T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereals and cereal-based products in South Korea

Abstract

A total of 214 samples, consisting of brown rice, barley, mixed grains, corn, wheat and wheat flour were analysed for T-2 and HT-2 toxins using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Recovery and repeatability were 79.9%–107.5% and 4.9%–14.5% for T-2, and 74.0%–106.1% and 5.0%–17.9% for HT-2, respectively. T-2 toxin was detected in 11 (5.1%) of all samples. The highest incidence was found in corn (21.7%) followed by mixed grains and brown rice. Mean of all samples was 1.5–4.1 µg kg⁻¹, the maximum level being 41.5 µg kg⁻¹ in corn. HT-2 toxin was detected in 126 (58.9%) of all samples, and the mean values were 26.4–59.2 µg kg⁻¹. The estimated daily intakes for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins were 2.56, 3.22, 2.53, 0.03, 0.01 and 2.45 ng (kg bw)⁻¹day⁻¹ in brown rice, barley, mixed grains, corn, wheat and wheat flour, respectively.

Keywords:

• T-2 toxin
• HT-2 toxin
• high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector
• cereals
• brown rice

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant (09072NIFDSE168) from the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation in 2009 and by a grant from the Korea Food Research Institute, Republic of South Korea.