No abstract

This paper reports a new method for the determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins and their glucosylated derivatives in cereals, and some survey data aimed at obtaining more comprehensive information on the co-occurrence of T-2 and HT-2 toxins and their glucosylated derivatives in naturally contaminated cereal samples. For these purposes, barley samples originating from a Northern Italian area were analysed by LC-HRMS for the presence of T-2, HT-2 and relevant glucosyl derivatives. Quantitative analysis of T-2 and HT-2 glucosides was performed for the first time using a recently made available standard of T-2 glucoside. The glucosyl derivative of HT-2 was detected at levels up to 163 µg kg(-1) in 17 of the 18 analysed unprocessed barley grains, whereas the monoglucosyl derivative of T-2 toxin was detected in only a few samples and at low µg kg(-1) levels. The ratio between glucosylated toxins (sum of T-2 and HT-2 glucosides) and native toxins (sum of T-2 and HT-2) ranged from 2% to 283%. Moreover, taking advantage of the possibility of retrospective analysis of full-scan HRMS chromatograms, samples were also screened for the presence of other type-A trichothecenes, namely neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol and their monoglucosyl derivatives, which were detected at trace levels. A subset of nine different samples was subjected to micro-maltation in order to carry out a preliminary investigation on the fate of T-2, HT-2 and relevant glucosides along the malting process. Mycotoxin reduction from cleaned barley to malt was observed at rates ranging from 4% to 87%.

In this study, the naturally debittered table olives cv Bella di Cerignola were studied in order to (i) characterize their phenolic composition; (ii) evaluate the polyphenols bioaccessibility; (iii) assess their absorption and transport, across Caco2/TC7. LC-MS/MS analysis has confirmed the presence of hydroxytyrosol acetate, caffeoyl-6'-secologanoside, and comselogoside. In vitro bioaccessibility ranged from 7% of luteolin to 100% of tyrosol, highlighting the flavonoids sensitivity to the digestive conditions. The Caco2/TC7 polyphenols accumulation was rapid (60 min) with an efficiency of 0.89%; the overall bioavailability was 1.86% (120 min), with hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol the highest bioavailables, followed by verbascoside and luteolin. In the cells and basolateral side, caffeic and coumaric acids metabolites, probably derived from esterase activities, were detected. In conclusion, the naturally debittered table olives cv Bella di Cerignola can be considered as a source of bioaccessible, absorbable, and bioavailable polyphenols that, for their potential health promoting effect, permit inclusion of table olives as a functional food suitable for a balanced diet.