How Storage Conditions Affect Toxin Levels in Wheat

Jenn Hoskins
20th July, 2024

How Storage Conditions Affect Toxin Levels in Wheat

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Cranfield University examined how storage conditions affect mycotoxin levels in wheat grains
  • High moisture and temperature levels increased the concentration of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G) compared to its precursor, deoxynivalenol (DON)
  • Zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-S) levels were significantly higher than zearalenone (ZEN) under certain storage conditions, highlighting the impact of storage on mycotoxin presence
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi that contaminate cereal grains, posing significant health risks to consumers. Among these, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) are prominent, and their presence in food products has led to increased scrutiny by food safety authorities[2]. A recent study conducted by Cranfield University aimed to explore how different storage conditions impact the concentrations of free mycotoxins and their conjugates in wheat grains[1]. The study focused on the environmental factors influencing fungal growth and mycotoxin production during storage. Specifically, it examined the effects of water activity (aw) and temperature on the concentrations of DON, ZEN, and their respective glucosides/conjugates, as well as emerging mycotoxins in both naturally contaminated and irradiated wheat grains inoculated with Fusarium graminearum. The researchers utilized Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to analyze the samples, ensuring method validation in line with European Commission regulations. One of the key findings was the significant difference in concentrations of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G), a conjugate of DON, compared to its precursor. At a water activity of 0.93 (22% moisture content) and a temperature of 25 °C, the naturally contaminated wheat showed a ratio of 56:44% for D3G to DON, respectively. This suggests that certain environmental conditions can influence the relative presence of these compounds, which has implications for food safety. The high concentrations of D3G could be influenced by various factors, including the wheat variety, harvested season, fungal strain type, or location. This finding aligns with earlier research indicating that D3G, while considered a detoxification product in plants, can revert to its toxic precursor DON during mammalian digestion[3]. The study by Cranfield University underscores the importance of considering both free and conjugated forms of mycotoxins in safety assessments. Additionally, the study revealed that zearalenone-14-sulfate concentrations were three times higher than ZEN in naturally contaminated wheat at a water activity of 0.98 (26% moisture content) at both 20 °C and 25 °C. This highlights the significant impact of storage conditions on the presence of these compounds. Emerging mycotoxins like moniliformin also showed increased concentrations with a rise in temperature, peaking at a water activity of 0.95 and 25 °C. The research builds on previous studies that have documented the transformation of mycotoxins by plants as part of their defense mechanisms[4]. These transformed, or "masked," mycotoxins can remain in the plant tissue and are not routinely screened for in food safety assessments, posing a potential threat to consumer health[4]. By examining the impact of specific storage conditions on mycotoxin concentrations, the study provides valuable insights for developing better storage protocols to minimize mycotoxin contamination. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive monitoring of both free and conjugated mycotoxins in stored grains to ensure food safety.

AgricultureEnvironmentBiochem

References

Main Study

1) The influence of different abiotic conditions on the concentrations of free and conjugated deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in stored wheat

Published 19th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-024-00541-6

Related Studies

2) Prevention strategies for trichothecenes.

Journal: Toxicology letters, Issue: Vol 153, Issue 1, Oct 2004

3) Hydrolytic fate of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside during digestion.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.08.006

4) Masked mycotoxins: a review.

https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201100764


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