FUSARIOTOXINS CONTAMINATION IN CEREALS FOR FEED PRODUCTION IN THE PERIOD 2018–2019

Abstract

The occurrence of zearalenone and deoxinivalenol in feed materials and its concentrations were presented in this survey for 2018–2019 crops harvest. A total number of 177 representative samples of wheat (n=70), barley (n=65) and maize (n=42) collected from different regions of Bulgaria were analyzed by Enzyme–Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The highest zearalenone concentration of 168 μg/kg was detected in maize samples followed by barley of 156.78 μg/kg and 143 μg/kg in wheat samples for 2019 crop. The results obtained in this survey revealed that mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp. are frequent contaminants of feed grains in Bulgaria. The highest concentration of deoxinivalenol detected was 2.86 mg/kg in maize, 2.29 mg/kg in barley, and 0.782 mg/kg in wheat samples, 2019 crop. The reported pollution levels are lower than those referenced in the European regulation. Despite the low levels, the results have shown the need for more comprehensive research on these two mycotoxins in feed materials.