Survey of 11 mycotoxins in wheat flour in Hebei province, China

Abstract

A survey of 11 mycotoxins in 348 wheat flour samples marketed in Hebei province of China were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, was carried out. The selected mycotoxins consisted of four aflatoxins (AFs: AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) and seven Fusarium toxins, i.e. deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, zearalenone, Fusarenon-X and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside. Results indicated that most of the wheat samples analysed were contaminated with mycotoxins. Wheat was most susceptible to DON (91.4% contamination), with a mean level of 240 μg kg(-1). On average the probable daily intake (PDI, expressed as µg kg(-1) body weight day(-1)) of mycotoxins was within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI, 2.0 µg kg(-1) of body weight day(-1)) as set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Nevertheless, exposure assessment revealed that the maximum PDI of mycotoxins was 4.06 µg kg(-1) body weight day(-1), which was twice the PMTDI value. Thus, consistent monitoring is recommended, as to keep the contamination level under control.