Survey of T-2 and HT-2 toxins by LC–MS/MS in oats and oat products from European oat mills in 2005–2009

T-2 and HT-2 toxins were analysed in oats (n = 243), oat flakes (n = 529), oat meal (n = 105) and oat by-products (n = 209) from 11 European mills during 2005–2009 by high-performance liquid chromatography with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Limits of quantification were 5 μg kg−1 for both T-2 and HT-2 toxins in oats. The incidence of T-2 + HT-2 (> 5 μg kg−1) in oats, oat flakes, oat meal and oat by-products was 93, 77, 34 and 99%, respectively. The mean values of T-2 + HT-2 were 94, 17, 11 and 293 μg kg−1 for oats, oat flakes, oat meal and oat by-products, respectively. T-2 and HT-2 occurred together and the T-2 level was 52% of HT-2 in oats. Maximal T-2 and HT-2 concentration in oat flakes and oat meal were 197 and 118 μg kg−1. The toxins were reduced by 82–88% during processing, but increased 3.1 times in oat by-products

Different grain grinding methods affect detection of Fusarium graminearum DNA and mycotoxins

Fusarium graminearum is the most important deoxynivalenol (DON) producing species in northern Europe and Asia. The highest DON levels in Finland have been found in oat grain, and DNA levels of F. graminearum are in agreement with DON levels, when DON is measured by accredited GC-MS. In addition to DON, 3ADON is present in Finnish grain samples. Large variations in DON content and amounts of F graminearum DNA, and poor coefficient of determination (R-2) between these, have been detected in oat grain when the RIDA (R) QUICKSCAN kit results for DON content have been used. This study confirmed that the coefficient of determination was usually less when DNA or DON were extracted from oat flour, which was not ground with 0.8 mm or 1 mm sieves. DON levels obtained with the Rida Quick method were usually higher than those obtained with accredited GC-MS in Finnish oat, barley and wheat samples. The homogenization of the oat flour by sieving is therefore likely to be connected to the variations in DON detection. Amounts of F graminearum DNA and DON close to legislative limits should be reconfirmed with accredited quantitative analyses

The fire toxicity of polyurethane foams [Review]

Polyurethane is widely used, with its two major applications, soft furnishings and insulation, having low thermal inertia, and hence enhanced flammability. In addition to their flammability, polyurethanes form carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other toxic products on decomposition and combustion. The chemistry of polyurethane foams and their thermal decomposition are discussed in order to assess the relationship between the chemical and physical composition of the foam and the toxic products generated during their decomposition. The toxic product generation during flaming combustion of polyurethane foams is reviewed, in order to relate the yields of toxic products and the overall fire toxicity to the fire conditions. The methods of assessment of fire toxicity are outlined in order to understand how the fire toxicity of polyurethane foams may be quantified. In particular, the ventilation condition has a critical effect on the yield of the two major asphyxiants, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanid

Selenium content of Finnish oats in 1997-1999: effect of cultivars and cultivation techniques

Se-supplemented fertilization is the main factor affecting the selenium (Se) contents of cereals in Finland. Soil and climatic conditions determine the activity of selenate added to soils and bioavailability to plants. In the present study the Se contents and its variation in Finnish oats, the differences between oat cultivars and cultivation techniques were examined. The selenium (Se) contents of oats (Avena sativa L.) in Finland were examined during 1997-1999 in 3 types of trial: official variety, organic cultivation variety and organic vs. conventional cultivation trials. Farm samples were also examined. The mean Se contents of oats in official variety trials were 0.110, 0.120 and 0.160 mg kg-1 dry weight (dw) range 0.016-0.460 mg kg-1dw in 1997-1999, respectively. The mean Se contents in farm samples were 0.050 and 0.130 mg kg-1dw in 1998 and 1999, ranging between < 0.010 and 0.330 mg kg-1 dw. Considerable regional and seasonal variations existed. The Se contents of oats were significantly higher in 1999 probably due to the combined effect of not increased fertilizer level (from 6 to 10 mg Se kg-1 fertilizer) and very low precipitation in 1999. The Se contents of oats were significantly lower in organic cultivation, due to the absence of Se-supplemented fertilization. Significant (P < 0.001) cultivar differences were detected in official variety trials. The cultivars Veli and Leila showed higher levels of Se.;Tutkimus oli osa Kaura raaka-aineen laadunohjausjärjestelmä-hanketta, jossa selvitettiin laajasti suomalaisen kauran laatua ja soveltuvuutta elintarvikeja rehukäyttöön. Tavoitteena oli selvittää kauran seleenipitoisuuksia sekä lajikkeen ja luomuviljelyn vaikutusta seleenipitoisuuksiin. Näyteaineisto koostui MTT:n tutkimusasemien ja yhteistyökumppanien kaurakokeiden satonäytteistä sekä seleeniseurantatutkimuksen yhteydessä Kasvintuotannon tarkastuskeskuksesta saaduista tilanäytteistä. Virallisissa lajikekokeissa kauran keskimääräiset seleenipitoisuudet olivat 0,110, 0,120 and 0,160 mg kg-1 kuiva-ainetta vuosina 1997-1999 vaihteluvälin ollessa 0,016-0,460 mg kg-1 kuiva-ainetta. Tilanäytteiden keskimääräiset seleenipitoisuudet olivat 0,050 and 0,130 mg kg-1 kuiva-ainetta vuosina 1998-1999, vaihteluväl

Contents of trichothecenes in oats during official variety, organic cultivation and nitrogen fertilization trials in Finland

Natural toxins, such as mycotoxins, have emerged as a significant factor affecting the safety image of cereal grains as a raw material for the food and feed industry. The aim of the present study was to investigate the contents of trichothecenes in representative samples of oats during official variety, nitrogen fertilization and organic farming trials in Finland, 19971999. Further objectives were to promote industry and commerce by selection of high-quality oat varieties for various applications. The official variety trials conducted at 810 locations were managed following standard protocol. There were 2 types of agronomy trial, the first included comparison of oat cultivars grown in conventional and organic farming systems at 6 locations, and the second used 5 nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha-1) at 2 locations. Regardless of wet cold summer occurring in Finland during 1998, the concentrations of Fusarium toxins were lowest during this 3 year monitoring period. More mycotoxins were produced during the warm, dry summers of 1997 and 1999 than in 1998. In all, 55% of the oat samples in the official variety trials contained deoxynivalenol (DON) within the range of 50 896 µ g kg-1. The differences in DON concentrations between organic and conventional cultivation were small. The results showed also that the use of various nitrogen fertilization levels only slightly affected the trichothecene concentrations. The contents of trichothecenes in Finnish grains appeared to be similar to or lower than those reported earlier in the Northern Hemisphere.;Viljojen luontaiset toksiinit, kuten hometoksiinit, ovattärkeitä raaka-aineen laadun mittareita elintarvike- ja rehuteollisuuden kannalta. Tutkimuksessa määritettiin Fusarium-toksiinit ja trikotekeenit satokausien 1997- 1999 virallisten lajike-, typpilannoitus- ja luomulajikekokeiden kauranäytteistä. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli lisätä tietoa eri kauralajikkeiden kemiallisesta koostumuksesta. Viralliset lajike-, typpilannoitus- ja luomulajikekokeet toteutettiin MTT:n tutkimusasemilla. Virallisten lajikekokeiden tulosten perusteella homemyrkyistä deoksinivalenoli (DON) esiintyi useimmiten suomalaisessa kaurassa vuosina 1997- 1999. Tutkituista näytteistä 55 % sisälsi DON:a < 50- 896 g kg-1. Pienimmät trikotekeenipitoisuudet kolmen tutkimusvuoden aikana määritettiin vuoden 1998 kaurasadosta. Satokausi 1998 oli hyvin sateinen, kostea ja kylmä. Typpilannoituskokeissa käytettiin neljää eri typpitasoa 40, 80, 120 ja 160. Lisäksi vertailuaineistona oli nollataso, jossa lisätyppeä ei käytetty ollenkaan. Tulosten perusteella typpilannoitustaso ei vaikuttanut kauran mykotoksiinipitoisuuksiin vuosina 1997-1999. Suurimmat keskimääräiset DON-pitoisuudet havaittiin vuoden 1999 aineistosta vaihteluvälillä 192-510 g kg-1. Vastaavasti kuin edellä esitetyt tulokset virallisista lajikekokeista ja typpilannoituskokeista osoittivat, deoksinivalenoli oli yleisimmin esiintyvä Fusarium-toksiini myös tavanomaisen ja luomuviljelykokeiden näytteissä. Tutkittu viljelymenetelmä ei vaikuttanut DON-pitoisuuksiin. Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että viljoissa esiintyviä trikotekeenejä on tärkeä tutkia lisää, ja järjestelmä pitoisuuksien seurantaan on luotava. EU:ssa valmisteilla oleva direktiivi tulee määrittämään suurimmat sallitut pitoisuudet deoksinivalenolille, T-2- ja HT-2-toksiinille, tsearalenonille ja fumonisiineille. Viljanäytteiden taustatietojen tunteminen ja niiden vaikutusten analysointi nousee yhä tärkeämmäksi laadun seurannassa. Tämä mahdollistaa nykyistä paremman viljan laadun hallinnan

Contents of trichothecenes in oats during official variety, organic cultivation and nitrogen fertilization trials in Finland

Natural toxins, such as mycotoxins, have emerged as a significant factor affecting the safety image of cereal grains as a raw material for the food and feed industry. The aim of the present study was to investigate the contents of trichothecenes in representative samples of oats during official variety, nitrogen fertilization and organic farming trials in Finland, 19971999. Further objectives were to promote industry and commerce by selection of high-quality oat varieties for various applications. The official variety trials conducted at 810 locations were managed following standard protocol. There were 2 types of agronomy trial, the first included comparison of oat cultivars grown in conventional and organic farming systems at 6 locations, and the second used 5 nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg N ha-1) at 2 locations. Regardless of wet cold summer occurring in Finland during 1998, the concentrations of Fusarium toxins were lowest during this 3 year monitoring period. More mycotoxins were produced during the warm, dry summers of 1997 and 1999 than in 1998. In all, 55% of the oat samples in the official variety trials contained deoxynivalenol (DON) within the range of 50 896 µ g kg-1. The differences in DON concentrations between organic and conventional cultivation were small. The results showed also that the use of various nitrogen fertilization levels only slightly affected the trichothecene concentrations. The contents of trichothecenes in Finnish grains appeared to be similar to or lower than those reported earlier in the Northern Hemisphere.

Selenium content of Finnish oats in 1997-1999: effect of cultivars and cultivation techniques

Se-supplemented fertilization is the main factor affecting the selenium (Se) contents of cereals in Finland. Soil and climatic conditions determine the activity of selenate added to soils and bioavailability to plants. In the present study the Se contents and its variation in Finnish oats, the differences between oat cultivars and cultivation techniques were examined. The selenium (Se) contents of oats (Avena sativa L.) in Finland were examined during 1997-1999 in 3 types of trial: official variety, organic cultivation variety and organic vs. conventional cultivation trials. Farm samples were also examined. The mean Se contents of oats in official variety trials were 0.110, 0.120 and 0.160 mg kg-1 dry weight (dw) range 0.016-0.460 mg kg-1dw in 1997-1999, respectively. The mean Se contents in farm samples were 0.050 and 0.130 mg kg-1dw in 1998 and 1999, ranging between < 0.010 and 0.330 mg kg-1 dw. Considerable regional and seasonal variations existed. The Se contents of oats were significantly higher in 1999 probably due to the combined effect of not increased fertilizer level (from 6 to 10 mg Se kg-1 fertilizer) and very low precipitation in 1999. The Se contents of oats were significantly lower in organic cultivation, due to the absence of Se-supplemented fertilization. Significant (P < 0.001) cultivar differences were detected in official variety trials. The cultivars Veli and Leila showed higher levels of Se.

ß-Glucan contents of groats of different oat cultivars in official variety, in organic cultivation, and in nitrogen fertilization trials in Finland

ß-Glucan is a beneficial chemical compound in the diet of humans by decreasing the levels of serum cholesterol and blood glucose. The ß-glucan contents of oat groats were studied in official variety trials (1997-1999), nitrogen fertilization trials (1997-1999) and organic variety trials (1997-1998) in Finland. Eight cultivars were studied in the organic variety trials. Two of them, cultivars Puhti and Veli, were cultivated also with a conventional method at the same fields. The years 1997 and 1999 were very warm and dry and 1998 very cool and rainy. The effects of year and cultivar on ß-glucan content were significant in all three trial series. The Kolbu oat cultivar had a significantly lower ß- glucan content than other cultivars in all trials. N fertilization did not increase the ß-glucan contents of oats in Finland. The effect of cultivation method (traditional vr organic cultivation) had no significant effect on the ß-glucan content. The year x cultivar interaction significantly affected the ß-glucan contents of oat groats in N fertilization trials. The reaction of different cultivars to weather conditions was different. Kolbu oat cultivar had significantly lower ß-glucan contents in 1998 than in warm years in all three trial series.;Kauran ß-glukaani on terveyttä edistävä ravintokuituyhdiste,joka alentaa veren kolesterolia ja alentaa ja tasaa veren sokeria. Kauran ytimen ß-glukaanipitoisuuden vaihtelua tutkittiin kauran virallisissa lajikekokeissa ja N-lannoituskokeissa vuosina 1997- 1999 sekä luomulajikekokeissa vuosina 1997-1998 useilla lajikkeilla. Luomulajikekokeissa kasvatettiin kahta lajiketta, Puhtia ja Veliä, myös ns. tehokokeissa normaalilla viljelymenetelmällä samoilla lohkoilla luomukokeiden kanssa. Vuodet 1997 ja 1999 olivat kuivia ja lämpimiä, ja vuosi 1998 viileä ja sateinen. Vuosi ja lajike vaikuttivat ß-glukaanipitoisuuteen kaikissa koetyypeissä. Kolbu-lajikkeen ß-glukaanipitoisuus oli pienempi kuin muiden kauralajikkeiden kaikissa kokeissa. Suurimmat ß-glukaanipitoisuudet olivat virallisissa lajikekokeissa Leilalla ja Roopella, luomulajikekokeissa Aarteella, Ytyllä ja Puhdilla sekä N-lannoituskokeissa Aarteella ja Katrilla. Typpilannoitus ei vaikuttanut kauran ß-glukaanipitoisuuteen. Myöskään viljelymenetelmä (perinteinen/luomu) ei vaikuttanut merkitsevästi ß-glukaanipitoisuuteen. Johtopäätöksenä voitiin todeta, että kauran ß-glukaanipitoisuus on voimakkaasti riippuvainen lajikkeesta, vuodesta ja kasvupaikasta. Viljelytapa (perinteinen/ luomu) ja typpilannoitus eivät vaikuttaneet kauran ß-glukanipitoisuuteen