Occurrence and Determination of Alternaria Mycotoxins Alternariol, Alternariol Monomethyl Ether, and Tentoxin in Wheat Grains by QuEChERS Method

Abstract

The Alternaria mycotoxins such as alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tentoxin (TEN) are mycotoxins, which can contaminate cereal-based raw materials. Today, wheat is one of the most important crops in temperate zones, and it is in increasing demand in the Western Balkans countries that are urbanizing and industrializing. This research aimed to investigate the occurrence and determine the concentration of Alternaria mycotoxins AOH, AME, and TEN in wheat samples from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Albania, harvested in the year 2020 in the period between 15 June and 15 July. A total of 80 wheat grain samples, 40 from each country, were analyzed by an QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method. From the obtained results, it can be seen that the mean concentration of AOH was 3.3 µg/kg and AME was 2.2 µg/kg in wheat samples from Serbia, while TEN from both Serbia and Albania was under the limit of quantification (<LOQ). The maximum of AOH and AME mycotoxins was recorded only in wheat grain samples collected in the Republic of Serbia (5.3 and 2.3 µg/kg). In conclusion, Alternaria mycotoxins have concentrations above the LOQ, which could be potentially considered a health hazard to both humans and animals.

Mycotoxins from Tomato Pathogenic Alternaria alternata and Their Combined Cytotoxic Effects on Human Cell Lines and Male Albino Rats

“…Symptomatic leaves exhibiting small and sometimes large necrotic black lesions [ 10 ] were collected from seven Egyptian governorates—i.e., Ismailia, Sharkia, Beheira, Kafr El-Shiehk, Fayoum, Menofia, and Kaliobyia—during the 2021–2022 season. Isolation was performed as previously described [ 31 ].…”

“…The small-spored Alternaria species, e.g., A. alternata , A. arborescens , A. tenuissima , A. dumosa , and A. interrupta , have been reported to cause diseases in Solanaceous hosts [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In addition to infecting fruits and vegetables, Alternaria species are also well-known sources of more than 70 toxins that can lead to many human health disorders [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The most prevalent Alternaria toxins are altenuene (ALT), alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA), and tentoxin (TEN), which have been detected in several crops and food products in reasonably measurable amounts [ 1 , 13 , 14 ].…”

The characteristics, occurrence, and toxicological effects of alternariol: a mycotoxin

“…The most studied among Alternaria mycotoxins are the ones with benzopyrone groups which include the two major toxins: AOH and AME (Escrivá et al 2017 ). Alternariol is often found in grains, fruits, and fruit-based food products such as jams and juices (Puvača et al 2022 ). High levels of AOH have also been encountered in legumes, nuts, tomato and oilseed foods (Solhaug et al 2016 ).…”