Distribution of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in milling fractions of durum wheat

J Food Prot. 2011 Oct;74(10):1700-7. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-11-149.

Abstract

The effect of processing on mycotoxin content in milling fractions has been investigated in 10 samples of durum wheat contaminated with T-2 and HT-2 toxins at levels ranging from 97 to 5,954 μg/kg (sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins). Either naturally contaminated samples or samples artificially inoculated with Fusarium sporotrichioides under field conditions were used. A method based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with immunoaffinity column cleanup was validated in-house for the simultaneous analysis of both toxins in a variety of matrices, including uncleaned wheat, cleaned wheat, screenings, bran, red dog, fine middlings, and semolina. Mean recoveries from samples spiked with T-2 and HT-2 toxins at levels of 100 μg/kg ranged from 85 to 107%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 14%. The milling process led to an increase of T-2 and HT-2 toxin contents up to 13- and 5-fold in screenings and bran, respectively, compared with occurrence in the uncleaned wheat; however, an overall reduction of T-2 and HT-2 toxins by 54% (RSD, 20%) and 89% (RSD, 3%) was observed in cleaned wheat and in semolina, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Flour / analysis
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food-Processing Industry / methods
  • Food-Processing Industry / standards
  • Humans
  • T-2 Toxin / analogs & derivatives*
  • T-2 Toxin / analysis*
  • Triticum / chemistry*

Substances

  • T-2 Toxin
  • HT-2 toxin