Bioautographic Method for Determination of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Grain and Cereal Products

Trichothecene mycotoxins (TM) are closely related metabolites produced by several species of Fusarium, Hyrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichoderma and some other genera of imperfect fungi. Being widespread on goods and feedstuffs these fungi cause serious toxicoses in man and farm animals (fuseriotoxicosis, steohybotryotoxicosis, dendrodochiotoxicosis) and are, therefore, referred to the most dangerous contaminants of grain and cereal products. Nowadays detection of TM in grain and cereal products is carried out mainly by gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry. Research on the trichothecene content is sporadic due to its complexity, and, therefore, information on the case, of grain contamination with TM is scarce. Nevertheless, to prevent toxicosis induced by TM, large scale research is needed to control the level of TM contamination of foods and feedstuffs. Simple and reliable methods are required for this purpose.