Deoxynivalenol in wheat, maize, wheat flour and pasta: surveys in Hungary in 2008-2015.

Among Fusarium mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most common contaminant in case of cereals and cereal-based foods in Hungary. In this study, Hungarian wheat (n=305), maize (n=108), wheat flour (n=179) and pasta (n=226) samples were analysed (N=818). The samples were collected during 2008-2015 in Hungary. Applied methods of analysis were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and liquid-chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer. Results were compared and evaluated with Hungarian weather data. Among cereal samples, in 2011, wheat was contaminated with DON (overall average +/- standard deviation was 2159 +/- 2818 mu gkg(-1)), which was above the maximum limit (ML). In case of wheat flour and pasta, no average values above ML were found during 2008-2015, but higher DON contamination could be observed in 2011 as well (wheat flour: 537 +/- 573 mu gkg(-1); pasta: 511 +/- 175 mu gkg(-1)).