Mycotoxins in Durum Wheat Grain: Hygienic‐Health Quality of Sicilian Production

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and aflatoxin concentrations in Sicilian durum wheat were determined through ELISA tests. The results highlighted the safety of the grain samples at harvest because deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and aflatoxin levels did not exceed European legal limits. With regard to aflatoxins, reliability of the ELISA test was evaluated, comparing it with HPLC analyses. The comparison of HPLC and ELISA data showed a tendency to overestimate aflatoxin concentrations with respect to chromatographic determinations. The usefulness of ELISA was confirmed as a rapid screening method; however, when contamination levels are close to legal limits, chromatographic analyses are necessary to quantify aflatoxins with greater accuracy and specificity.