Study on the degradation of deoxynivalenol in corn and wheat both in the lab and barn by low concentration ozone

Based on the distribution characteristics of deoxynivalenol (DON) in corn and wheat grains, a technology on the degradation of DON with low concentration of ozone has been explored. The results indicated that DON in both corn and wheat grains was mainly distributed in the episperm with a decreasing trend from the outside to the inside of the kernel. Meanwhile, the degradation rates of DON (per 100 g in sample), which was treated with 3 mg/L ozone for 8h in the lab and 96h in the barn, reached about 40% and 50%, respectively, when DON was mainly distributed on the outside of the episperm. The result was slightly lower than that reported in similar literature with 60-100 mg/L ozone treatment. In addition, the treatment of ozone (3 mg/L) hardly affected the original quality indexes of grains and effectively reduced the total fungal count in grains (at least 1 cycle log cfu/g). However, the low content of moisture in raw grains stored in the warehouse would limit the further penetration of ozone and the detoxification effect depending on the distribution of DON in the grains, especially in the episperm. In addition, the results of UPLC-QTOF/MS and NMR analysis indicated that the final degradation product of DON was dimethyl adipate, which was a lower toxic substance. This work had a practical significance for the treatment of grain with over standard vomitoxin in real warehouse. Novelty impact statement Overall, the purpose of this study was to explore a technology, which could be applied practically in barns, for the degradation of DON in grains with low concentration of ozone. Although the low content of moisture in grains stored in the barn would limit the further penetration of ozone, 3 mg/L ozone used in this study still obviously showed potential in inhibition of molds growth in grain pile, thereby reducing the content of DON in grains and its application in barns on the whole. This work had an practical significance for the treatment of grain with over standard vomitoxin in real warehouse.