Moniliformin in maize: is there a non-contaminated sample?

Abstract

Emerging Fusarium mycotoxins are gaining increasing scientific interest due to their frequent contamination of food and feed, although toxicity and toxicokinetics data are limited. Moniliformin (MON) is an emerging mycotoxin produced by many Fusarium species (mainly F. subglutinans, F. avenaceum, F. temperatum, F. proliferatum, and F. verticillioides). In addition, one Penicillium species (P. melanoconidium) is also able to produce MON. It is characterized by worldwide distribution and has mainly been detected in cereals, such as maize, wheat, barley and oats, as well as in their derived products. The potential health hazards of MON are cardiotoxicity, haematotoxicity, and respiratory distress, but legal maximum levels have not been regulated for it in food and feed. However, in 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion on the risks to human and animal health related to the presence of MON in food and feed, but the lack of relevant toxicity data prevented a risk assessment. Therefore, the main aim of this study was based on one of the EFSA recommendations, which is to collect more occurrence data on MON in food and feed. Given that maize is an important crop in the Republic of Serbia due to its agricultural and economic contributions, and that the literature data indicates that the highest frequency and concentrations of MON were detected in maize compared to other crops, maize was chosen as the matrix. The analysis of samples collected from the main maize production areas in the Republic of Serbia during the decade showed that it was difficult to find a sample without MON. Furthermore, the results showed that the detected concentration levels of MON in maize samples were influenced by different weather conditions observed during the investigated years. Based on the above stated, it can be concluded that MON is a dominant, non-regulated emerging mycotoxin in maize from the Republic of Serbia. On the other hand, there are limited data from neighbouring countries related to the occurrence of MON in maize collected from different years. Therefore, for a better estimate of the agronomic and weather conditions suitable for MON production, more data on its occurrence in maize grown in European countries is needed. Additional studies are also needed in order to obtain more information on its toxicity and thus enable a comprehensive risk assessment for humans and animals and the justification for the introduction of MON into the Regulation.