Simplifying Wheat Quality Assessment: Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Analysis of Variance Simultaneous Component Analysis to Study Regional and Annual Effects.

Assessing the quality of wheat, one of humanity's most important crops, in a straightforward manner, is essential. In this study, analysis of variance (ANOVA) simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) paired with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used as an easy-to-implement and environmentally friendly tool for this purpose. The capabilities of combining NIRS with ASCA were demonstrated by studying the effects of sampling site and year on the quality of 180 Austrian wheat samples across four sites over 3 years.

Mycotoxin profiles and plumpness of Tritordeum grain after artificial spike inoculation with Fusarium culmorum W.G. Smith.

The responses to artificial spike inoculation with Fusarium culmorum were compared in 11 Tritordeum lines, two durum wheat cultivars and one naked barley cultivar. Inoculation of Tritordeum spikes led to a significant decrease in spike weight, kernel weight per spike, and kernel weight (by 18, 28, and 16 %, respectively). Durum wheat responded most strongly to inoculation, particularly with regard to spike weight and kernel weight per spike (decrease of 42 % and 53 %, respectively).

A 10-year (2014-2023) review of complementary food development in sub-Saharan Africa and the impact on child health.

Complementary foods (CFs) commonly consumed by infants and young children (IYC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are processed using either single or multi-grain ingredients through simple technologies such as fermentation, malting and roasting. Interestingly, CFs (e.g.

Limited Effectiveness of in Preventing the Invasion of Contaminating Molds in Camembert Cheese.

Mold-ripened cheese acquires a distinctive aroma and texture from mold cultures that mature on a fresh cheese wheel. Owing to its high moisture content (a = 0.95) and pliability, soft cheese is prone to contamination.

Co-Occurrence of and Metabolites in Brewing Barley Monitored during Two Consecutive Years (2019-2020).

Known mycotoxins have been investigated for years. They have been included in legislation and are meticulously controlled in most cereals, cereal-related products, and raw materials of animal origin. However, there are still mycotoxins that need to be addressed by regulations and subsequently are not monitored but can still occur in relatively high concentrations.

Quantification of 700 mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites of fungi and plants in grain products.

This work reports on the validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantification of more than 700 mycotoxins and other secondary fungal metabolites and plant toxins in pasta, biscuits, crackers and musli. The "dilute and shoot" approach was found to be fully applicable to these complex matrices, as only 7-14% of the analytes exhibited significant matrix effects while recoveries of the extraction were outside the target range of 70-120% for only 26 compounds. Data on repeatability (based on 7 brands per matrix) and on intermediate precision was compliant to the related < 20% criterion for 95-98% and 99% of all analytes, respectively.

The effect of the interactions of water activity, and temperature on OTA, OTB, and OTα produced by Penicillium verrucosum in a mini silo of natural and inoculated wheat using CO production as fungal activity sentinel.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxin that contaminates grains in storage. Moisture and temperature sensors give delayed responses due to their slow kinetic movement within the silo. This study examines if CO production could predict OTA contamination and identify storage conditions exceeding the maximum limit (5 μg/kg).

The influence of different abiotic conditions on the concentrations of free and conjugated deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in stored wheat.

Environmental factors influence fungal growth and mycotoxin production in stored grains. However, the concentrations of free mycotoxins and their conjugates and how they are impacted by different interacting environment conditions have not been previously examined. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of storage conditions (0.

Mycotoxin contamination in moldy slices of bread is mostly limited to the immediate vicinity of the visible infestation.

Bread is an important staple food that is susceptible to spoilage, making it one of the most wasted foods. To determine the safety of partially moldy bread, five types of bread were inoculated with common mold species. After incubation, the metabolite profile was determined in and under the inoculation spot, as well as at a lateral distance of 3 cm from the moldy spot.

Outbreak of aflatoxicosis in a dairy herd induced depletion in milk yield and high abortion rate in Pakistan.

This case report investigated the outbreak of aflatoxicosis in a dairy herd in Pakistan, which resulted in 30 abortions of 40 confirmed (75%) pregnant cows in a period of 35 days and in 18.8% depression of farm average milk production for the entire herd. The analysis of the concentrate feed of the total mixed ration (TMR), using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedures from two different local laboratories, indicated concentrations of 60 μg/kg dry matter (DM) of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and 100 μg/kg DM of total aflatoxins (AFs: sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2).

Influence of regional and yearly weather patterns on multi-mycotoxin occurrence in Austrian wheat: a liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric and multivariate statistics approach.

Background: Mycotoxin surveys play an essential role in our food safety system. The obtained occurrence data form the basis for the assessment of the exposure of humans and animals to these toxic fungal secondary metabolites. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become the gold standard for mycotoxin determination because it enables selective and sensitive multi-toxin analysis.

Impact of Environmental Conditions on the Concentrations of Trichothecenes, Their Glucosides, and Emerging Toxins in Naturally Contaminated, Irradiated, and Inoculated Oats.

Trichothecenes produced by species are commonly detected in oats. However, the ratios of the concentrations of free trichothecenes and their conjugates and how they are impacted by different interacting environmental conditions are not well documented. This study aims to examine the effect of water activity (0.

Prediction of Deoxynivalenol Contamination in Wheat via Infrared Attenuated Total Reflection Spectroscopy and Multivariate Data Analysis.

The climate crisis further exacerbates the challenges for food production. For instance, the increasingly unpredictable growth of fungal species in the field can lead to an unprecedented high prevalence of several mycotoxins, including the most important toxic secondary metabolite produced by spp., i.

Extention and interlaboratory comparison of an LC-MS/MS multi-class method for the determination of 15 different classes of veterinary drug residues in milk and poultry feed.

An HPLC-MS/MS multi-class method for quantitation of 15 different classes of veterinary drug residues (>140 analytes) in milk and poultry feed was developed and validated. Accuracy criteria for routine laboratories were met for the majority of analytes, > 83 % in milk and between 50 and 60 % in chicken feed, with an apparent recovery of 60-140 %. Extraction efficiency criteria were met for >95 % of the analytes for milk and > 80 % for chicken feed.

Association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Northern regions, Namibia.

Background: Many developing countries, Namibia included, have a high prevalence of malnutrition among children, especially in rural subsistence farming areas where inadequate food supply is common. Poor diets in children under 5 years may result in negative health impacts. This study determined the association of food consumption patterns and nutritional status of children under 5 years from rural households in Oshana and Oshikoto regions in Namibia.

Correction: Penagos-Tabares et al. Mixtures of Mycotoxins, Phytoestrogens, and Other Secondary Metabolites in Whole-Plant Corn Silages and Total Mixed Rations of Dairy Farms in Central and Northern Mexico. 2023, , 153.

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Produces Two HT-2-α-Glucosides on Rice.

is a genus that mostly consists of plant pathogenic fungi which are able to produce a broad range of toxic secondary metabolites. In this study, we focus on a type A trichothecene-producing isolate (15-39) of from Lower Austria. We assessed the secondary metabolite profile and optimized the toxin production conditions on autoclaved rice and found that in addition to large amounts of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, this strain was able to produce HT-2-glucoside.

Comparison Study of Two Fumonisin-Degrading Enzymes for Detoxification in Piglets.

Fumonisins (FBs), particularly fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) produced mainly by and , are common contaminants in animal feed and pose a serious threat to both animal and human health. The use of microbial enzymes to efficiently and specifically convert fumonisins into non-toxic or low-toxic metabolites has emerged as the most promising approach. However, most of the available enzymes have only been evaluated in vitro and lack systematic evaluation in vivo.

Analytical chemistry in front of the curtain!

This feature article discusses the enabling role of analytical chemistry in important fields of research and development such as life science, material sciences and environmental sciences. It comments on the often limited visibility of analytical sciences in the public perception and suggests ways to overcome this shortcoming and to create bigger impact.

Advancing Mycotoxin Detection in Food and Feed: Novel Insights from Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS).

The implementation of low-cost and rapid technologies for the on-site detection of mycotoxin-contaminated crops is a promising solution to address the growing concerns of the agri-food industry. Recently, there have been significant developments in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the direct detection of mycotoxins in food and feed. This review provides an overview of the most recent advancements in the utilization of SERS through the successful fabrication of novel nanostructured materials.

Occurrence of secondary metabolites in milling oats and its de-hulled fractions from harvest years 2017 to 2021.

In this study, secondary metabolites produced by were investigated for their presence in milling oats. For this purpose, pre-cleaned milling oat samples ( = 193), intended for human consumption, out of harvest years 2017 to 2021 originating from different northern European countries were analysed by LC-MS/MS. Alternariol and alternariol methyl ether were positively identified in 38% of the samples with mean values of 2.

Interconnectable 3D-printed sample processing modules for portable mycotoxin screening of intact wheat.

Background: The increasing demand for food and feed products is stretching the capacity of the food value chain to its limits. A key step for ensuring food safety is checking for mycotoxin contamination of wheat. However, this analysis is typically performed by rather complex and expensive chromatographic methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Changes in the nutrient profile and the load of mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and pesticides in horse pastures during spring and summer in Austria.

Pastures are used for grazing and the production of conserved roughage in horses. Yet, the nutritional profile of the forage varies from spring to late summer, affecting equine nutrient supply and health. In addition, environmental factors may also favor plant contaminants such as mycotoxins.