A North American Perspective on DON Management in Grains Dr. Andreia Bianchini Food Science and Technology The Food Processing Center University of Nebraska - Lincoln A North American Perspective on DON Management in Grains Considering New Codex Guidelines”

Mycotoxins Fungi associated with production and storage of grains: Fusarium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus Mycotoxins: Secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi Toxic metabolites that cause illness in humans and animals Fungi associated with production and storage of grains in North America include the genera Fusarium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of these filamentous fungi that can cause illness in humans and Animals through absorption, ingestion, or inhalation (2). Since grains, in general, provide an ideal substratum (medium) For mold growth and mycotoxin production, close attention must be paid to their food and feed safety. Additionally, Grains and grain-based products represent one of the major sources of carbohydrates for humans and livestock (3); therefore, their safety is of primary concern. The prevalence of mycotoxins in grains

Health Effects of Mycotoxins Acute exposure Vomiting/Gastrointestinal diseases Liver, kidney damage Death Chronic exposure to insidious low-levels Growth retardation and lack of weight gain Impaired immunity Tumor formation

Deoxynivalenol O CH3 OH H CH2 Produced by F. graminearum and F. culmorum One of a broad group of mycotoxins known as trichothecenes Found in diseased grain (i.e. corn, wheat, barley) Also found in rye, oats and rice O CH3 OH H CH2

Deoxynivalenol F. graminearum: Fusarium head blight in wheat and barley Ear rot in corn Disease leads to DON contamination

Deoxynivalenol Inhibits the synthesis of proteins and DNA Interferes with metabolic cellular activities Leads to cell death Immune and gastrointestinal systems are the most affected Typical clinical signs Lack of appetite Vomiting, diarrhea Gastrointestinal hemorrhaging Immune system suppression Ataxia To date there is no evidence of occurrence of adverse human health outcomes in North America associated with acute dietary intake of DON. Current global regulations, better crop management, improved resistance to FHB and the advancement of milling practices have considerably reduced the number of acute incidences of DON-related illness.

Deoxynivalenol Toxin half-life Rats administered orally with DON Swine 25% excreted in urine within 96 hr 64% excreted in feces within 96 hr Swine Plasma half-life of 3.9 hr No significant retention in tissue

Deoxynivalenol Acute dietary exposure Causes vomiting and feed refusal in swine, dogs, and cats Vomitoxin Causes gastroenteritis with vomiting in humans Nausea, facial rash, throat irritation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, fever, chills Human outbreaks Japan and Korea (1940s-1960s) China (1984-1991) India (1988) To date there is no evidence of occurrence of adverse human health outcomes in North America associated with acute dietary intake of DON. Current global regulations, better crop management, improved resistance to FHB and the advancement of milling practices have considerably reduced the number of acute incidences of DON-related illness.

Safe Ingestions Levels FAO/WHO through JECFA Based on growth defects: Provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 1 ug/kg body weight/day Based on emetic effect: Acute reference dose: 8 ug/kg body weight/day JEFCA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Advisory Levels for Deoxynivalenol To minimize human and animal exposure to DON US-FDA: Maximum DON Product 1 mg/Kg Finished wheat products for human consumption 5 mg/Kg Swine an all animal species, except cattle and poultry. (Not to exceed 20% diet for swine and 40% for other animals) 10 mg/Kg Ruminating beef and feedlot cattle older than 4 months and poultry. (Not to exceed 50% of the diet) JEFCA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Advisory Levels for Deoxynivalenol To minimize human exposure to DON JEFCA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Advisory Levels for Deoxynivalenol To minimize human exposure to DON Commodity/ Product Name Maximum Level (ML; mg/kg) Notes/Remarks Cereal-based foods for infants and young children 0.2 For sampling plan, see Annex. All cereal-based foods intended for infants (up to 12 months) and young children (12 to 35 months) Flour, meal, semolina and flakes derived from wheat, maize or barley 1.0 For sampling plan, see Annex. Cereal grains (wheat, maize and barley) destined for further processing 2.0 “Destined for further processing” means intended to undergo an additional processing/treatment that has proven to reduce levels of DON before being used as an ingredient in foodstuff, otherwise processed or offered for human consumption. Codex members may define the processes that have been shown to reduce levels. JEFCA: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives