Mycotoxin Research

Publications in this journal

• Article: Einfluss vonMucor racemosus undUlocladium chartarum auf ruminale Fermentationsvorgänge beim Rind (in vitro)

  D Brunklaus, M Höltershinken, C Wulff, P Krause, P Hoffmann, A Höhling, H Scholz
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  ABSTRACT: In einem Pansensimulationsmodell (RUSITEC) sollte eine mögliche Beziehung zwischen den Schimmelpilzen Mucor racemosus und Ulocladium chartarum und der Cerebrocortikalnekrose (CCN) des Rindes überprüft werden. Zunächst wurden M. racemosus bzw. U. chartarum allein und dann in Kombination mit Thiamin zugelegt. Bei beiden Pilzen gleichgerichtet und in ähnlichem Ausmaß waren zwischen Versuchs- und Kontrollfermentern folgende Unterschiede zu beobachten: Gesamtthiamingehalt −11,0% (nur Versuchsphase zwei), flüchtige Fettsäuren −7,5%; Cellulaseaktivität +62,1%; Proteingehalt −16,4% (beide Versuchsphasen). Obwohl M. racemosus und U. chartarum einen deutlichen Einfluss auf die Pansenfermentation besitzen, kommen sie als primäre Ursache für CCN nicht in Betracht. Using the long term rumen simulation technique RUSITEC a possible relationship between Mucor racemosus and Ulocladium chartarum and cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN) in cattle was investigated. In phase one only M. racemosus or U. chartarum and in phase two M. racemosus or U. chartarum in combination with thiamine were tested. The following differences between test groups and controlls could be noted: sVFA −7,5%, cellulase activity +62,1%, protein concentration −16,4%, thiamine −11% (only phase two). Thus, although a clear influence of M. racemosus and U. chartarum on rumen fermentation could be shown, a relation to CCN was not detected.
  Mycotoxin Research 05/2012; 16:183-186.
• Article: Fusarientoxine (DON und ZEA) in Mehl und Brot

  S Schmidt, G Thielert
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  ABSTRACT: Because of their potential health risk the amount of the Fusariumtoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) is an important quality parameter for cereals. With regard to the fact that in the european union limiting values for these Fusarium-toxins are discussed, the analysis of cerealfood from the market makes sense in order to get a realistic image of the load of consumers. Cereals mainly get in human food chain in form of bread and other bakery products. Publications about evaluation of the influence of the breadmaking process (removal or destruction of mycotoxins by fermentation and heating) are rare and sometimes give contrary results. [3, 4] Our food control laboratory started a monitoring program in order to get more informations about the influence of this bread-making process. Therefore bread and the flours the bread made of are taken from bakeries in district of Tübingen (Germany). First results are presented.
  Mycotoxin Research 05/2012; 17:49-52.
• Article: Zytotoxizität der Extrakte von Schimmelpilzen aus feuchtebelasteten Gebäuden

  T Schulz, K Senkpiel, H Ohgke
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  ABSTRACT: Two toxicity tests (pollen tube growth test and methylen blue-assay) were examined regarding their sensitivity towards certain chosen mycotoxins. The IC50 values of the PTGT were in a concentration range between 0,01 μg/ml and 11,18 μg/ml, of the MB-assay in a concentration range between 0,003 μg/ml and 17,91 μg/ml. Both tests can be used to record toxigenic fungal wild strains in mould-infested apartments. Independently from the well-known immunochemical methods or HPLC/GC-MS analysis must be used for an exact determination of the kind and the content of the mycotoxins.
  Mycotoxin Research 05/2012; 17:224-228.
• Article: Deoxynivalenol in lebensmitteln: Ergebnisse einer Pilotstudie

  P Majerus, V Curtui, H Otteneder, E Usleber
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  ABSTRACT: Cereal food products (n=333) were purchased in retail stores from Germany in 2001 and analysed for deoxynivalenol (DON), either by enzyme immunoassay or by HPLC after immunoaffinity chromatographic cleanup. Detection limits were dependent of the sample matrix and varied from 20–100 μg/kg. The overall DON incidence was 53%, with mean and median levels for positives of 251 μg/kg and 142 μg/kg, respectively. The contamination with DON (mean/median value, μg/kg) as found for bread (90/87), wheat flour (161/124), and noodles (472/297) indicate that the levels of DON in cereal foods were significant in view of the tolerable daily intake (1 μg/kg body weight) as established by the European Union scientific committee on food.
  Mycotoxin Research 05/2012; 18:32-34.
• Article: Einfluß von Epicoccum nigrum, Alternaria alternata, Mucor racemosus und Ulocladium chartarum auf die Protozoenpopulation im Pansen des Rindes (in vitro)

  A Höhling, M Höltershinken, P Hoffmann, D Brunklaus, H Scholz
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  ABSTRACT: In einem in-vitro-Pansenmodell (RUSITEC) wurde die Reaktion der Protozoenpoplation auf mit Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, Mucor racemosus bzw. Ulocladium chartarum verschimmeltem Heu jeweils mit und ohne Zusatz von Vitamin B1 überprüft. Dabei wurden drei Protozoenfraktionen untersucht: a) kleine Protozoen mit einem Anteil von 81 – 93% an der Gesamtpopulation, b) mittelgroße Protozoen mit einem Anteil von 6 – 18% an der Gesamtpopulation c) große Protozoen mit einem Anteil von 0 – 3% an der Gesamtpopulation. Die Verwendung von havariertem Futter brachte folgende Ergebnisse: Schadfuttermittel beeinflußte die mittelgroße Protozoenfraktion in unterschiedlichem Ausmaß. Die Zulage von Vitamin B1 zeigte bei Mucor racemosus und Ulocladium chartarum positive Effekte. The influence of moulded hay (Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, Mucor racemosus, Ulocladium chartarum) and the efficiency of Vitamin B1 substitution to cope these effects on rumen protozoa was investigated using the longterm rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) for about 25 days. Moulded hay affected medium-sized protozoa to a different extent (Alternaria alternata: −16 %, Epicoccum nigrum: −27 %, Mucor racemosus: −9 %, Ulocladium chartarum: +2 %). The vitamin B1 substitution had positive effects during the feeding of Mucor racemosus and Ulocladium chartarum.
  Mycotoxin Research 05/2012; 16:179-182.
• Article: Pilotstudie zum Biomonitoring für Ochratoxin A bei Beschäftigten im Getreide-und Rohkaffee-Umschlag

  G. H. Degen, J. Meifort, M. Blaszkewicz
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  ABSTRACT: Handling cargo such as grains and raw coffee beans may result in an inhalation mycotoxin-containing dusts from these commodities. Ochratoxin A (OTA) was analyzed in blood samples obtained from nine cargo workers who handle these commodities at the Hamburg harbour. The OTA plasma levels ranged between 0.14 and 1.04 ng/ml. The mean (0.5±0.3) and median value (0.42 ng/ml) for this sample are slightly higher than those reported previously for the general population in Germany resulting from dietary OTA exposure alone. Our preliminary data point to a possible inhalation exposure, but further investigations are necessary for a definite proof of this exposure. This pilot study is an example of the usefulness of biomonitoring for OTA in occupational contexts.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 21(3):168-171.
• Article: Ochratoxin A Analysen im Blut von Wertstoffsortierern und Deponie-Beschäftigten: Zwischenauswertung

  Y. Lektarau, M. Blaskewicz, G. H. Degen, C. Grüner
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  ABSTRACT: The results support the view that apart from the pathogenic and allergological relevance of microbial emissions from garbage, secondary fungal metabolites, and thus toxicological aspects, deserve further attention.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 18:154-158.
• Article: Einfluss der fermentation von silomais auf die nachweisbarkeit von Deoxynivalenol (DON)

  W. I. F. Richter, M. Schuster, E Rattenberger
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  ABSTRACT: The results of a silage trial with DON contaminated ensiled wheat shows a good fermentation quality and a complete reduction of the DON content in the silage. The ensiling of DON contaminated corn meal shows a strong reduction from the DON content of the fermented corn meal. Also reduced the fermentation of whole plant maize the DON content. The present analytic of DON gives no answer about transformation and metabolism. Therefore more research is necessary in analytical methods and toxicity of DON in silage.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 18:16-19.
• Article: Bildung von Ochratoxin A bei der Lagerung von Triticale nach künstlicher Infektion mitPenicillium verrucosum in Abhängigkeit unterschiedlicher Feuchtegehalte

  WIF Richter, A Baranowski, M Schuster, W Scholz
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  ABSTRACT: Triticale is a frequently cultivated and used in feed rations because of high yields of kernels and straw. Furthermore triticale is cosidered in a culturelandscape program. The storage of triticale and storage conditions become more and more important. In our study Triticale was remoistered to a watercontent of 14, 16, 18, und 19% as well, inoculated withP verrucosum and stored for 28 weeks from november till july in a research granary (tower silo). This experiment should simulate the storage situation in farmscale from cold wintermonths to warm spring times. Every four weeks CO2 was measured, and samples for moisture, OTA- and CT-analysis were taken. At week 20 and a MC of 19 % 22 μg OTA/kg triticale were found. The maximum of OTA-production in this humidity stage was at week 28 with 635 μg/kg. Also at a MC of 18 % OTA could be found with levels near to the detection limit. In contrast to former investigations with oatsP verrucosum produced in triticale no citrinin even when the OTA concentrations were higher than in our investigations.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 17:193-197.
• Article: Nachweis und Vorkommen von Mykophenolsäure und Citrinin in Rotwein

  K Meyer, T Müller, R Dietrich, E Märtlbauer, J Bauer
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  ABSTRACT: Due to infections with moulds already in the vineyards, the formation of mycotoxins is possible under certain circumstances during the process of red wine making. At this, metabolites ofPenicillium spp. are of major importance, as this species are to be found frequently on grapes. Beside the nephrotoxic citrinin, which is often co-occurring with ochratoxin A, the occurrence of mycophenolic acid (MPA), a substance of immunosuppressive action, was investigated since it is formed by a great number of Penicillium-species. The detection of these compounds was carried out by means of ELISA and LC-MS. As testing material 44 red wine samples of different provenience and vintages were used. Mycophenolic acid could be detected in 91 % of the samples. The maximum content amounted to 130 ng/ml, yet most of the samples resulted in much lower concentrations of between 3 and 20 ng/ml. The extent of contamination seems to depend rather on the origin of the wine than on the vintage. In particular samples from Southern Europe were most contaminated. This could be due to different practises in wine-making. Citrinin was not detectable in any sample (< 0,2 ng/ml). Regarding the detected concentrations of MPA and citrinin, there is probably no concern for consumers’ health. However, the degree of contamination of wine with MPA may well serve as an indicator for hygiene in production.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 17:160-164.
• Article: Einfluss der lagerdauer und des feuchtegehaltes auf die bildung von ochratoxin A und citrinin bei körnerleguminosen aus ökologischem und konventionellem anbau

  W. Richter, R. Beck, M. Schuster, K. Kölln
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  ABSTRACT: Influence of storage time and moisture content on the development of ochratoxin A and citrinin in legumes kernel of ecological and conventional provenance Mould growth can cause the occurrence of mycotoxins in grain and legumes. Less information is known for legumes of ecological provenance. For this reason a storage trial was carried out with peas and horse beans, to examine the production of ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CT) in legumes kernel from ecological provenance. For that purpose kernels from legumes were remoistened to different moisture contents (MC, 14%/19%) and stored 24 weeks in a research granary (tower silo). This experiment should simulate the storage situation in farm scale from winter to summer. Every four weeks, the CO2-content was determined and samples taken for the analysis of moisture, OTA and CT. At week 24 and a MC of <18% 1.9 μg OTA/kg of beans and 0.7 μg OTA/kg of peas (conventionally produced) were found.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 22(4):217-221.
• Article: Deoxynivalenol in Lebensmitteln

  V. Curtui, A. Brockmeyer, R. Dietrich, O. Kappenstein, H. Klaffke, J. Lepschy, E. Märtlbauer, E. Schneider, C. Seidler, G. Thielert, E. Usleber, R. Weber, J. Wolff
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  ABSTRACT: Within a joint research project entitled “Analysis and occurrence of importantFusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) and dietary intake of these toxins by the German consumer”, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMVEL), representative analytical data are generated on the contamination level of foods withFusarium mycotoxins. This paper gives a comprehensive summary concerning the contamination of foods from the German market with deoxynivalenol (DON) in the period from August 2001 to April 2004. More than 4700 food samples (mostly cereals and cereal-containing foods) were purchased from food shops in Germany and analysed for DON by enzyme immunoassay, HPLC, and LC-MS/MS, respectively. All analytical methods were validated through intra- and interlaboratory studies and gave mean recoveries of >80% for each matrix. Although DON was detected with high frequency in all cerealcontaining samples, the mean and median levels were in most products well below the recently established maximum permitted limits in Germany.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 21(2):83-88.
• Article: Bestimmung von Deoxynivalenol und Deepoxy-Deoxynivalenol in Milch

  V. Curtui, C. Seidler, E. Schneider, E. Usleber
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  ABSTRACT: A HPLC method with UV/diode array detection for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) and deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) in milk was developed. Milk was incubated with β-glucuronidase and then defatted. After purification by immunoaffinity chromatography, DON and DOM-1 were separated on a C18 reversed phase column with acetonitril/water (10/90) as the mobile phase and detected at 218 nm. Limits of quantification were 1 μg/l for both toxins, with mean recoveries (1–10 μg/l) of 97% (DON) and 84% (DOM-1), respectively. Milk samples (pasteurized, UHT; n=32) from German retail shops were analysed by this method. Neither DON/DOM-1 nor their glucuronides were found in any sample. These results are consistent with published studies indicating that in lactating cows, DON and DOM-1 are mostly eliminated through urine, and that the carry-over into milk is negligible.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 21(1):40-42.
• Article: Morphologische Untersuchungen von Putenherzen nach Aufnahme von Fusarientoxinen durch das Futter

  C. Rosenkranz, J. Böhm, N. Panholzer, R. Leitgeb
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  ABSTRACT: 100 turkey poults (1 day of age) were housed in 16 boxes, each containing 6–7 animals. In each case 4 boxes constituted 4 feeding groups. One was the control group and the other three received a feed containing different quantities of the mycotoxin moniliformin (0.8; 1.6; 2.4 mg/kg) and beauvericin (0.8; 1.7; 2.5 mg/kg). The animals were fed for 12 weeks and then slaughtered. Pieces of the heart were examined by routine histology. The microscopical evaluation showed cell infiltration into the heart muscle and alterations of the heart muscle. However, a relation could be detected between the mycotoxin concentration in the feed and the frequency and the quality of heart alterations.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 19(1):77-81.
• Article: ZONMAIZE: EU-SMT-Project for the production of Certified Reference Materials (CRM) for the determination of zearalenone in maize

  R Krska, R Josephs, H Pettersson, S Mc Donald
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  ABSTRACT: This paper decribes the course of the project “ZONMAIZE” which has been funded by the European Commission within the Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme (SM&T). The project deals with the preparation and certification of both a maize naturally contaminated with zearalenone (ZON) (c=40–120 μg/kg, ZON in maize) and a blank maize material (<5 μg/kg ZON in maize) to improve the quality and comparability, of ZON analysis. In addition, a certified ZON calibrant (in acetonitrile) has been produced and ampouled (cZON=10 μg/l). After pre-analyses, homogenisation, drying and packaging, homogeneity and short time stability tests, two preliminary intercomparison studies and one certification exercise were carried out by a consortium of 27 European laboratories from 11 different European countries.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 17:92-96.
• Article: Gewebsspezifische Veränderungen bei geschlechtsreifen Sauen nach Aufnahme von Zearalenon-hältigem Futter

  S Leitner, A Bucher, J Böhm, C Rosenkranz
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  ABSTRACT: Four groups of 16 cyclic sows were fed with 50, 100, 500 or 1000 μg zearalenone per kg feed for 10 days. Afterwards the genital organs were examined routine histologically and lectinhistochemically. Alterations of the lectin binding pattern of the glandular and surface epithelial cells was seen in all four groups, while the routine histology often showed normal results by the two lower concentrations. Macroscopically detectable organ alterations were seen only in the two groups with the highest concentration steps, but not constantly. Clinical symptoms of hyperestrogenismen were very seldom seen.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 17:37-40.
• Article: Toxikologische Bewertung von Ochratoxin A: Offene Fragen und Forschungsbedarf

  Gisela H. Degen
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  ABSTRACT: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is an important food and feed contaminant with potential adverse effects in humans and animals. In view of present discussions on limit values for OTA in foods, essential elements of a toxicological risk assessment are outlined. The exposure situation in Europe is now well documented. The data base, with respect to a characterization of hazard and dose-response relationships, allowed to calculate a provisional tolerable daily intake for OTA suited to protect the consumer against undesirable toxic effects. Nonetheless, further research on OTA is indicated in view of unresolved issues regarding the following points: 1. mechanisms of action (mode of genotoxicity, role of bioactivation/metabolism, identification of DNA-adducts and dose-dependency); 2. combinations of OTA and other mycotoxins (studies of relevant mixtures/conditions); 3. individual susceptibility and/or situation-based vulnerability. Better information on mechanistic aspects of mycotoxin-induced toxicities will further improve our knowledge on the “margin of safety” between a given exposure and a potential impairment of human health.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 16:117-122.
• Article: Entwicklung eines immunchemischen Schnelltestverfahrens zum Multimykotoxinnachweis

  B Mayer, E Schneider, E Usleber, R Dietrich, C Bürk, E Märtlbauer
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  ABSTRACT: Für den gleichzeitigen Nachweis von sieben Mykotoxinen, Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Fumonisin B1 (FB1), Ochratoxin A (OA), Deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 Toxin (T-2), Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) und Roridin A (RoA), wurde ein immunchemischer Schnelltest (Immunfiltrationstest, flow-through testA) entwickelt. Dazu wurde ein wiederverwendbares Testtablett mit sieben Probenfeldern und einem Kontrollfeld hergestellt. Zur Testdurchführung wurde Probenextraktlösung auf die Probenfelder sowie das Kontrollfeld aufgetropft, gefolgt von Toxin-Enzymkonjugat-Lösung, Waschlösung und Farbentwickler-Lösung. Die Testauswertung erfolgt durch visuellen Vergleich der Farbintensität der Probenfelder mit derjenigen des Kontrollfeldes. Die Nachweisgrenzen für Toxin-Standardlösungen lagen bei 0,5 ng/ml (AFB1), 5 ng/ml (FB1), 5 ng/ml (OA), 500 ng/ml (DON), 10 ng/ml (T-2), 0,5 ng/ml (DAS) bzw. 25 ng/ml (RoA). Nach Untersuchung künstlich kontaminierter Getreideproben, kombiniert mit einer einfachen Extraktionsmethode, wurden folgende Nachweisgrenzen ermittelt: 10 ng/g (AFB1), 50 ng/g (FB1), 50 ng/g (OA), 3500 ng/g (DON), 100 ng/g (T-2), 5 ng/g (DAS) bzw. 250 ng/g (RoA). A rapid immunochemical test system (immunofiltration, flow-through test) was developed for the simultaneous detection of seven mycotoxins, namely aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), fumonisin B1 (FB1), ochratoxin A (OA), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and roridin A (RoA), respectively. A reusable test device, containing seven sample wells and one control well was produced. Sample extract solutions were dropped onto each sample well and the controll well, followed by toxin-enzyme conjugate solution, wash solution and colour delevoper solution. The test results were evaluated by visual comparison of colour intensity of sample wells and control well. The detection limits in buffer solution were at 0.5 ng/ml (AFB1), 5 ng/ml (FB1), 5 ng/ml (OA), 500 ng/ml (DON), 10 ng/ml (T-2), 0.5 ng/ml (DAS), and 25 ng/ml (RoA), respectively. Employing a simple extraction procedure, artificially contaminated cereal samples (wheat, maize) were analysed, with detection limits of 10 ng/g (AFB1), 50 ng/g (FB1), 50 ng/g (OA), 3500 ng/g (DON), 100 ng/g (T-2), 5 ng/g (DAS), and 250 ng/g (RoA), respectively.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 16:227-230.
• Article: Investigation on the “In vitro” degradation of zearalenone in rumen fluid

  A. Macri, M. Schollenberger, W. Drochner, M. Tafaj, M. V. Morar
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  ABSTRACT: Ruminal zearalenone (ZEA) degradation in “in vitro” digestion was examined in different variants using the Hohenheimer Gas Test. First, the mycotoxin degradation was measured using squeezed rumen fluid from solid digesta of the dorsal sack and free rumen fluid from the ventral sack, respectively. Then free rumen, fluid of the ventral sac was used with addition of concentrate and mixtures of concentrate with sun-flower oil and starch, respectively. Within 24 hours ZEA was degraded down to 63% and 49% of the initial concentration when incubated with solid and fluid rumen digesta, respectively. Using additives and rumen fluid concentrate for incubation, concentrate, concentrate with oil and concentrate with starch, respectively, a reduction of ZEA to 46, 56 and 37% of the initial toxin concentration was observed.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 21(1):65-67.
• Article: Effect of ochratoxin A (OTA) on the activity of some enzymes in developing eggs of Ascaris suum

  W Kuzna-Grygiel, L Kolodziejczyk, K Janowicz, K Mazurkiewicz-Zapalowicz, J Grajewski
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  ABSTRACT: The studies focused on the effect of 1-ppm ochratoxin A solution on the activity of some enzymes during successive embryogenesis stages ofAscaris suum. As a result of OTA-affected incubation ofA suum eggs, inhibition of AcP reactions was observed throughout the embryonic development, reduction in of SDH and LDH activity during cleavage and gastrulation, and enhancement of the SDH and LDH activity was found in larvae. Moreover, inhibition of the processes of cleavage, gastrulation and organogenesis was recorded. The observed morphological and metabolic embryo disorders demonstrated teratogenic properties of the studied mycotoxin, and the presence of granules of various sizes in the developing eggs may indicate that OTA penetrated into the eggs.
  Mycotoxin Research 04/2012; 17:137-141.