Presence of mycotoxins in sorghum and intake estimation in Tunisia

Abstract

Sorghum samples (n = 60) from Tunisian markets were analysed for the occurrence of 22 of both traditional and emerging mycotoxins. Samples were extracted with a QuEChERS-like method and mycotoxins were detected by LC-MS/MS. This method was validated and adequate analytical parameters were obtained. All samples had contamination with mycotoxins and several samples had higher contamination levels than European Union legislative limits (MLs). The most frequently found mycotoxins were ENB (100%), OTA (98%), ENA₁ (63%), ENB₁ (56%), BEA (48%), AFB1 (38%) and STG (33%). Mean contaminations were 30.7, 1.93, 33.2, 51.0, 15.4, 1.49 and 20.5 µg kg^–1, respectively. While two samples were contaminated with FB2 and FB3 at mean values of 16.2 and 45.9 µg kg^–1, respectively, one sample was contaminated with AFB2 and ZEA at levels of 0.82 and 45.0 µg kg^–1, respectively. The results were used to estimate the daily intake of mycotoxins through sorghum consumption with regard to normal consumers (low-risk population) and high consumers such as babies (high-risk consumers) who are facing an alarming situation.

Keywords:

• mycotoxins
• sorghum
• intake
• LC-MS/MS

Funding

This study was financially supported by Project Number AGL2010-17024/ALI (Science and Innovation Spanish Ministry). The authors are grateful to the University of Valencia (Spain) for the obtained fellowship within the framework of “Becas para joven investigadores de países en vías de desarrollo 2013” programme.