Further survey of the occurrence of Fusarium toxins in wheat grown in southwest Germany

A total of 53, 54, 57, 52 and 60 wheat samples for feed use were collected randomly after the 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 crops, respectively, fro m farms in an area of southwest Germany. Deoxynivalenol (DON), 3- and 15-ac etyldeoxynivalenol (3-, 15-ADON), nivalenol (NIV), HT-2 toxin (HT-2), T-2 t oxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), and fusarenon-X (FUS-X) were determin ed by gas chromatography, combined with mass selective detection (GC-MS), z earalenone (ZEA), alpha- and beta -zearalenol (alpha-beta -ZOL) were determ ined by HPLC. DON was the major toxin, with incidences at 77 to 93 % and me an contents at 167 to 735 mug/kg. In contrast, incidences of ZEA, 3-ADON, N IV, HT-2, and T-2 were at 13 to 37%, 10 to 44%, 15 to 67%, 0 to 11%, and 0 to 12%, respectively, with mean contents in positive samples between 2 and 73 mug/kg, except for 948 mug/kg 3-ADON in samples from 1993. 15-ADON and F US-X were assayed in samples from 1991, 1992 and 1993. 15-ADON was found in 0 to 11% of samples at mean levels less than or equal to 17 mug/kg, DAS, a lpha- and beta -ZOL, and FUS-X were not detected in any sample. Over the ye ars, incidences and levels of toxins remained constant, decreased or increa sed, with most differences between years being slight and insignificant. Th e risk for livestock due to DON, HT-2 and ZEA was estimated based on maximu m tolerated levels recommended for these toxins in some countries.