engleski

Determination of zearalenone in maize samples from Croatia by TLC/HPLC method

Fusarium species are world-spread microfungi which can colonise the maize before harvest. They produce various mycotoxins, including zearalenone (ZEA). This toxin shows utherotrotropic, estrogenic and anabolic properties in domestic animals and there is a possible impact on human health. The objective of this study was to determine frequency of Fusarium species and ZEA in maize (N=30) stored in Croatian households (Koprivnica N=15, Karlovac N=13, Vinkovci N=2). The maize was harvested in 2004 and samples were collected and analysed in 2005. Fusarium sp. (87%) dominated in samples, followed by species of Rhizopus (63%), Mucor, Trichoderma and Penicillium (20%). Extraction and TLC qualitative detection of ZEA were performed using method by Balzer et al. (1). Quantitative determination of ZEA was done using HPLC/UV-VIS method according to Frisvad and Thrane (2) with minor modifications. ZEA was found in 26% of samples in concentration range from 6.03 to 29.43 mg/kg, mean 13.93 mg/kg. Mean concentrations of ZEA in samples from Koprivnica (3/15) and Karlovac (4/15) were 14.65 and 9.62 mg/kg, respectively. One sample from Vinkovci contained 29.03 mg/kg ZEA. In 2006, 30 samples of animal feed were analysed on ZEA content, and this toxin was not detected in any of samples. According to FAO/WHO (2003) ZEA is now regulated in food in 16 European countries, with limits varying from 0.05 to 1 mg/kg. Relatively high concentrations of ZEA found in maize samples from Croatia could be due to favourable environmental conditions for ZEA production, particularly temperature oscillation. In addition, extraction method in a combination with TLC and HPLC/UV-VIS detection of ZEA may be used for naturally contaminated samples. 1. Balzer et al., JAOAC, 61 (1978) 584-585. 2. Frisvad and Thrane, J. Chromatogr. 404 (1987) 195-214.

Fusarium; zearalenon; maize; Croatia; TLC; HPLC

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