Presence and concentrations of the Fusarium-related mycotoxins beauvericin, enniatins and moniliformin in finnish grain samples

Abstract

Fusarium mycotoxins beauvericin, enniatins (A, A1, B, B1) and moniliformin were analysed in 38 Finnish grain samples (14 wheat, 22 barley, one rye, one oats) harvested in 2001–02. The contaminating Fusarium species were identified with the primer-specific polymerase chain reaction as well as with morphological studies. All the studied mycotoxins were found in the samples. Enniatins B and B1 were detected in all samples, and enniatin A, enniatin A1, beauvericin and moniliformin in 74, 95, 95 and 74% of the samples, respectively. There were higher concentrations of the mycotoxins analysed in 2001 compared with 2002. The highest levels of mycotoxins were detected in samples harvested late in the autumn after a long rainy period. Fusarium avenaceum was the most abundant Fusarium species in Finland during both years (0–29.5%) measured as infected kernels. A significant correlation was found between F. avenaceum contamination level and the concentration levels of enniatins B and B1, as well as moniliformin.

Keywords:

• beauvericin
• enniatins
• moniliformin
• liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)
• Fusarium avenaceum

Acknowledgements

The study was supported financially by the National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes). The authors thank laboratory technician Kati Lehti for skilful technical assistance with the mycotoxin analyses and Tiina Ritvanen MSc for help with statistical analyses.