Impact of fungal contamination of wheat on grain quality criteria. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Marcus; Horstmann, Stefan; De Colli, Lorenzo; Danaher, Martin; Speer, Karl; Zannini, Emanuele; Arendt, Elke K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cereal science. Volume 69(2016)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Fusarium culmorum -- Wheat quality -- Storage -- Mycotoxins; 3-ADON 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol -- DAS desoxyscirpenol -- DON3G deoxynivalenol-3-glycoside -- EFSA European Food Safety Agency -- Fusarium spp. Fusarium species -- FUS-X fusarenone-X -- MS mass spectrometry -- RP(U)HPLC reverse phase (ultra) high performance liquid chromatography -- SDS sodiumdodecylsulfate -- s/n signal-to-noise-ratio -- USDA United States Data Agency -- UV ultra violet light; Ergosterol (PubChem CID: 247705) -- Deoxynivalenol (PubChem CID: 40024) -- Zearalenone (PubChem CID: 5281576) -- 3-Acetyl deoxynivalenol (PubChem CID: 104759) -- Deoxynivalenol 3-glucoside (PubChem CID: 71312510) -- Gliadin (PubChem CID: 17787981) -- Sucrose (PubChem CID: 3036169) -- Maltose (PubChem CID: 6255) -- Glucose (PubChem CID: 5793) -- Arabinose (PubChem CID: 66308); Grain -- Periodicals; Cereal products -- Periodicals; Céréales -- Périodiques; Produits céréaliers -- Périodiques; Cereal products; Grain; Periodicals; 664.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2016.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-5210

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the spread of minimal, field born Fusarium infections in wheat during storage and the resulting impact on grain quality. Therefore, Fusarium culmorum was chosen as the representative strain. Wheat grains were artificially infected and stored for 6 weeks in a model system. To estimate the fungal growth, the ergosterol content was determined as this correlates with the fungal biomass. Ergosterol levels revealed a rapid spread of the infection during storage conditions. Furthermore, analysis of nine mycotoxins showed that Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone occurred in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limits. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated the penetration of the fungus into the endosperm and showed the degradation of important seed constituents, such as starch and storage proteins. This is mainly due to the increased activity of proteases and amylases by the fungal metabolism. The results of this study show how small levels of field contamination can easily spread during storage and so lead to significant losses in grain quality and present a potential consumer health hazard. Thus, it demonstrates the need to develop efficient methods for crop protection during storage, without compromising the quality. Highlights: Wheat grains, infected with Fusarium culmorum spores were stored in a model system. Substantial increase in fungal biomass was found during storage. Mycotoxins analysed exceeded maximum residue levels. Fungus was found to penetrate into the grain, effecting grain quality parameters. Little field contamination can spread during storage, leading to quality loss.