Fungal contamination and the levels of mycotoxins (DON and OTA) in cereal samples from Poland and East Slovakia

Abstract

The cereal samples were taken immediately after harvest from the selected localities of Poland (45 samples) and East Slovakia (60 samples). Fungal contamination of these samples was investigated and subsequently the presence of two important mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA), was quantitatively examined. Concerning mould contamination, no difference was observed between the samples from Poland and East Slovakia. The highest incidence was observed of Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium genera. However, most of the investigated samples of wheat, rye, and barley contained less than 104 cfu/g. The limit 750 ppb for DON in cereals and their products, recommended by the European Mycotoxin Awareness Network (EMAN), was exceeded only by one wheat sample (4.5%) from Poland, but by seven wheat samples (14.6%) from Slovakia. None cereal sample investigated for OTA exceeded the allowed limit - 5 μg/kg.