Aflatoxins (AFs) and Fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol (DON), in particular) are important Food Safety concerns in cereal commodities. In cereals, problems related to those toxins start at field level, where depending on meteorological conditions and pests, moulds may develop and infect the grains, with the subsequent toxin accumulation. Although several strategies have been implemented for crop protection, still it is not possible to guarantee low mycotoxin levels in our raw materials. Thus, the EU has set maximum permitted levels for mycotoxins in cereals, including raw materials, feed and food products.
In close collaboration with a leading dairy company in Spain, corn and other raw materials like silage and cottonseed will be investigated as possible sources of AFs intake of dairy cattle. In this proposal, we aim to investigate the carry-over of aflatoxin B1 from feed to milk (AFM1), and also of AFM1 from raw milk to heat treated milk, and DON from barley to beer and from wheat flour/bran to bakery products. In the case of DON, not only the parent toxin, but its conjugates (3-acetyl-DON, DON-3-glucoside, epoxy-DON) will be analysed in the processed samples in order to assess the real DON concentration that might be finally bioaccessible. In the case of feeds, not only AFs but other toxins including DON, zearalenone and T-2 toxin will be analysed and their concentration will be correlated with the cattle performance parameters provided by the dairy company; moreover, the potential carry over, if any, of these toxins to milk will be assessed. Regarding the carry-over of DON to bakery products, previous studies carried out in our laboratory showed that in those steps in food processing where high amylase or xylanase activity occurs, a release of DON from the food matrix can occur,
thus leading to higher DON presence in finished products than in raw materials, and this was the starting point for the study of carry-over of DON in bakery products in this project. With the results of the project, a set of recommendations will be issued to the farmers/food industry, regarding the need to adjust the raw materials specifications for mycotoxin levels (always under the levels set in the legislation), depending on the kind of formulation or food product to be obtained.

Transfer of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, and their conjugates from cereals and other food commodities


PI
Alba Macià | Albert Ibarz | Alexandre Escolà | Alvaro Aunós | Ana Pelacho | Antonio Ramos | Aritz Royo-Esnal | Beatriz Serrano | Carlos Cantero | Carlos Rey | Carmina Nogareda | Changfu Zhu | Cristina Chocarro | Daniel Babot | Daniel Plaza Bonilla | Eduard Gregorio López | Encarnació Companys | Gabriel de la Fuente Oliver | Gemma Oms | Gemma Villorbina | Gustavo Slafer | Ignacio Romagosa | Immaculada Recasens | Inmaculada Viñas | Irene López Helguera | Irina Garcia-Ispierto | Isabel Lara | Isabel Odriozola | Jaume Arnó | Jaume Puy | Jesús Avilla | Jesús Peman | Joan Estany | Joan Ramon Rosell | Joaquim Balcells | Joel Torra Farrè | Jonàs Oliva | Jordi Bort Pie | Jordi Eras | Jordi Graell | Jordi Recasens | Jordi Voltas | Jorge Lampurlanes | José Antonio Martínez-Casanovas | Jose Antonio Moreno | Jose Luis Araús | Josep Galceran | Laura Rubió | Lluis Miquel Pla | Lorenzo Fraile | Ludovic Bassie | Luís Serrano | M. Àngels Achon | M. Paz Romero | Mª Concepción Ramos | Ma. Pilar Muñoz | Marc Tor Naudi | Maria Dolors Serret | Maria Luisa López | Marián Moralejo | Matilde Eizaguirre | Mercè Balcells | Mercè Torres | Núria Sala | Olga Martín Belloso | Paquita Santiveri | Paul Christou | Pedro Elez | Ramon Albajes | Ramon Canela | Ricard Sanz | Robert Soliva | Romi Pena | Rosario Fanlo | Roxana Savin | Sònia Marín | Teresa Capell | Vicent Sanchis | Víctor Resco | Víctor Resco de Dios | Xavier Pons
Research
Research group
AgroICT & Precision Agriculture | Agronomy | Animal Breeding | Animal Nutrition and Environment | Applied Mycology | Applied Plant Biotechnology | Bovine Reproduction | Chemistry | Crop Physiology | Crop Protection | Food Bioactive Compounds | Forest Management | Novel Technologies for Food Processing | Plant Phenomics | Postharvest Biology and Technology
Funding
211,150 Euros
Funding body
National Plan (MINECO, Spain)
Type of action
Project reference
Web
2021
2022