Aflatoxin B₁ and sterigmatocystin in wheat and wheat products from supermarkets in China

ABSTRACT

Wheat is an important cereal but it is often contaminated with mycotoxins. The natural occurrence of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and sterigmatocystin (STC) was determined in 178 food samples (32 wheat samples and 146 wheat products) purchased from Chinese supermarkets. The methodology was validated, the wheat and wheat products samples were treated with a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From these samples 18.8% of wheat and 8.2% of cracker samples were contaminated with AFB₁. Mean levels were 0.06 µg/kg and 0.05µg/kg, respectively. There was no AFB₁ contamination in white bread or whole meal bread. Meanwhile 53.1% of wheat, 59.2% of crackers, 20.8% of white bread and 16% of whole meal bread samples were contaminated with STC. The mean levels were 0.07, 0.79, 0.12 and 0.12 µg/kg respectively. Although the levels were low, this demonstrates the need for more comprehensive surveys for these two mycotoxins in wheat and wheat products from China.

KEYWORDS:

• Aflatoxin B₁
• sterigmatocystin
• wheat
• wheat products
• China

Acknowledgments

This research has been funded by the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture (NK201501) and Promoting Science and Technology Service Industry Development Planning Project in Guangdong Province of China (2013B040200043).

Disclosure statement

At the time of the study described in this work, the total contract was extended for a two-year period. This report evaluates the presence of aflatoxin B₁ and STC in food from China. None of the authors has a financial interest with manufacturers of food, laboratory supplies and commercial providers of samples related services.

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Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Opening Project of Key Laboratory of Testing and Evaluation for Agro-product Safety and Quality, Ministry of Agriculture [NK201501];Promoting Science and Technology Service Industry Development Planning Project in Guangdong Province of China [2013B040200043];