The state of Fusarium contamination in the last decade

In this article we want to highlight the results of a study that examined the presence of mycotoxins, in particular of the Fusarium group, in maize samples from all over the world. The study “MULTIPLE MYCOTOXINS DETECTED IN CORN harvested on four continents in 2020” by Jog Raj, Hunor Farkaš, Zdenka Jakovčević, Marko Vasiljević and Naresh Magan, 2021 [1], analyzed samples from 4 continents: Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. For each country, 50-60 samples were collected with a total of over 1000 samples.

Introduction

Mycotoxins are among the most important biological contaminants of the food chain, they are produced by different types of fungi, mainly belonging to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera that proliferate when temperature and humidity are favorable.

Within the Fusarium group we find, among the most important, deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisins, Zearalenone (ZON), T-2 and HT-2. These can have carcinogenic, mutagenic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, immunotoxic and teratogenic activity and lead to hormonal, gastrointestinal and renal diseases. The presence of mycotoxins in the agro-food chain entails, in addition to problems inherent to human and animal health, qualitative and quantitative losses of production and lower production efficiencies of livestock..

Limits in food

According to the 2002/32 / EEC directive of the European Parliament of 7th May 2002, it is “impossible to totally exclude the presence of undesirable substances but it is important that their quantity in products intended for animal feed is reduced, with due regard to the acute toxicity, bioaccumulability and degradability of the substance, in order to prevent unwanted and harmful effects from being produced “. The current limits of mycotoxins belonging to the Fusarium group are set by various regulations:

For Fumonisins, DON and ZON: Regulation (EC) n. 1126/2007 of the Commission of 28th September 2007 amending Regulation (EC) no. 1881/2006 which defines the maximum levels of some contaminants in food products as regards Fusarium-toxins in maize and maize-based products.

For T-2 and HT-2 Toxins: the “Commission Recommendation of 27 March 2013” was drafted.

Situation in Europe and worldwide

As previously mentioned, the study was carried out on maize samples from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. All were analyzed by triple quad LC-MS / MS using a multi-mycotoxin method for quantification of all mycotoxins present.

From the results it emerged that Fusarium and in particular Fumonisins were the mycotoxins most detected with an average level of high contamination (more than 80% of the samples from each country tested positive), especially in Italy (the 100% of the samples tested positive), Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Thailand. DON was detected in 67% of the samples from Croatia and Algeria, in 70% of the samples from Colombia and in 100% of the samples collected in Kenya. T-2 and HT-2 toxins were detected in approximately 9% of the samples and ZON in 16%.

Overall, the corn harvested in 2020 was predominantly contaminated with more than one mycotoxin, regardless of the country of origin.

All of this suggests that technologies are needed to control these contaminants in predominantly corn-based foods with the aim of minimizing the impact on animal and human health.

Test Veritas does its part

In order to minimize the impact on the main production chains it is essential that there is regular monitoring of these contaminants. This is the reason why we offer a wide range of Proficiency Test for the research of mycotoxins in different matrices, be they food or feed.

In particular for the Fusarium this year we offer:

PT for the research of Aflatoxins B/G, Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Fumonisins in maize flour (MA2500)
Round of June

Deadline for online order: May 9th 2022
Shipping Date: June 20th 2022
80g x 1 Test Material for confirmatory methods or 40g x 1 Test Material for screening methods (in case the provided volume is not enough, it is possible to order additional material at a reduced price).
The Test Material is incurred (naturally contaminated). The laboratory must prefer incurred Test Materials instead of spiked ones, because only with naturally contaminated samples the extractive capability will be evaluated.
At a reduced price also available partial participations in case you are interested only in some of these analytes.
Separate evaluation data for screening (B code) and confirmatory methods (A code), with the assigned value deriving only from quantitative confirmatory results. Even if you are evaluating a screening method, the PT simulate what you would do in your routine (comparing your results with the confirmatory ones).

PT for the research of DON and ZON in maize flour (MA2503)
Round of June

Deadline for online order: May 9th 2022
Shipping Date: June 20th 2022
55g x 1 Test Material (in case the provided volume is not enough, it is possible to order additional material at a reduced price).
The Test Material is incurred (naturally contaminated). The laboratory must prefer incurred Test Materials instead of spiked ones, because only with naturally contaminated samples the extractive capability will be evaluated.
At a reduced price also available partial participations in case you are interested only in some of these analytes.
Separate evaluation data for screening (B code) and confirmatory methods (A code), with the assigned value deriving only from quantitative confirmatory results. Even if you are evaluating a screening method, the PT simulate what you would do in your routine (comparing your results with the confirmatory ones).

PT for the research of DON and T-2 & HT-2 in wheat (WH2603)
Round of October

Deadline for online order: September 9th 2022
Shipping Date: October 17th 2022
55g x 1 Test Material (in case the provided volume is not enough, it is possible to order additional material at a reduced price).
The Test Material is incurred (naturally contaminated). The laboratory must prefer incurred Test Materials instead of spiked ones, because only with naturally contaminated samples the extractive capability will be evaluated.
At a reduced price also available partial participations in case you are interested only in some of these analytes.
Separate evaluation data for screening (B code) and confirmatory methods (A code), with the assigned value deriving only from quantitative confirmatory results. Even if you are evaluating a screening method, the PT simulate what you would do in your routine (comparing your results with the confirmatory ones).

All the overmentioned Proficiency Tests are EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 accredited and Test Veritas has more than 20 years of experience as PT provider.

If you want to see more details about this or other PTs, such as the list of researched molecules, schedule, prices… go to this page to download the entire programme

You can fin here the information on HOW TO ORDER.

For any other information you will need you can contact us at info@testveritas.com.

[1] https://mycotoxinsite.com/multiple-mycotoxins-detected-corn-harvested-four-continents-2020/?lang=en&utm_source=RRSS&utm_medium=LN&utm_campaign=MYCOTOXINSITE