Presence of moniliformin in maize

Abstract

Moniliformin (MON) is a widespread emerging mycotoxin, produced by a number of plant pathogenic Fusarium species (mainly F. subglutinans, F. avenaceum, F. temperatum, F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum) and one Penicillium species (P. melanoconidium). Based on the studies conducted in different countries and climatic conditions, MON has mostly been detected in cereal grains and cereal-based food and feed. However, the highest frequency and concentrations of MON were detected in maize and significantly lower concentrations in small-grain cereals (oats, wheat, barley, rye and triticale). The main objective of this study was to investigate the presence and concentrations of MON in maize samples collected in Northern Serbia during a period of four years (2018-2021), and to analyze the influence of weather conditions during the growing period of maize on MON production. The concentration of MON was determined using a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The prevalence of MON was very high in maize samples during all four examined years. MON was detected in 100% of maize samples collected in the period of three years, from 2019 to 2021, and in 99% of maize samples collected during 2018. Therefore, only one sample of the total of examined samples did not contain MON. Furthermore, the highest MON concentrations were detected in samples collected during 2021, which could be explained by the favorable weather conditions for its synthesis. Taking into account the weather conditions and their impact on MON production, it seems that the weather condition parameters such as monthly average air temperatures and the sum of precipitation did not influence MON presence in maize, but influenced the concentrations of MON. The obtained results indicate that the incidence of MON in maize from Serbia has been very high and constant in recent years. However, as the maximum levels have not been regulated for MON in food and feed, there is a need for continuously monitoring of MON presence and more toxicity studies due to its potential health hazard such as cardiotoxicity, respiratory distress and haematotoxicity. For a general conclusion about the impact of weather conditions on the presence and concentrations of MON in maize, long-term monitoring studies are also needed.