Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania

This study aimed to assess post-harvest contamination with mycotoxins in the context of the geographic and agroclimatic conditions in Romania in 2012⁻2015, a period that was characterized by extreme meteorological events and the effects of climate change. The samples were randomly sampled...

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Main Authors: Valeria Gagiu, Elena Mateescu, Ileana Armeanu, Alina Alexandra Dobre, Irina Smeu, Mirela Elena Cucu, Oana Alexandra Oprea, Enuta Iorga, Nastasia Belc
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-12-01
Series:Toxins
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/12/533
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author Valeria Gagiu
Elena Mateescu
Ileana Armeanu
Alina Alexandra Dobre
Irina Smeu
Mirela Elena Cucu
Oana Alexandra Oprea
Enuta Iorga
Nastasia Belc
author_facet Valeria Gagiu
Elena Mateescu
Ileana Armeanu
Alina Alexandra Dobre
Irina Smeu
Mirela Elena Cucu
Oana Alexandra Oprea
Enuta Iorga
Nastasia Belc
author_sort Valeria Gagiu
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to assess post-harvest contamination with mycotoxins in the context of the geographic and agroclimatic conditions in Romania in 2012⁻2015, a period that was characterized by extreme meteorological events and the effects of climate change. The samples were randomly sampled from five agricultural regions of Romania and analyzed for mycotoxins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An SPSS analysis was done to explore correlations between mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol—DON, aflatoxins—AF, ochratoxin A—OTA, zearalenone—ZEA), product types (raw cereal, processed cereal, cereal-based food), geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, agricultural region), and agroclimatic factors (air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture reserve, aridity index, soil type). In the southeast part of the Southern Plain and Dobrogea (Baragan Plain, located at 44⁻45° N, 26⁻27° E), contamination with AF and OTA was higher in raw and processed cereals (maize in silo, silo corn germs) in the dry years (2012 and 2013), and contamination with DON was high in processed cereals (wheat flour type 450) in the rainy year (2014). DON and OTA contamination were significantly correlated with cumulative precipitation in all years, while AF and ZEA contamination were non-significantly correlated with climatic factors and aridity indices. The distribution of mycotoxins by product type and the non-robust correlations between post-harvest mycotoxins and agrometeorological factors could be explained by the use of quality management systems that control cereal at warehouse receptions, performant processing technologies, and the quality of storage spaces of agri-food companies. The Baragan Plain is Romania’s most sensitive area to the predicted climate change in southeast Europe, which may be associated with its increased cereal contamination with AF and OTA.
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spelling doaj.art-416c28a7cb8848ac9d09a96a3a9f59bd2022-12-22T02:53:54ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512018-12-01101253310.3390/toxins10120533toxins10120533Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in RomaniaValeria Gagiu0Elena Mateescu1Ileana Armeanu2Alina Alexandra Dobre3Irina Smeu4Mirela Elena Cucu5Oana Alexandra Oprea6Enuta Iorga7Nastasia Belc8National Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Meteorological Administration (METEO—Romania), 97 Bucuresti‒Ploiesti Street, 1st district, Bucharest 013686, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Meteorological Administration (METEO—Romania), 97 Bucuresti‒Ploiesti Street, 1st district, Bucharest 013686, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources—IBA Bucharest, 5 Baneasa Ancuta Street, 2nd district, Bucharest 020323, RomaniaThis study aimed to assess post-harvest contamination with mycotoxins in the context of the geographic and agroclimatic conditions in Romania in 2012⁻2015, a period that was characterized by extreme meteorological events and the effects of climate change. The samples were randomly sampled from five agricultural regions of Romania and analyzed for mycotoxins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An SPSS analysis was done to explore correlations between mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol—DON, aflatoxins—AF, ochratoxin A—OTA, zearalenone—ZEA), product types (raw cereal, processed cereal, cereal-based food), geographic coordinates (latitude, longitude, agricultural region), and agroclimatic factors (air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture reserve, aridity index, soil type). In the southeast part of the Southern Plain and Dobrogea (Baragan Plain, located at 44⁻45° N, 26⁻27° E), contamination with AF and OTA was higher in raw and processed cereals (maize in silo, silo corn germs) in the dry years (2012 and 2013), and contamination with DON was high in processed cereals (wheat flour type 450) in the rainy year (2014). DON and OTA contamination were significantly correlated with cumulative precipitation in all years, while AF and ZEA contamination were non-significantly correlated with climatic factors and aridity indices. The distribution of mycotoxins by product type and the non-robust correlations between post-harvest mycotoxins and agrometeorological factors could be explained by the use of quality management systems that control cereal at warehouse receptions, performant processing technologies, and the quality of storage spaces of agri-food companies. The Baragan Plain is Romania’s most sensitive area to the predicted climate change in southeast Europe, which may be associated with its increased cereal contamination with AF and OTA.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/12/533Mycotoxinpost-harvestgeographic positionagroclimatic conditionsclimate changeRomaniasoutheast Europe
spellingShingle Valeria Gagiu
Elena Mateescu
Ileana Armeanu
Alina Alexandra Dobre
Irina Smeu
Mirela Elena Cucu
Oana Alexandra Oprea
Enuta Iorga
Nastasia Belc
Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
Toxins
Mycotoxin
post-harvest
geographic position
agroclimatic conditions
climate change
Romania
southeast Europe
title Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
title_full Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
title_fullStr Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
title_full_unstemmed Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
title_short Post-Harvest Contamination with Mycotoxins in the Context of the Geographic and Agroclimatic Conditions in Romania
title_sort post harvest contamination with mycotoxins in the context of the geographic and agroclimatic conditions in romania
topic Mycotoxin
post-harvest
geographic position
agroclimatic conditions
climate change
Romania
southeast Europe
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/10/12/533
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