Ergot alkaloids are part of the mycotoxin family and are produced by a fungus of the genus Claviceps, more specifically Claviceps purpurea, which affects grasses (rye) and other cereals such as wheat, spelt and oats. This fungus generates spur-like outgrowths (in French ‘ergot’) in infected plants containing various poisonous or psychoactive alkaloids, hence the name ergot alkaloids.
The weather conditions that favour the development of claviceps purpurea are wet weather, rainfall and cold, especially in spring during the flowering of the cereal.
Intake risks
The intake of these alkaloids by humans and animals occurs mainly through the ingestion of contaminated cereal products, flour, bread and baked goods. Consumption of these substances can cause adverse health effects such as ergotism, which can manifest itself in two forms: convulsive and gangrenous. It can cause hallucinations and in extreme cases the loss of limbs. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, a burning sensation in the skin and insomnia.
New regulatory limits for Ergot alkaloids
Regulation (EU) 2021/1399 amends and replaces Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 with regard to the maximum levels of ergot alkaloids in barley, wheat, spelt, rye and oats and in processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children.
Below are the foodstuffs and their limits for the sum of the alkaloids of Claviceps spp:
- Barley, wheat, spelt and oat milling products (with an ash content of less than 900 mg/100 g): 100 μg/kg then 50 μg/kg from 01/07/2024
- Milling products of barley, wheat, spelt and oats (with an ash content of 900 mg/100 g or more) and barley, wheat, spelt and oats placed on the market for the final consumer: 150 μg/kg
- Rye milling products and rye placed on the market for the final consumer: 500 μg/kg until 30/06/2024 then 250 μg/kg from 01/07/2024
- Wheat gluten: 400 μg/kg
- Processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children: 20µg/kg
In order to allow the EU Commission to monitor the progression towards stricter maximum levels and to assess possible modifications due to changes in agricultural practices or climatic and environmental factors, member states will have to provide data and information on this.
Test Veritas is at the side of laboratories that want to assess their performance in view of the entry into force of the new Ergot alkaloid maximum levels and proposing matrices that rarely offered by PTp.
PT for the research of Ergot alkaloids in wheat (WH4705)
Round of October 2024
- Deadline for online orders: August 31st 2024
- Shipping date: October 21st 2024
- Test Material: wheat, 55g x 1 sample
- Analytes: ergocornine, ergocorninine, ergocristine, ergocristininine, alfa+beta ergocriptinine, alfa+beta ergocriptine, ergometrine, ergometrinine, ergosine, ergosinine, ergotamine, total ergot alkaloids
- Indicative concentrations: < 100ppb
- The cost is only 400,00€. Take the chance, if you place your order within January 31st 2024 you will have a special discount of 20% on the list price. You will pay only 320,00 euro instead of 400,00 euro!
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