Mycotoxins in cereals and pulses harvested in Latvia by nanoLC-Orbitrap MS

Food Addit Contam Part B Surveill. 2021 Jun;14(2):115-123. doi: 10.1080/19393210.2021.1892204. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Abstract

Twenty-seven mycotoxins in unprocessed cereals (n = 110) and pulses (n = 23) harvested in Latvia were analysed by nanoflow liquid chromatography combined with Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. One or more mycotoxins were found in 99% of the cereals and 78% of the pulses. Deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and T-2 and HT-2 toxins were prevalent in 9 to 86% of the cereals, mostly below their maximum levels as set by the European regulations. Non-regulated type A and B trichothecenes were prevalent in 5 to 87% of the cereals, at concentrations of 0.27-83 µg kg-1 and 1.7-4,781 µg kg-1, respectively. Quantification of emerging mycotoxins was also provided. Enniatins were detected in 94% of the cereals (3.5-2,073 µg kg-1) and 13% of the pulses (4.4-17 µg kg-1). Alternaria toxins were prevalent in 94% of the cereals at concentrations of 0.72-307 µg kg-1 and in 39% of the pulses at 0.69-10 µg kg-1.

Keywords: Multi-mycotoxin analysis; Orbitrap mass spectrometry; nanoflow liquid chromatography; unprocessed cereals and pulses.

MeSH terms

  • Edible Grain / chemistry
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Latvia
  • Mycotoxins* / analysis
  • Trichothecenes* / analysis

Substances

  • Mycotoxins
  • Trichothecenes