Work plan

Research Tasks

• Task 1:Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Crop Production
• Task 2: Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Transport and Storage
• Task 3: Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Processing of Grain
• Task 4: Improved Methodology to Measure Mycotoxin Contamination
• Task 5:Integrated Chain Wide Approach

   

Task 1 Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Crop Production

To establish the present and future possibilities to reduce mycotoxin contamination at the start of the production chain, by means of improved plant resistance and cultural practices.

Various studies on host plant resistance to Fusarium fungi and thereby reduction of mycotoxins are in progress. In wheat there is no absolute resistance available to the main producers of mycotoxins F. graminearum and F. culmorum, but high levels of partial resistance are present in cultivars from China and Brazil. The resistance is effective against all strains of both fungi, which suggests that the resistance is effective throughout Europe. In maize different levels of resistance against F. moniliforme have been identified.

Partners are involved, studying the interaction between plants and pathogens, and the role of toxins in the colonization of kernels by the fungi. Important aspects are host plant resistance, the relationship between fungal aggressiveness and toxin production, and the effect of climatic conditions on infection.

• To investigate aggressiveness by various Fusarium fungi e.g. by using trichothecene deficient mutants of F. graminearum
• To elucidate the role of toxins in the pathogenesis
• To study the literature for possibilities of environmental friendly or biological control of these fungi.
• To identify molecular markers for host plants resistance to get a better understanding of the genetics of resistance
• To develop improved plant breeding techniques to produce new cultivars with high levels of resistance
• To provide input for a practical forecasting scheme to predict the onset of the disease in the field, based on its activities with respect to disease monitoring, epidemiological, diagnosis and control

• Interaction with Task groups 2 and 3 will lead to an improved understanding of how technical possibilities regarding reduction of mycotoxin contamination during crop production can be used in synergy to reduce mycotoxin contamination in the cereal chain
• Interaction with Task group 4 will lead to an improved methodology to measure mycotoxin contamination
• Interaction with Task group 5 will result in an integrated chain wide approach

Task 2 Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Transport and Storage

The objective of this task is to establish the possibilities to control or even to reduce trichothecene and fumonisin contamination of grain during transport and storage.

In general the storage conditions in Europe are of high standard, and will not affect the microflora on the stored products greatly. Therefore, a greater contribution to minimize mycotoxin contamination is expected from improved sampling techniques at the farmer’s gate or in the storehouse, to identify grain batches likely to contain high levels of mycotoxins, and to separate those from batches with no or only low levels of mycotoxins. This requires improved sampling techniques and fast, efficient and not expensive determinations of mycotoxin contents of cereals. Partners involved in this task belong to both research organizations and commercial companies that transport and store cereals.

• To develop ideas about the requirements for bulk sampling
• To study the changes in mycotoxin content during transport and storage
• To study the effect of various storage conditions

• Interaction with Task groups 1 and 3 will result in improved understanding of how the technical possibilities of reduction of mycotoxin contamination during transportation and storage can be used in synergy to reduce mycotoxin contamination in the cereal chain
• Interaction with Task group 4 will lead to an improved methodology to measure mycotoxin contamination
• Interaction with Task group 5 will result in an integrated chain wide approach

Task 3 Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination during Processing of Grain

The objective of this task is to investigate which processing and control technology can be used to prevent trichothecene and fumonisin mycotoxins to occur in food and feed

In general the Fusarium mycotoxins are relatively stable, also during processing. There are some worries that Fusarium mycotoxins even may be transmitted to human food products of animal origin if animals are being fed with contaminated grains, as has been shown to be the case for aflatoxin in milk. The partners in this task represent manufacturers, food science institutions, and regulatory bodies. They will study both food and feed production.

• To study the possibilities of reducing mycotoxin content by processing techniques, heating, chemical treatment and mechanical separation
• To develop adequate sampling techniques during processing to be able to identify batches of half-products which are unfit for human or animal consumption
• The regulatory bodies will assemble the available data for a risk assessment, to be able to propose more realistic limits to the content of trichothecenes and fumonisins in cereal based food and feed products, based on health risks and the possibilities and accuracy of sampling techniques available

• Interaction with Task groups 1 and 2 will result in improved understanding of how the technical possibilities of reduction of mycotoxin contamination during processing can be used in synergy to reduce mycotoxin contamination in the cereal chain
• Interaction with Task group 4 will lead to an improved methodology to measure mycotoxin contamination
• Interaction with Task group 5 will result in an integrated chain wide approach

Task 4 Improved Methodology to Measure Mycotoxin Contamination

The objective of this task is to establish efficient and reliable methods to measure trichothecene and fumonisin contamination at various stages throughout the production chain

It is important to be able to detect and to measure the mycotoxins during the various stages in the production chain. The problem is that mycotoxins usually occur as trace contaminants in concentrations ranging from nanogram (ppb) to microgram (ppm) per gram. Furthermore, Fusarium infected grain is not equally distributed throughout the batch, which is being investigated. This implies that it is very important to carry out representative sampling, and that trace analytical techniques need to be used. For monitoring purposes it is important that the detection and quantification techniques are simple, fast, reliable and not very expensive, and carried out at site.

A further important aspect is that the mycotoxins can pose a danger for the personnel carrying out the analysis as well. Mycotoxins are often not only dangerous when being consumed, but also when inhaled or when skin contact occurs. Therefore laboratory and environmental safety with respect to mycotoxins are of paramount importance, and should form a compulsory part of any methodology to be developed.

• To investigate the right quantities of grain for trichothecene and fumonisin monitoring in more detail
• To develop more robust methods to quickly analyze the grain for practical purposes, preferably immunosorbent assays, or even dipsticks or dot blot techniques, with a high reliability
• To test the application of such identification and quantification sets in their commercial operations

• Interaction with Task groups 1, 2, and 3, since improved detection and quantification methodology will contribute to the studies on the changes in mycotoxin content during crop production, transport and storage, and processing.

Task 5 Integrated Chain Wide Approach

The integration of all the possibilities to control and to reduce mycotoxin contamination in the cereal production chain into a single, chain wide, approach. This will ensure that consumers, both humans and animals, will not run the risk of eating or drinking even low concentrations of trichothecene and/or fumonisin contaminated products.

The knowledge about the possibilities to reduce mycotoxin contents in cereals to safe levels during crop production, transport and storage, and processing, will be used to set guidelines for each of the various stages of the production chain, to which producers, buyers and processors can adhere. Measurements of mycotoxin content, using the detection and quantification methodology developed, could be targeted to those moments which are most at risk for increases in mycotoxin content.

The need for detection and quantification of mycotoxins has to be reduced. Therefore, it will be investigated whether it is acceptable and logistically possible to set up a quality system in which grain samples and grain derived products will be accompanied by an information sheet. In this sheet the degree of mycotoxin contamination as observed during earlier phases of the production chain and a description of the storage and processing conditions since the last, if any, measurement can be documented. This will help to decide for which purpose the product can best be used, and whether (renewed) testing is required. Such an approach is in line with the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) concept.

The partnership in this Concerted Action consists of representatives of the whole production chain. Therefore, it would be in the right position to propose such good entrepreneurial practices to the whole production chain of cereal based food and feed products in Europe. Producers can adhere voluntarily, therefore reducing the need for legislation and official guidelines.

• This task builds on the activities of all other tasks.