Mycotoxins in Plant Based Drinks from Croatian Market

Abstract

Biljni napitci sve su češća zamjena za mlijeko životinjskog podrijetla.. Unatoč njihovoj rastućoj popularnosti, procjena rizika od mikotoksina u biljnim napitcima još uvijek nije uspostavljena. Zbog toga je u ovom istraživanju analizirana 44 biljna napitka dostupna na hrvatskom tržištu.:11 uzoraka zobenog, 8 rižinog, 7 od sojinog, 10 bademovog, po 2 kokosova i 2 lješnjakova te 4 uzorka mješavina biljnih napitaka (zob i badem, zob i lješnjak, zob i kokos).. Svi navedeni uzorci analizirani su multitoksinskom LC-MS/MS metodom. Utvrđeno je da su uzorci biljnih napitaka kontaminirani mikotoksinima, odnosno sekundarnim metabolitima koje proizvode gljive i plijesni:. Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. i Penicillium spp. Mikotoksin ehinulin koji je sekundarni metabolit Aspergillus spp. pronađen je u 57% uzoraka. Također su pronađeni mikotoksini koje proizvodi Alterniaria spp.: alternariol, alternariol monometil eter i tenuazonska kiselina, upravo za ova 3 mikotoksina definiran je zakonodavni okvir. Europska agencija za sigurnost hrane donijela je preporuku za praćenje mikotoksina eniatina koji proizvodi Fusarium spp., prema našim rezultatima pronađeni su sva 4 oblika eniatin mikotoksina. Od ostalih mikotoksina koji proizvodi Fusarium spp. pronađeni su mikotoksini bovericin, moniliformin i zearalenon. Osim mikotoksina u uzorcima pronađeni su fitoestroegeni i mnogi biljni metaboliti. Ovi rezultati ukazuju na potrebu za preventivnim mjerama i jasnim zakonodavnim okvirom kako bi se osigurala sigurnost biljne hrane i napitaka.Plant-based beverages have emerged as increasingly popular alternatives to dairy milk. Despite their widespread consumption, comprehensive risk assessments regarding mycotoxin contamination in these products remain limited. This study analyzed 44 plant-based beverages commercially available on the Croatian market, comprising 11 oat, 8 rice, 7 soy, 10 almond, 2 coconut, 2 hazelnut, and 4 mixed formulations (e.g., oat-almond, oat-hazelnut, oat-coconut). All samples were analyzed using a validated multi-mycotoxin liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The results revealed that the samples were contaminated with various mycotoxins—secondary metabolites synthesized by fungal genera including Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., and Penicillium spp. Notably, echinulin, a metabolite of Aspergillus spp., was detected in 57% of the analyzed samples. Several Alternaria-derived mycotoxins—alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tenuazonic acid—were also identified, all of which are currently under regulatory evaluation. Additionally, four enniatin analogues, produced by Fusarium spp., were detected, in alignment with EFSA recommendations for monitoring. Other Fusarium-related toxins, including beauvericin, moniliformin, and zearalenone, were also detected. Beyond mycotoxins, the presence of phytoestrogens and diverse plant-derived metabolites was observed. These findings underscore the necessity for preventive measures and the development of a robust regulatory framework to ensure the safety of plant-based food and beverage products