Abstract

HUERTA-TREVINO, Alejandra et al. Occurrence of mycootoxins in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) retailed in the state of Nuevo León, México. Agrociencia [online]. 2016, vol.50, n.7, pp.825-836. ISSN 2521-9766.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by specific filamentous fungi that are common contaminants of agricultural commodities. These compounds are toxic to humans and animals, and they are a health problem worldwide. Mycotoxin-containing feeds can cause serious diseases in farm animals and substantial economic losses. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the occurrence and levels of six mycotoxins in three types of forage at retail in the state of Nuevo León, México. The hypothesis was that all types of forages were contaminated with at least one of the six mycotoxins analyzed. One hundred and twenty samples of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) used for animal consumption were collected from farms and commercial locations in the state of Nuevo León, from June to November 2013, and January 2014. The total concentrations of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin, T-2/ HT-2 toxins, and zearalenone were determined by enzymelinked immunoassays using Neogen Veratox mycotoxin test kits. For data analysis, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used. All forage types contained mycotoxins, although the alfalfa samples showed higher mean levels of aflatoxins (2.77 μg kg-1), deoxinivalenol (470 mg kg-1), ochratoxin (32.7 μg kg-1), T-2/HT-2 toxins (93.7 μg kg-1), and zearalenone (199.6 μg kg-1). Most samples were contaminated with more than two mycotoxins, which could be a risk for animal and human health. These data showed the need to establish appropriate control measures to reduce the risk of feed contamination, particularly when mixtures with forage susceptible to fungal contamination are used for feeding livestock.

Keywords : Mycotoxins; forages; aflatoxin; fumonisin; ochratoxin.

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