engleski

Fusarium Fungi and Their Metabolites in Winter Wheat Grains

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major cereal crops and constitutes a major part of the daily human and animal diet. One of the most important risks associated with wheat consumption are mycotoxins, mainly produced by Fusarium species. The most important mycotoxins in wheat are mainly Fusarium toxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), nivalenol (NIV), fumonisins (FUM), T‐2, and HT‐ 2 toxins. Co‐ contaminated samples might exert adverse health effects due to additive/synergistic interactions of the mycotoxins. According to the data quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the current research, all metabolites had lower concentrations in both naturally-infected and Fusarium inoculated samples of more resistant wheat variety Galloper at two examined locations (Osijek and Tovarnik). At natural infection at Osijek, there were no investigated metabolites detected, while favourable weather conditions at Tovarnik enhanced fungal growth and mycotoxin production of DON, culmorin and 15-hydroxyculmorin, even at natural infection in both susceptible and more resistant varieties. DON-3-glucoside (D3G) and NIV were detectable in samples produced in natural infection without usage of fungicide protection only in susceptible variety Golubica. The highest concentration of DON (22800 and 25400 µg kg-1) was recorded in inoculated samples of Golubica at locations Osijek and Tovarnik that 18 and 20 fold exceeded the permitted limit level. Although concentrations of masked or modified mycotoxin, D3G were lower than the concentrations of DON. However, D3G should be taken as dangerous mycotoxin as it can be hydrolysed in the digestive tract of mammals. The so‐called emerging mycotoxin, culmorin, that suppresses DON detoxification and can increase toxicity of DON, was elevated in all inoculated samples, especially in the inoculated sample of Golubica at Osijek (29100 µg kg-1). Both culmorin and 15- hydroxyculmorin were in higher concentrations in inoculated samples thus showing their possible role in Fusarium virulence. Other secondary metabolites such as butenolid, or pigments as aurofusarin, that potentially can have negative effect on human or animal health, were also elevated in inoculated samples. All detected concentrations of ZEN were below legal limits set in EU. Modified and emerging mycotoxins or other Fusarium metabolites are still not regulated by EU legislative where their toxicity should be taken in concern in the future, considering findings that epidemic Fusarium conditions can provoke their production in high concentrations. In conclusion, the most efficient management strategy to mitigate the mycotoxin challenge in wheat is the use of genetic wheat varieties more resistant to Fusarium species. This research was funded by the European Union, who provided the EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, grant number KK.01.1.1.04.0067.

Fusarium ; metabolites ; wheat

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