A Nutritional Survey of Local Barley Populations Based on the Mineral Bioavailability, Fatty Acid Profile, and Geographic Distribution of Fusarium Species and the Mycotoxin Zearalenone (ZEN)

Abstract

Knowledge about the extent of nutrient variability in local barley germplasm is an important prerequisite for efficient crop improvement. The present study is one of the first to assess the potential of Tunisian barley populations (named Testour, Gergis, and Enfidha) as sources of desirable traits for barley improvement and for the prevalence of Fusarium species and the mytoxin zearalenone (ZEN). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences between barley populations for nutrients density. The lowest phytate/zinc molar ratios were observed in Testour and Enfidha populations with 7.23 and 9.97, respectively. However, the bioavailability of iron of most barley populations (95.4%) was inhibited mainly by the high phytate content. Oleic acid (15.2–18.7%), linoleic acid (13.8–16.01%), and palmitoleic acid (4.7–14.2%) were identified as predominant fatty acid constituents in all three barley populations. Based on morphologic and molecular characterization, Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum were the predominant species that infected Testour, Gergis, and Enfidha populations. The concentration of zearalenone ranged between 0 and 140 µg kg−1. The highest levels of zearalenone, 92 μg kg−1 and 60 μg kg−1, were detected in Testour populations that were infected with F. graminearum and F. culmorum, respectively. These relatively low amounts of zearalenone in barley populations can be attributed to the Tunisian climate and the resistance of local genotypes. Testour and Enfidha barley populations could potentially be used to improve breeding programs for biofortification.

Mycotoxin Occurrence in Milk and Durum Wheat Samples from Tunisia Using Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction and Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection

“…Also, barley collected from Enfidha (Sousse) was contaminated by ZEN at levels ranging from 0 to 52 µg/kg with an average of 47 µg/kg. The variation in the mycotoxin distribution between regions and the variations in their reported concentrations in this comparative study may be due to differences in the climate and environmental conditions (temperature and humidity) from humid to arid regions in the field throughout the growing season (Tables 6 and 7), which influence the distribution of infecting fungal species and lead to geographical variation in the species distribution [48,49].…”

Bioenzymatic detoxification of mycotoxins

“…Zearalenone (ZEN) is a toxic compound with a resorcylic acid lactone structure produced by Fusarium fungi ( Figure 3A ). This toxin is present in moldy grains, such as barley, corn, and wheat, and typically results from improper postharvest storage or processing ( Bouajila et al, 2022 ). ZEN is a non-steroidal estrogen mycotoxin that interferes with the endocrine system and exerts toxic effects on the reproductive system of animals.…”

Current review of biodegradation and detoxification strategies for zearalenone contaminated food and feed

“…Among all mycotoxins, Aflatoxins B1, Zearalenone, Ochratoxin A, Patulin, and Trichothecenes have received particular attention due to their severe health outcomes in both humans and animals, which can range from acute to severe and chronic intoxications in both humans and animals (Ahn et al, 2022;Nahle et al, 2022). Bouajila et al (2022) reported that zearalenone contaminate feeds like corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, rice, and other grains have a variety of toxic effects on humans and animals (Jia et al, 2022). Zearalenone (ZEN) is a potent non-steroidal oestrogen mycotoxin biosynthesized 158 via the polyketide pathway and could bind to estrogen receptors, subsequently activating estrogen response elements in animals (Singh & Kumari, 2022;Yli-Mattila et al, 2022).…”