T-2 Toxin Occurrence in Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods

Abstract

T-2 toxin is a secondary metabolite mainly produced by fungi belonging to the genus Fusarium, principally by F. sporotrichioides, F. poae, F. equiseti and F. acuminatum which are common contaminants in staple foods of cereal origin such as oats, barley, rice, maize, wheat etc., and different by-products. T-2 toxin belongs to the closely related sesquiterpenoid family of thrichotecenes and is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis. Its main effects are usually observed in the immune system which has strong impact on the health of both humans and animals. Although is one of the most toxic type A trichothecene, T-2 toxin occurrence data is scarce and European Commission (EC) legal limits are not yet available. The objective of the present study was to monitor the occurrence of T-2 toxin in cereals and cereal-based foods marketed in an area of western Romania (Timis and Arad counties), using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. T-2 toxin was present in all analyzed samples (maize, wheat, corn flakes, breakfast cereals, biscuits), with values ranging between 0.8 μg/kg and 23.4µg/kg and median value of 4.9. This study points out also the necessity of a continuous survey of cereals and cereal-based products for T-2 toxin presence and levels, and stresses the need for establishing legislative maximum admitted levels in foods.