternariolmethylether, beauvericin, deoxynivalenol, enniatin A and B, fumonisin B1 (FB1), FB2 and FB3, fusaproliferin, moniliformin and zearalenone). Mycotoxin levels were higher in the maize-based kunu-zaki (<LOQ–123 μg/kg) and its cereal ingredients (0.1–31,200 μg/kg) than in the sorghum-based pito (<LOQ–5 μg/kg) and its cereal base (1.2–85 μg/kg) respectively. Processing drastically reduced concentrations of all mycotoxins in kunu-zaki (range: 76.2–99.9%) and pito (59.3–94.8%). Both drinks therefore represent a safe food in the local setting.

Bioaccessibility of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in mycotoxin contaminated bread models submitted to in vitro human digestion

T-2 and HT-2 toxins are Fusarium mycotoxins frequently occurring in cereal-based products with a toxic effect ascertained on different biological systems. Despite other mycotoxins, to date bioaccessibility of T-2 and HT-2 toxins has never been investigated. In order to provide insights on T-2 and HT-2 stability and bioaccessibility along digestion in the upper intestinal tract, differently contaminated bread samples produced at laboratory scale were submitted to in vitro digestion experiments. Two different contaminated bread models were prepared with this aim. One employed naturally contaminated wheat flour for production of naturally contaminated bread, whereas in the other model dough was fortified with both mycotoxins during bread preparation before undergoing the leavening and baking process. Gastro-duodenal fluids were collected at different time-points along simulated digestion and mycotoxin content determined by LC-High Resolution–Mass Spectrometry. Our data report that HT-2 content in the beginning of the gastric phase was not significantly different from what was recorded at the end of the duodenal phase, although an apparent decrease of the signal was displayed in the early duodenal phase in both bread models tested. By contrast, the consistent drop of approximately 50% observed for T-2 when the duodenal digestion started remained constant until the digestion reached completion. In conclusion both approaches provided similar results thus considering incurred food models valid alternatives to undertake such investigations. Finally, bioaccessibility of T2 and HT2 was calculated in both food models tested with a higher bioaccessibility found in artificially contaminated bread samples. Industrial Relevance: Food is very complex both in composition and structure; therefore, generic realistic models that can mimic this complexity are required. Such models would greatly facilitate evaluation of the impact of changing composition or processing conditions on nutrition and safety. The primary scope of this work (part of the EU funded DREAM project) is to integrate experimental and mathematical approaches elsewhere optimised to develop a cereal-based food model realistic enough to be used by the industry and sufficiently versatile to be used as predictive tool of food behaviour. This is would be also applicable to study the release of contaminants from food such as mycotoxins. In general, food parameters may affect mycotoxins bioavailability from foods. A number of mycotoxins are currently regulated in foodstuffs by the European Commission and as a consequence there is growing interest and concern of the public health authorities for the presence of mycotoxins in human food. Due to the different chemical structure and stability, the fate of mycotoxins during food processing and the relevant bioaccessibility upon digestion process vary considerably depending on the different food preparations. Limited data are currently available on the fate of trichothecenes during food processing and human digestion. Therefore, the fate of these mycotoxins during processing of some specific food models is of paramount importance to be assessed. The bioaccessibility of trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, T2 and HT-2 toxins) from a selected cereal based food model evaluated by an in vitro digestion model is also important to understand the safety of the final food.

Fate of Mycotoxins during Beer Brewing and Fermentation

Mycotoxins are frequent contaminants of grains, and breweries need, therefore, to pay close attention to the risk of contamination in beer made from such grains as barley and corn. The fate of 14 types of mycotoxin (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone) during beer brewing was investigated in this study. Malt artificially spiked with each mycotoxin was put through the mashing, filtration, boiling and fermentation processes involved in brewing. After brewing, the levels of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, and zearalenone were found to have decreased to less than 20% of their initial concentration. They had been adsorbed mainly to the spent grain and removed from the unhopped wort. Additionally, as zearalenone was known, patulin was metabolized to the less toxic compound during the fermentation process. The risk of carry-over to beer was therefore reduced for half of the mycotoxins studied. However, attention still needs to be paid to the risk of trichothecene contamination.

The Fate of Mycotoxins during the Distillation Process of Barley Shochu, a Distilled Alcoholic Beverage

Mycotoxins are frequent contaminants of grains and critical risk substances for brewers. Fermented barley mash contaminated artificially with 13 representative mycotoxins was distilled with small-scale apparatuses to elucidate the possibility of mycotoxin transfer from mash to distillates. None of these were detected in the distillates. The distillation process can effectively reduce the contamination risk posed by mycotoxins in distilled alcoholic beverages.

Chemical Composition of Distillers Grains, a Review

In recent years, increasing demand for ethanol as a fuel additive and decreasing dependency on fossil fuels have resulted in a dramatic increase in the amount of grains used for ethanol production. Dry-grind is the major process, resulting in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a major coproduct. Like fuel ethanol, DDGS has quickly become a global commodity. However, high compositional variation has been the main problem hindering its use as a feed ingredient. This review provides updated information on the chemical composition of distillers grains in terms of nutrient levels, changes during dry-grind processing, and causes for large variation. The occurrence in grain feedstock and the fate of mycotoxins during processing are also covered. During processing, starch is converted to glucose and then to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Most other components are relatively unchanged but concentrated in DDGS about 3-fold over the original feedstock. Mycotoxins, if present in the original feedstock, are also concentrated. Higher fold of increases in S, Na, and Ca are mostly due to exogenous addition during processing, whereas unusual changes in inorganic phosphorus (P) and phytate P indicate phytate hydrolysis by yeast phytase. Fermentation causes major changes, but other processing steps are also responsible. The causes for varying DDGS composition are multiple, including differences in feedstock species and composition, process methods and parameters, the amount of condensed solubles added to distiller wet grains, the effect of fermentation yeast, and analytical methodology. Most of them can be attributed to the complexity of the dry-grind process itself. It is hoped that information provided in this review will improve the understanding of the dry-grind process and aid in the development of strategies to control the compositional variation in DDGS.