Occurrence of Alternaria and other toxins in cereal grains intended for animal feeding collected in Slovenia

In recent years, the less-studied Alternaria mycotoxins have attracted increasing interest due to the lack of survey data and their ability to cause toxic effects in animals and humans. To fill the gap, the aim of this three-year survey was to investigate the presence and co-occurrence of Alternaria and other mycotoxins in a total of 433 cereal grain samples from Slovenian farms and agricultural cooperatives from 2014 to 2016. Using the multi-mycotoxin method, 14 mycotoxins were determined. In 53% of 433 analysed samples, contamination with at least one mycotoxin was found. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) were present in 32% and 26% of cereal grain samples, respectively, whereas alternariol (AOH), tentoxin (TEN), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3- and 15-AcDON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were present in fewer than 15% of the samples. Ochratoxin A (OTA) was found in one rye sample, while diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), HT-2 and T-2 toxin, and fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2) were not detected. The highest maximum and median concentrations of Alternaria toxins were determined in spelt in 2016 (TeA, 2277 µg/kg and 203 µg/kg, respectively), and those of Fusarium toxins in wheat in 2015 (DON, 4082 µg/kg and 387 µg/kg, respectively). The co-occurrence of two or more mycotoxins was found in 43% of the positive samples. The correlations between Alternaria toxins were very weak but statistically significant (r: 0.15–0.17, p: 0.0042–0.0165). A well-known correlation between Fusarium toxins DON and ZEN was weak and highly significant (r = 0.28, p < 0.0001)

Incidence of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Wheat and Corn from Albania

In this study, aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) were analyzed in grains, specifically wheat and corn, from Albania. To summarize, 71 wheat and 45 corn samples from different growing areas were collected. The multi-toxin analytical procedure involved sample extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The incidence of AF was 18% in the analyzed wheat and 71% in the corn samples. The concentration of AFs was much higher in the corn samples than in the wheat samples. The maximum permitted levels for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and total AFs were not exceeded in the wheat samples, while they were exceeded in 36% of the corn samples. In the wheat samples, the AFB1 concentration varied between 0.2 and 0.4 µg kg−1. However, the highest concentrations in the corn samples were 2057, 2944, and 3550 µg kg−1. OTA was present in only three corn samples and one wheat sample. However, all contaminated samples exceeded the maximum permitted levels. This report reveals the presence of AFs and OTA in grain commodities, specifically wheat and corn, grown in Albania

Mycotoxin decontamination of food

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by several filamentous fungi, which frequently contaminate our food, and can result in human diseases affecting vital systems such as the nervous and immune systems. They can also trigger various forms of cancer. Intensive food production is contributing to incorrect handling, transport and storage of the food, resulting in increased levels of mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxins are structurally very diverse molecules necessitating versatile food decontamination approaches, which are grouped into physical, chemical and biological techniques. In this review, a new and promising approach involving the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma is considered, which may overcome multiple weaknesses associated with the classical methods. In addition to its mycotoxin destruction efficiency, cold atmospheric pressure plasma is cost effective, ecologically neutral and has a negligible effect on the quality of food products following treatment in comparison to classical methods

Vpliv paše jelenjadi (Cervus elaphus L.) na zmanjšanje pridelka in spremembe hranilne vrednosti krme trajnega travinja: izkušnje iz ekološke kmetije v Starem Bregu na Kočevskem

In 2013 and 2014 the effect of red deer grazing (Cervus elaphus) on yield decrease and its changes in forage quality was investigated on the permanent grassland of an organic cattle farm at Stari Breg in the Kočevje region. We performed the standard method of yield loss determination (iron cages) in the period from June to October in three cuts. In the first year of research we determined a 56% yield loss (4.0 t/haof dry matter), and in the second year a 75% yield loss (5.0 t/ha of dry matter). In 2014 the content of crude proteins in the forage was always larger in an unprotected (control) treatment than in a protected treatment, and we annotate this to permanent vegetative sward regrowth due to severe and uncontrolled red deer grazing. On the contrary, the content of crude fiber was higher in the forage that was enclosed in cages (treatment protected). Due to large yield loss at all cuts we also observed a significantly smaller yield of crude proteins, metabolized energy, and NEL in the control treatment. We established that in the studied location that red deer were an important biotic factor that limited productivity on the permanent grassland. This is why it is necessary to find solutions in the future that enable the co-existence of humans (farmers) and wildlife.V letih 2013 in 2014 smo na trajnem travinju ekološke govedorejske kmetije v Starem Bregu na Kočevskem preučevali vpliv paše jelenjadi (Cervus elaphus) na zmanjšanje pridelka in njegove hranilne vrednosti. S standardno metodo določanja zmanjšanja pridelka zaradi paše (železnekletke) smo v obdobju od junija do oktobra izvedli tri košnje in v prvem letu raziskave ugotovili za 56 % manjši pridelek suhe snovi (4 t suhesnovi/ha), v drugem letu pa celo za 75 % manjši pridelek (5 t suhe snovi/ ha). Vsebnost surovih beljakovin je bila v letu 2014 na nezavarovani površini vedno večja kot na zavarovani površini trajnega travinja, kar pripisujemo stalnemu pomlajevanju travne ruše kot posledico obtrgavanja jelenjadi. Nasprotno je bila vsebnost surove vlaknine v povprečju večja v zelinju na zavarovanih mestih. Zaradi velikega zmanjšanja pridelka smo pri vseh treh košnjah na nezavarovanih parcelah ugotovili manjši pridelek surovih beljakovin (P &lt; 0,05), presnovljive energije (P &lt; 0,05) in NEL (P &lt; 0,05). Ugotavljamo, da je jelenjad na preučevani lokaciji pomemben biotični dejavnik omejevanja produktivnosti trajnega travinja, zato bo potrebno v prihodnjih letih poiskati rešitve, ki bodo omogočile sobivanje človeka (kmeta) in divjih živali

Incidence of Fusarium mycotoxins in wheat and maize from Albania

In this study, ten Fusarium toxins were analysed in wheat and maize commodities from Albania. In total, 71 samples of wheat and 45 samples of maize were collected from different producing regions. The analytical procedure consisted of a simple one-step sample extraction followed by the determination of toxins using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Fusarium toxins were found in 23% of the analysed wheat samples and in 78% of maize samples. In maize samples, most often fumonisins B$_1$ (FB1) and B$_2$ (FB2) were found. They were present in 76% of samples. They were detected in all positive samples except in one with concentrations ranging from 59.9 to 16,970 µg/kg. The sum of FB1 and FB2 exceeded the EU maximum permitted level (4000 µg/kg) in 31% of maize samples. In wheat samples, the only detected Fusarium mycotoxin was deoxynivalenol (DON), present in 23% of samples. In one sample with the concentration of 1916 µg/kg, the EU maximum permitted level (1250 µg/kg) was exceeded. This is the first report on the presence of Fusarium toxins in wheat and maize grains cultivated in Albania

STUDY OF TRACE AND ULTRATRACE ELEMENTS IN SILAGE INTENDED FOR CATTLE NUTRITION

Grass silage and maize silage are important sources of trace and ultratrace elements in cattle nutrition. Data regarding the function, metabolism and deposition, content in feed and animal requirements, as well as some parts of risk assessment, are still needed. To study the presence of selected elements (Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, B, Fe, Pb, Li, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, Sr, Sn, Sb, V, Tl, Ti and Zn) in silage, the appropriate analytical procedures for their determination were introduced and validated in our laboratory. After closed-vessel microwave digestion, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyse samples. Grass silage and maize silage samples from three important cattle-producing regions of Slovenia were analysed and statistically evaluated. The selected elements were found in both types of silage in a wide range of concentrations, with the exception of Tl in maize silage, where all results were below the limit of detection. Statistically significant differences were found for 9 elements in grass and maize silage from three different regions and for 23 elements when comparing grass silage and maize silage. The data suggest that cattle fed Slovenian grass silage or maize silages should receive routine mineral supplementation, of which the most important trace elements needed are Cu and Se. Cattle fed Slovenian maize silage also should receive supplementary Zn and Co. Based on research in other countries, though not tested here, an I supplement is advisable too

Randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial of the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on plasma coenzyme Q10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

OBJECTIVE To determine the dose of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) needed to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS 18 dogs with CHF due to MMVD and 12 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, dogs with MMVD were given 50 or 100 mg of water-soluble CoQ10 (ubiquinonetotal daily dose, 100 mg [n = 5] or 200 mg [6]) or a placebo (7), PO, twice a day for 2 weeks in addition to regular cardiac treatment. Plasma CoQ10 concentration was measured in dogs with MMVD before (baseline) and at various time points after supplementation began and in healthy dogs once. Concentrations were compared among and within groups. RESULTS No significant difference in median baseline plasma CoQ10 concentration was detected between healthy dogs and dogs with MMVD. Fold increases in plasma CoQ10 concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 and 3.2 to 6.8 for in- dividual dogs in the 100-mg and 200-mg groups, respectively. The change in plasma CoQ10 concentration after supplementation began was significantly higher than in the placebo group at 4 hours and 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 200-mg group and at 1 and 2 weeks for dogs in the 100-mg group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A daily CoQ10 dose of 200 mg was sufficient to achieve at least a 3-fold increase in plasma CoQ10 concentration and may be used in CoQ10 supple- mentation studies involving dogs with CHF due to MMVD

Alternaria mycotoxins in grains from Albania

The presence of four Alternaria toxins in maize and wheat harvested in 2014 and 2015 in Albania was investigated. In total, 45 samples of maize and 71 samples of wheat were collected from the country’s main producing regions. The presence of alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA) and tentoxin (TTX) was studied by an LC-MS/MS method. The incidence of Alternaria toxins in maize was 45.2% in the year 2014 and 7.1% in 2015, and the contamination rate in wheat was 82.9% in 2014 and 86.1% in 2015. Considering maize and wheat samples together, 65.2 and 64.0% of samples were contaminated by Alternaria toxins in the harvesting years 2014 and 2015, respectively. The occurrence rate was much higher in wheat than in maize, but the concentrations were higher in maize. The highest concentration of total Alternaria toxins in maize was 1,283 μg/kg (mean 243.0 μg/kg, median 110.2 μg/kg), while the maximum concentration in wheat was 175.7 μg/kg (mean 29.9 μg/kg, median 16.5 μg/kg). TeA was the major Alternaria mycotoxin detected. It was found in 70 out of 116 samples (60.3%). Chronic exposure of the adult population in Albania to Alternaria toxins through cereal consumption was assessed by the estimated daily intake (EDI) taking into account daily consumption of wheat and maize of 380 and 4.9 g, respectively. The main contribution to chronic dietary exposure was by TeA originating from wheat, with EDIs of 88.6-94.1 ng/kg body weight (bw) per day in 2014 and 152.7-155.5 ng/kg bw per day in 2015. TTX EDIs were 7.8- 34.0 and 10.6-38.7 ng/kg bw per day in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The contribution of AOH and AME originating from wheat was 0-31.7 ng/kg bw per day. The contribution of Alternaria toxins through maize consumption was significantly lower