Toxigenic potential of alternaria species from cereals

Abstract

Toxigenic potential of four and one isolate of A. alternata and A. tenuissima, respectively, on durum wheat cultivar Dušan (Triticum durum L.) and common wheat cultivar Barbee (T. vulgare L.) were tested. Three different wheat / isolate genotype combinations were used for artificial inoculation of grains under laboratory conditions and toxins production. Alternaria toxins alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tentoxin (TEN), tenuazonic acid (TeA) and altenuen (ALT) concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS. Cultivar Barbee proved to be a more suitable substrate for toxin production, whereby AOH, AME and TeA were present in highest concentrations. These results underline the possibility of fungal infection and mycotoxin production by Alternaria species in field and under storage conditions. Further research is needed for official regulation of acceptable levels of Alternaria mycotoxins in food and feed.