Principal mycotoxins in wheat flour from the Serbian market: Levels and assessment of the exposure by wheat-based products

The presence of eleven principal mycotoxins from the wheat flour bought in supermarkets in Novi Sad, the capitol of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, was determined. The samples were prepared by simple one-step method and analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with heated-electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC/HESI-MS/MS). Deoxynivalenol (DON) was the predominant mycotoxin for all analyzed samples followed by zearalenone (ZON) and T-2 toxin, with frequency of occurrence: 88.7%, 33.3% and 26.7%, respectively. Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), HT-2 toxin, fumonisins B1 (FB1) as well as B2 (FB2) were below the limit of detection. All the samples complied with current European/Serbian legislation, except one sample that exceeded the DON maximum level of 750 μg/kg. In addition, mycotoxin intakes through consumption of wheat-based products were estimated for average adult consumers based on Serbian market basket and then compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union. The calculated intakes of ZON and T-2 were lower than the respective TDIs. However, intakes of DON were assessed to be close to the level of TDI for adults. This is the first study on the intake assessment for mycotoxins present in the wheat flour through the consumption of wheat-based products on the Serbian market.

► The most prevalent mycotoxins in Serbian wheat flour were DON, ZON and T-2. ► AFs, OTA, HT-2, FB1, as well as FB2 were not detected in any of the samples. ► All the samples complied with current European/Serbian legislation. ► Intakes of ZON and T-2 by daily portion of flour were lower than respective TDIs. ► Intake of DON was assessed to be almost at level of TDI for adults.