1. 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”

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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 ( )
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.

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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