The role of sampling in mycotoxin contamination: An holistic view

Abstract

The need to obtain a representative sample deserves particular consideration since a wrong sampling plan can greatly affect the reliability of the measured levels of mycotoxins. This can even result in legal disputes and barriers to trade. Reported here is an holistic view for an ideal sampling plan, which is based on two consecutive steps: (i) To establish 'why, where and when' sampling has to be performed by assessing the purpose, the appropriate time and the site for collecting the samples; (ii) To establish 'how' to draw samples by assessing practical ad hoc guidelines, considering that, for bulk goods in particular, mycotoxins are not at all homogeneously distributed in a lot. So far, step 1 is not yet covered by specific guidelines while for step 2, European regulations establish the procedures for the sampling of bulk and retail products potentially contaminated by mycotoxins.

Sampling feed for mycotoxins: acquiring knowledge from food

“…Since legal limits for aflatoxins have been established in many countries, through the past several years, focus has mainly been on aflatoxins in food and feed (Whitaker et al, 1994(Whitaker et al, , 1996Gilbert and Vargas, 2003;Macarthur et al, 2006;Whitaker, 2006), not on other mycotoxins, for which there are still not enough -adult ruminants (>4 months) and mink 0 data available (Hart and Schabenberger, 1998;Whitaker et al, 2000). Existing data indicate that ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol are less heterogeneously distributed than aflatoxins, and therefore sampling procedures could be less difficult (Larsen et al, 2004;Miraglia et al, 2005). Obtaining a precise and accurate estimation of mycotoxin content in a commodity bulk lot is fundamental for products intended for food/feed uses.…”

“…Furthermore, due to the ecology of moulds, aspects related to specific matrix/ mycotoxin combination and level of contamination must be considered when planning a sampling protocol. Moreover, screening, monitoring, controlling, exposure studies or targeted purposes may require specific sampling approaches (Miraglia et al, 2005). Therefore, a scientifically based sampling protocol has to consider the variability and heterogeneous distribution of mycotoxins, the specific matrix/mycotoxin combination and the sampling target.…”

“…Since sampling is the critical step in obtaining reliable results on mycotoxin content, the Commission of the European Communities brought together in one single legal act (European Commission, 2006c) the sampling methods and the performance criteria for the methods of analysis to be used for the official control of mycotoxins in foodstuffs. There are significant differences in the distribution of mycotoxins in commodities (Whitaker et al, 1996;Hart and Schabenberger, 1998;Larsen et al, 2004;Whitaker et al, 2004;Miraglia et al, 2005), and Commission Regulation (EC) 401/2006(European Commission, 2006c provides different sampling plans according to the type of food product. All these aspects have a strong impact on animal feeding, due to the awareness that high food quality standards cannot be reached unless such high standards are applied to feed.…”

Dois planos de amostragem para análise de fumonisinas em milho

“…Em recente estudo, ANDERSSON et al (2011) utilizaram dois sistemas de amostragem para detecção de ocratoxina A em cevada e constataram que a amostragem automática, montada posteriormente a uma rosca transportadora, forneceu amostras representativas a partir de um fluxo constante de cevada para detecção de ocratoxina A. Outras alternativas para diminuir a variabilidade dos resultados de contaminação por micotoxinas incluem moer todos os grãos do lote previamente à amostragem, o que aumenta o número de partículas, tornando a distribuição das micotoxinas mais homogênea na massa de alimento, além de aumentar o tamanho da amostra (MIRAGLIA et al, 2005;WHITAKER et al, 2011).…”

Rapid Methods as Analytical Tools for Food and Feed Contaminant Evaluation: Methodological Implications for Mycotoxin Analysis in Cereals

“…In this context, quantitative data are available for foodstuffs, but are still lacking for the majority of feedstuffs. (Miraglia et al, 2005).…”