Assessment of changes in the occurrence of Fusarium toxin and ochratoxin A in Poland related to extreme weather phenomena

Background: Mycotoxins ­ substances harmful to humans, are ubiquitous in the environment. Mycotoxins are generated primarily by Penicilium, Aspergillus and Fusarium genus fungi. Their presence is associated with the unavoidable presence of mold fungi in the environment. The presently observed adverse climatic changes could negatively affect agriculture, causing erosion and loss of organic matter from soil, promulgation of pests and plant diseases, including those originating from pathogenic molds, and also migration of certain mold species into new regions, ultimately creating more favorable conditions for generation of mycotoxins. Objective: The purpose of this work was to investigate contamination of cereals in Poland with Fusarium and ochratoxin A. Elucidating a correlation between precipitation levels in the individual Provinces and reported levels of the investigated mycotoxins, referring to the generally available meteorological databases, would result in more efficient planning of sampling processes and focusing further preventive actions associated with establishing sampling plans for the following years. Material and methods: Investigations were performed on cereal and cereal product samples taken by the official foodstuffs inspection staff. Some 100 samples were taken annually in the 2009-2012 period (357 samples in total). Tests were performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Precipitation data were obtained from the Central Office of Statistics, based on data received from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Results: Analysis of the influence of precipitation levels during vegetation period on mycotoxin levels in the investigated foodstuffs was performed by associating each recorded content of deoxynivalenol (n=52, corresponding to 14.6% tested samples), zearalenone (n=30, 8.4%), total T-2 and HT-2 toxins (n=21, 5.9%) and ochratoxin A (n=88, 24.6%) above quantification limit with precipitation levels within the Province from which the sample originated. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone levels show distinct variability corresponding with variability of precipitation levels, well reflecting the reported higher deoxynivalenol and zearalenone levels observed during the rainy years of 2011-2012. Variability in average ochratoxin A levels was not statistically significant. The relatively higher mycotoxin levels in 2009 may result from the heavy rainfall and flooding of 2007-2008. Dependence between the precipitation levels and number of samples showing levels above quantification limit has been also observed for deoxynivalenol. However, a similar analysis made for zearalenone and ochratoxin A does not point to any significant relationship. No data analysis was possible in reference to total T-2 and HT-2 toxins content due to the insufficient number of results available. However, it should be noted that 21% analyzed samples in 2009 contained T-2 and HT-2 levels above the quantification limit, with average of 8.9 µg/kg, whereas in 2010-2012 only one sample of the 263 tested contained contaminants in quantities above the quantification limit. Conclusions: The model used for forecasting presence of mycotoxins in cereals does not allow its practical application during routine generation of official control and monitoring plans on national scale. Notably, tests performed show that exceeding of maximum contamination levels occurred just incidentally, notwithstanding the adverse weather conditions. Further systematic collection of data on mycotoxin contamination of agricultural crops is required for effective continued investigations.

Exposure assessment of infants and young children on selected Fusarium toxins

Background: Mycotoxins belong to substances harmful to human health. They are found mainly in cereal products and their preparations. In particular, infants and young children who consume cereal products, including porridge and gruel, are exposed to these substances. Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the exposure of infants and young children in Poland to micotoxins (ochratoxin A. deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fumonisins B1 and B1, T-2 and HT-2 toxins) derived from cereal products intended for infants and children. Material and methods: Samples of products (302) were taken from all over the country in the following three years (2011, 2012 and 2013). HPLC-MS / MS method was used to determine the test compounds. Results: Using the HPLC-MS / MS method, the assessment of population exposure in Poland to mikototoxins (ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fumonisins B1 and B1, T-2 and HT-2 toxins) derived from cereal products (porridge, gruel) intended for infants and small children. Samples (302) were taken from across the country over the next three years. The exposure values obtained in the average exposure scenario range from 0.2 to 3% compared to the reference toxicological parameters. Considering that in the case of infants and young children, the tested products constitute a quantitatively significant part of the balanced diet of these consumers, and the remaining groups of foodstuffs, including vegetable products. fruit and meat and dairy products do not contribute significant amounts of mycotoxins to the diet can be accepted. that the level of contamination of cereal products does not pose a significant risk to the health of consumers. In the case of high exposure, it did not exceed 10% of the reference values for deoxynivalenol and the sum of fumonisins B1 and B2. These values were assessed as not relevant for the exposure of infants and young children. In contrast, in the case of zearalenone, the high level of exposure corresponded to 36% of the value of tolerable daily intake (TDI), and for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, the value of 48% of tolerable daily intake. In both cases, the contribution of pollutants to the diet was significant, but still remained 2-3 times less than the tolerable daily intake. Given, that cereal products are the main source of these contaminants, it can be estimated that exceeding the TDI value in relation to the total diet of infants and young children is unlikely. Conclusions: The exposure values obtained in the average exposure scenario range from 0.2 to 3% compared to the reference toxicological parameters. In the case of zearalenone, the high level of exposure corresponded to 36% of the TDI value. and for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, 48% TDI. The contribution of pollutants to the diet in both cases was significant. however, it still remained 2-3 times less than the tolerable daily intake. Considering, that cereal products are the main source of these pollutants can be assessed. that exceeding the TDI value for the total diet of infants and young children is unlikely.

Total and inorganic arsenic in fish, seafood and seaweeds--exposure assessment.

BACKGROUND: According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), fish, seafood and seaweeds are foodstuffs that significantly contribute to dietary arsenic intake. With the exception of some algal species, the dominant compounds of arsenic in such food products are the less toxic organic forms. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and EFSA recommend that speciation studies be performed to determine the different chemical forms in which arsenic is present in food due to the differences in their toxicity. Knowing such compositions can thus enable a complete exposure assessment to be made. OBJECTIVES: Determination of total and inorganic arsenic contents in fish, their products, seafood and seaweeds present on the Polish market. This was then followed by an exposure assessment of consumers to inorganic arsenic in these foodstuffs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total and inorganic arsenic was determined in 55 samples of fish, their products, seafood as well as seaweeds available on the market. The analytical method was hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS), after dry ashing of samples and reduction of arsenic to arsenic hydride using sodium borohydride. In order to isolate only the inorganic forms of arsenic prior to mineralisation, samples were subjected to concentrated HCl hydrolysis, followed by reduction with hydrobromic acid and hydrazine sulphate after which triple chloroform extractions and triple 1M HCl re-extractions were performed. Exposure of adults was estimated in relation to the Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL0.5) as set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) that resulted in a 0.5% increase in lung cancer (3.0 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day). RESULTS: Mean total arsenic content from all investigated fish samples was 0.46 mg/kg (90th percentile 0.94 mg/kg), whilst the inorganic arsenic content never exceeded the detection limit of the analytical method used (0.025 mg/kg). In fish products, mean total arsenic concentration was 1.48 mg/kg (90th percentile: 2.42 mg/kg), whilst in seafood they were 0.87 mg/ kg (90th percentile: 2.23 mg/kg), for inorganic arsenic contamination at the 90th percentile was 0.043 mg/kg with most results however being less than 0.025 mg/kg. The highest inorganic arsenic levels were determined in the Hijiki algal species samples (102.7 mg/kg), whereas the other algal samples gave a mean inorganic concentration of 0.41 mg/kg (90th percentile 0.86 mg/kg). The estimated average adults exposure to inorganic arsenic in fish, seafood and seaweeds was less than 0.5% of the lowest BMDL0.5 dose. Only for the Hijiki seaweed it was at 4.9% BMDL0.5. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that dietary arsenic intake from fish, seafood and seaweed along with all their products do not constitute a significant health threat to consumers apart from the seaweed species Hizikia fusiformis in which over 40% of all the inorganic arsenic compounds were found.

[Studies and safety evaluation of aflatoxins in herbal plants]. / Badania i ocena bezpieczenstwa surowcow zielarskich w zakresie zanieczyszczenia aflatoksynami.

Herbs and herbal products are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to test herbal plants for contamination with aflatoxins (AF), genotoxic, cancerogenic and hepatotoxic compounds which can cause immunotoxic and allergic effects as well as growth disorders. Aflatoxins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post column derivatization involving bromination with pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PBPB). Extracts was cleaned-up by immunoaffinity columns (IAC). The contents of aflatoxins B, B, G, and G, in more than 500 herbal plants samples mainly from Eastern Poland were investigated. Samples were supplied by manufacturers (herbal facilities) in 2006-2010 years. In all the evaluated samples the levels of aflatoxins above the detection limits of methods applied were not observed: for AF B1--0.2 microg/kg; AF B2--0.03 microg/kg; AF G1--0.3 microg/kg; AF G2--0.03 microg/kg (PN-EN 14123) and for AF B1--0.15 microg/kg (Ph. Eur.6, 2008:2.8.18). All the herbal plants tested for contamination with aflatoxins should be considered safe, which indicates that manufacturers used good manufacturing practices during drying and storage of raw materials.

[Monitoring programs realized by the State Sanitary Inspection concerning the contamination of selected foodstuffs by mycotoxins]. / Programy monitoringowe realizowane przez Panstwowa Inspekcje Sanitarna w zakresie zanieczyszczenia wybranych srodkow spozywczych mikotoksynami.

National monitoring plans, concerning mycotoxins levels in foodstuffs of plant origin in Poland are showed. The official control program for contaminates in food, including mycotoxins, is created by Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, on the basis of the draft prepared in National Institute of Hygiene and approved by Chief Sanitary Inspector. Results of monitoring programme for domestic market: aflatoxins in selected foodstuffs, mycotoxins in baby food and Fusarium toxin in baby food and maize-based foodstuffs, in years 2004-2006 were presented.

[Monitoring programme of T-2 and HT-2 toxins level in cereal products]. / Badania monitoringowe w zakresie oznaczania poziomu toksyn T-2 i HT-2 w przetworach zbozowych.

In framework of the national monitoring program in Poland HPLC method for determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereal products was developed, validated and accredited. Simply, one-step extraction and HPLC MS/MS ESI+ method was used for determination both toxins. Performance of method (recovery, precision and uncertainty of results) is in line with Commission Regulation No 401/2006. Limit of detection for T-2 and HT-2 toxins is 3 ad 4 microg/kg, respectively. Samples were taken by sanitary inspection from all region of country. 107 samples cereal products (mainly from oats) were tested. T-2 and HT-2 toxins were detected in 43% samples, mean level in oats products was 22.5 microg/kg (maximum level 109 microg/kg in oat flakes), in other samples (wheat and barley flakes, grouts, flours) - 7.0 microg/kg. Intake of T-2/HT-2 toxin by the consumer in Poland is much lower than the TDI.

[European Union legislation related to patulin]. / Nowe przepisy Unii Europejskiej w zakresie patuliny.

In the following review, European Union legislation concerning maximum level of patulin in foodstuffs was reported. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003 of 11 August 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001, Commission Directive 2003/78/EC of 11 August 2003 laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of patulin in foodstuffs and Commission Recommendation of 11 August 2003 on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages as regards patulin was reported.