Incidence Of Zearalenone Research Articles

Prevalence of Fusarium fungi and their toxins in marketed feed

This study aimed to explore the incidence of Fusarium fungi and their mycotoxins in marketed feed in Qatar. Samples of mixed-grain-cereal, maize, wheat, millet, barley, oat and soybean were tested for the presence of zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins, T2/HT2 and deoxynevalenol (DON) mycotoxins. PCR-based identification of the Fusarium isolates was followed by investigation into genes involved in trichothecenes (tri gene cluster), fumonisins (fum gene cluster) and ZEN (pks gene) biosynthesis. In-vitro mycotoxin production potential of the isolates was compared with their molecular profiles. Mixed-grain cereals showed highest contamination with Fusarium, followed by maize and wheat. The incidence of ZEN was highest in mixed grain samples (87.5%) followed by maize (50%), millet (42.85%) and wheat (40%). In case of DON; 62.5%, 30%, 40%, 14.28%, 50% and 66.67% of the tested mixed cereal grain, maize, wheat, millet, barley and soybean samples were positive. Based on PCR results, F. verticillioides showed highest frequency distribution (34%), followed by F. graminearum (16%), F. oxysporum (15%), F. proliferatum (13%), F. culmorum (8%), F. solani (7%), F. subglutinans (4%) and F. avenaceum (3%) in the feed cereals. All the isolates of F. verticillioides presented both fum1 and fum13 genes, and produced fumonisin mycotoxins in-vitro. All the isolates of F. graminearum and F. culmorum had the tri5 and tri6 genes and resulted in DON accumulation in rice media. In addition to DON, all the F. culmorum isolates produced ZEN in artificially contaminated media, in line with their molecular profile of having tri5, tri6 and pks13 genes. The findings of present study confirmed the occurrence of toxigenic Fusarium and their mycotoxins in animal feed, all below the maximum limit set by EU. Further, the in-vitro mycotoxin production potential of the isolates was in agreement with their tri, fum and pks genetic profiles.

Natural incidence of zearalenone in Croatian pig feed, urine and meat in 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of zearalenone (ZEN) in different feed materials and feedstuffs for pigs, as well as in pig urine and pig meat following contaminated feed consumption. In total, 253 feed material and feedstuff samples were collected from Croatian pig farms. The results revealed the presence of ZEN in significant concentrations, the maximal being found in maize (5522 µg/kg), wheat (3366 µg/kg) and pig fattening feed (1949 µg/kg). In farms in which high feed contamination and pig hyperestrogenism were observed, samples of pig urine (n = 30) and meat (n = 30) were retrieved as well. The mean ZEN concentrations in pig urine and pig meat were 206 ± 20.6 µg/L and 0.62 ± 0.14 µg/kg, respectively. Despite high contamination of feedstuffs responsible for farmed pigs’ intoxication, ZEN levels determined in pig meat were shown to be of little significance for human safety.

Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Feedstuffs of Dairy Cows and Estimation of Total Dietary Intakes

A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs of dairy cows in the Netherlands and to estimate total dietary intakes of these compounds. Twenty-four dairy farms were visited twice and samples taken of all diet ingredients. Feed intake data were collected by means of questionnaires. A total of 169 feed samples were collected and analyzed for 20 mycotoxins using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry multimethod. Silage and compound feed were the main diet ingredients, representing on average 67 and 23% of dry matter intake, respectively. Deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid were the mycotoxins with the highest incidence. The incidence of DON in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 38 to 54%. The incidence of zearalenone in silage, compound feed, and feed commodity samples was 17 to 38%. The DON and zearalenone had a low incidence in forage samples and were not detected in ensiled by-product samples. Roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid were only detected in silage and ensiled by-product samples (incidence 7 to 19%). Fumonisins B1 and B2 were detected in 2 compound feed samples and one feed commodity sample. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT-2 toxin, 3-acetyl-DON, 15-acetyl-DON, diacetoxyscirpenol, sterigmatocystin, fusarenon-X, ergotamine, and penicillinic acid were not detected in any of the samples. Average concentrations of DON, zearalenone, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid in complete diets were 273, 28, 114, and 54μg/kg, respectively. Maximum concentrations were 969, 203, 2,211, and 1,840μg/kg, respectively. Calculated average daily intakes of these mycotoxins were 5.0, 0.5, 2.0, and 0.9 mg/animal, respectively, and maximum daily intakes 19.3, 3.5, 38.9, and 32.3 mg/animal, respectively. Corn silage was the major source of all 4 of these mycotoxins in the diet. Extremely high concentrations of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid (up to 45 and 25 mg/kg, respectively) were detected in visibly molded areas in surface layers of corn silage. These areas appeared to be the main source of roquefortine C and mycophenolic acid in the diet. Because carry-over of DON, zearale-none, roquefortine C, and mycophenolic acid into milk is negligible, their occurrence in feedstuffs is not considered of significant concern with respect to the safety of dairy products for consumers. Potential implications for animal health are discussed.

Incidence of zearalenone and fumonisins in Bulgarian cereal production

Ninty-one small-grain cereals (wheat, barley, maize) collected during the 2007 harvest in Bulgaria were tested for zearalenone (ZON) and fumonisins contamination. Analytical methods based on immunoaffinity clean-up and detection by liquid chromatography was used after validation. Limits of detection for ZON in different matrices were below 4.0 μg/kg in barley and wheat, and slightly higher for maize (17.6 μg/kg). The limit of quantification for ZON was 12 μg/kg in barley and wheat, and 58.8 μg/kg in maize. Recovery values ranged between 84% and 105%. The occurrence of ZON in cereals were rather low and only single incidences was found – up to 148 μg/kg for maize and 36.6 μg/kg for other cereals. Fumonisins in maize have showed a widespread distribution (in 94.7% of tested samples). One of the tested samples was contaminated above the established maximum limits for unprocessed maize.

Occurrence of zearalenone in Korean barley and corn foods

The presence of zearalenone (ZEN) in Korean foods such as barley, barley-based foods, corn, corn-based foods, fruits and vegetables was investigated by direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dcELISA) and the liquid chromatography (LC) method. A total of 164 samples was collected from Seoul, Korea, in 1998 and 1999 including 30 barley, 32 barley-based foods, 18 corn, 47 corn-based foods, 19 dried red pepper, nine dried jujube, and nine dried persimmon. Average recoveries of ZEN from barley and corn by dcELISA were 138 and 145%, and by LC were 91 and 83% respectively at spiking levels of 5–500ng g-1. The detection limit for ZEN was 3ngg-1 by dcELISA and 4ngg-1 by LC. From 164 samples analysed, ZEN was found by dcELISA in 35 samples (21%) with a mean level of 30ngg-1. Barley-based foods had the highest incidence of ZEN (38%) followed by barley (33%), corn-based foods (26%) and corn (22%). No ZEN was detected in any red pepper, jujube or persimmon samples. A high degree of correlation (r2 = 0.86) was observed between the 35 positive samples detected by dcELISA and 31 samples by LC.

Further survey of the occurrence of fusarium toxins in wheat grown in southwest Germany

A total of 53, 54, 57, 52 and 60 wheat samples for feed use were collected randomly after the 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 crops, respectively, from farms in an area of southwest Germany. Deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐ and 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol (3‐, 15‐ADON), nivalenol (NIV), HT‐2 toxin (HT‐2), T‐2 toxin (T‐2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and fusarenon‐X (FUS‐X) were determined by gas chromatography, combined with mass selective detection (GC‐MS), zearalenone (ZEA), α‐ and β‐zearalenol (α‐ß‐ZOL) were determined by HPLC. DON was the major toxin, with incidences at 77 to 93% and mean contents at 167 to 735 μg/kg. In contrast, incidences of ZEA, 3‐ADON, NIV, HT‐2, and T‐2 were at 13 to 37%, 10 to 44%, 15 to 67%, 0 to 11%, and 0 to 12%, respectively, with mean contents in positive samples between 2 and 73 μg/kg, except for 948 μg/kg 3‐ADON in samples from 1993. 15‐ADON and FUS‐X were assayed in samples from 1991, 1992 and 1993. 15‐ADON was found in 0 to 11% of samples at mean levels ≤ 17 μ/kg, DAS, α‐ and β‐ZOL, and FUS‐X were not detected in any sample. Over the years, incidences and levels of toxins remained constant, decreased or increased, with most differences between years being slight and insignificant. The risk for livestock due to DON, HT‐2 and ZEA was estimated based on maximum tolerated levels recommended for these toxins in some countries.

Natural occurrence of Fusavium toxins in oats harvested during five years in an area of southwest Germany

A total of 56, 56, 54, 51, and 55 oats samples used for feed production were collected ramdomly after the 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 crops, respectively, from farms located in an area of southwest Germany. Deoxynivalenol (DON), 3‐ and 15‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (3‐,15‐ADON), nivalenol (NIV), fusarenon‐X (FUS‐X), T‐2 toxin (T‐2), HT‐2 toxin (HT‐2) and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) were determined by gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GCMS), zearalenone (ZEA), α and β‐zearalenol (α‐,β‐ZOL) by GC‐MS or by HPLC. DON was the major toxin with incidences at 49–85% and mean levels in positive samples of 52–302 fig/kg. Incidences of ZEA, 3‐ADON, NIV, HT‐2, and T‐2 were at 20–37, 0–30, 18–67, 0–29, and 27–61%, respectively, with mean levels in positive samples at 8–25, 5–63, 11–192, 205–296, and 20–244 μg/kg, respectively, α‐ and β‐ZOL and DAS were not detected in any sample. 15‐ADON and FUS‐X were assayed in samples from 1987, 1991 and 1992. 15‐ADON was detected in 9, 4 and 0% of samples, with an average of 9 and 18 μg/kg, respectively; FUS‐X was not detected. The incidence and levels of toxins varied from year to year. The correlation between the occurrence of toxins and precipitation is discussed.

Zearalenone: incidence, toxigenic fungi and chemical decontamination in Egyptian cereals.

An investigation was made for the occurrence of Zearalenone (ZEN) and Zearalenone producing fungi in cereals (corn, 50 samples; rice, 45 samples; wheat, 40 samples) collected from Egypt. ZEN was detected in 15 of 50 corn samples with an average concentration of 22.3 ppb. The incidence of ZEN in rice samples was 8.9% (4 samples of 45), and the average was 15.5 ppb. Out of 40 wheat samples 5 samples were contaminated with ZEN (12.5%) with an average of 8.8 ppb. Seventy-nine Fusarium strains belonging to 9 different species were isolated from Egyptian cereals, and when tested for ZEN production only 26 isolates were Zearalenone producer. Efficiency of H2O2 for destruction of ZEN in contaminated corn was studied at different concentration (3, 5 and 10%). The results revealed that per cent of disappearance of ZEN was found to be dependent upon the concentration of H2O2, temperature and period of exposure. The highest per cent of degradation was 83.9%, with 10% H2O2 at 80 degrees C for 16 h, followed by 75% at the same conditions for 8 h, while the lowest one obtained by 3% H2O2 at 50 degrees C for 2 h.

Natural occurrence of Fusarium toxins in barley harvested during five years in an area of southwest Germany.

A total of 44, 40, 47, 51, and 58 barley samples for feed use were collected randomly after the 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992 crops, respectively, from farms located in an area of southwest Germany. The sum of precipitation from May to September was high in 1987 and markedly lower in 1989-1992. Deoxynivalenol, 3-. and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenon-X, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin and diacetxyscirpenol were determined by gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MS), zearalenone,alpha- and beta-zearalenol by GC-MS or by HPLC. Deoxynivalenol was the major toxin with incidences at 71-98% and mean contents at 42-400 microg/kg. In contrast, incidences of zearalenone, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, HT-2 toxin, and T-2 toxin were at 7-68, 7-48, 11-41, 0-9, and 2-29%, respectively; with mean contents at 3-146 microg/kg. alpha- and beta-zearalenol and diacetoxyscirpenol were not detected in any sample. 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and fusarenon-X were assayed in samples from 1987, 1991 and 1992. 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol was detected in 30, 0 and 2% of samples, respectively, with an average content of positive samples at 8 and 4 microg/kg, fusarenon-X was not detected. Over the years, incidences and levels of toxins remained constant, decreased or increased. The correlation between the occurrence of toxins and level of precipitation is discussed.

Fusarium toxins in wheat harvested during six years in an area of southwest Germany.

A total of 84, 78, 80, 80, 78, and 45 wheat samples for feed use were collected randomly after the 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 crops, respectively, from farms in an area of southwest Germany. The sum of precipitation from May to September varied during years, with markedly higher precipitation in 1987, compared to 1989-1993. Deoxynivalenol, 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and fusarenon-X were determined by gas chromatography, combined with mass selective detection (GC-MS), zearalenone, alpha- and beta-zearalenol by GC-MS or HPLC. Deoxynivalenol was the major toxin, with incidences of 68-95% and mean contents at 152-1,692 micrograms/kg. In contrast, incidences of zearalenone, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, HT-2 toxin, and T-2 toxin were at 11-80, 17-60, 25-64, 0-8, and 0-41%, respectively, with mean contents between 3 and 209 micrograms/kg. alpha-zearalenol and/or beta-zearalenol were detected in five samples at contents < or = 71 micrograms/kg; diacetoxyscirpenol was not detected in any sample. 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol and fusarenon-X were assayed in samples from 1987 and 1991-1993. 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol was detected in 3-15% of samples at mean contents of 5-84 micrograms/kg; fusarenon-X was not detected. Over the years, incidences and levels of toxins remained constant, decreased or increased. The correlation between the occurrence of toxins and precipitation is discussed.

Variation in 8-ketotrichothecenes and zearalenone production by Fusarium graminearum isolates from corn and barley in Korea

A total of 214 Fusarium graminearum isolates were obtained from corn and barley which were collected from Kangwon province and the southern part of Korea, respectively, and were tested for 8-ketotrichothecenes and zearalenone (ZEA) production on rice grains. The incidences of trichothecene production by 105 isolates of F. graminearum from corn were 59.0% for deoxynivalenol (DON), 37.1% for 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol(15-ADON), 13.3% for 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 7.6% for 3,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol (3,15-DADON), 20.0% for nivalenol (NIV), 6.7% for 4-acetylnivalenol (4-ANIV), and 1.0% for 4,15-diacetylnivalenol (4,15-DANIV). DON chemotypes frequently produced 15-ADON as the major isomer rather than 3-ADON and 9 of the 61 DON chemotypes produced low levels of NIV. On the other hand, the incidences of trichothecene production of 109 isolates by F. graminearum from barley were 24.8% for DON, 72.5% for NIV, 62.4% for 4-ANIV, and 10.1% for 4,15-DANIV. Of these isolates, 78 were NIV chemotypes and only one isolate produced DON and 3-ADON as major toxins. In addition, 26 of the 78 NIV chemotypes produced low levels of DON. ZEA was frequently produced by the trichothecene-producing isolates and the incidences of ZEA were 51.4% and 31.2% for the isolates from corn and barley, respectively. There was a great regional difference in trichothecene production by F. graminearum isolates between corn- and barley-producing areas in Korea.

RELATION OF WEATHER VARIABLES TO INCIDENCE OF ZEARALENONE IN CORN IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO

Incidence of zearalenone was estimated according to frequency with which the mycotoxin was detected in corn (Zea mays L.) samples received for mycotoxin analyses at the Veterinary Services Laboratory, in Guelph, Ontario. Sampling periods were 1 Sept. to 31 May in 6 successive yr. Frequency of zearalenone was high in 1975–76, moderate in 1972–73, 1976–77 and 1977–78, and low in 1973–74 and 1974–75. Incidence of zearalenone-positive samples for each 104 ha grain corn was highest in a zone extending from the Bruce Peninsula to the Niagara region. Incidence of zearalenone-positive corn samples correlated strongly with rainfall for August, but only moderately or weakly with rainfall for July, September and October. Rain promoted zearalenone accumulation indirectly by favoring epidemic development in corn of the mycotoxigenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. Correlations between zearalenone frequencies and temperatures were weak. Persistent wetness in corn increased ear rot development and incidence of zearalenone.