Analytical techniques for deoxynivalenol detection and quantification in wheat destined for the manufacture of commercial products

The concern regarding toxicity from the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat that affects both economy and public health leads to the need to find appropriate detection methods for determining the degree of DON contamination in terms of the equipment available and the speed required for obtaining the incidence. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of two alternative analytical techniques for DON quantification for use in the food industry with a reference technique. Samples of wheat and the commercial by-products were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector as the reference method and the results compared with those obtained from a rapid lateral-flow immunochromatographic device (Reveal Q+) and of a Fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the HPLC and Reveal-Q+ data (0.45), although significant (P<0.0003), was lower than that obtained between HPLC and the FTIR method (0.94, P<0.0001). Both methods were considered efficient in quantifying DON levels in wheat-flour samples. This study was aimed at assisting the producers in choosing an appropriate tool for the purpose of analysis and upon consideration of the available equipment.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales (CINDEFI

Analytical techniques for deoxynivalenol detection and quantification in wheat destined for the manufacture of commercial products

The concern regarding toxicity from the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat that affects both economy and public health leads to the need to find appropriate detection methods for determining the degree of DON contamination in terms of the equipment available and the speed required for obtaining the incidence. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of two alternative analytical techniques for DON quantification for use in the food industry with a reference technique. Samples of wheat and the commercial by-products were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector as the reference method and the results compared with those obtained from a rapid lateral-flow immunochromatographic device (Reveal Q+) and of a Fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy technique. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the HPLC and Reveal-Q+ data (0.45), although significant (P<0.0003), was lower than that obtained between HPLC and the FTIR method (0.94, P<0.0001). Both methods were considered efficient in quantifying DON levels in wheat-flour samples. This study was aimed at assisting the producers in choosing an appropriate tool for the purpose of analysis and upon consideration of the available equipment.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Fermentaciones Industriales (CINDEFI

Ecophysiology of Aspergillus Section Nigri Species Potential Ochratoxin A Producers

After aflatoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA) is the most studied mycotoxin due to the toxicological significance in human and animal diets. OTA presence has been extensively reported worldwide in the last decade in several agricultural products. The main OTA producer in tropical and temperate climates is Aspergillus carbonarius followed by species belonging to A. niger aggregate. Currently, many scientists worldwide have studied the influence of water activity and temperature for growth and biosynthesis of OTA by these species on synthetic media. This article reviews ecophysiological studies of Aspergillus section Nigri strains on synthetic media and natural substrates. The results of these investigations suggest that significant amounts of OTA can be produced in only five days and that the use of different storage practices, such as aW and temperature levels below 0.930 and 15 °C, respectively, allow controlling fungal contamination and minimizing the OTA production in several products as peanuts, corn, dried grapes and derived products for human consumption