Conjugated type a trichothecenes in oat-based products: Occurrence data and estimation of the related risk

Currently, increasing attention is being paid to conjugated mycotoxins in plant-based foods because of their assumed bioavailability and health risks. However, analytical standards for most mycotoxin glycosides are not available and risk assessment processes have not yet been completed because of the lack of occurrence data. Our study presents a method for efficient pre-concentration of type A trichothecene glycosides using immunoaffinity columns, followed by indirect determination after enzymatic hydrolysis. This method was applied to 52 various oat-based products. Analytical determinations of both free and glycosylated mycotoxins were performed by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Free T-2 toxin and T2-monoglucosides were present in 92% and 69% of samples, respectively. Free HT-2 toxin and HT-2monoglucosides were present in 92% of samples and HT-2-diglucosides were detected in 38% of samples. The percentage of HT-2 present in the form of glycosides was up to 56% of the total HT-2 content.

Automated summary

Currently, there is increasing concern regarding the presence of conjugated mycotoxins in plant-based foods, however, the lack of analytical standards and occurrence data has hampered risk assessment processes. We developed a method for efficient pre-concentration of type A trichothecene glycosides, and identified their presence in oat-based products using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The results showed that glycosylated mycotoxins, particularly HT-2, accounted for a significant proportion of total mycotoxin content.