Survey of trichothecene mycotoxins in grains and animal feed in Croatia by thin layer chromatography

Trichothecene mycotoxins are common contaminants of cereal grains and animal feed worldwide. The toxins are toxic to both human and animals. The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence of trichothecenes in grains and animal feed in Croatia. Total of 465 samples were collected during the seven-year period (1998–2004) from manufactures and small holders farm storage facilities. The samples were analyzed by thin layer chromatography, which proved to be fast, reliable and inexpensive method. T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol and deoxynivalenol were detected in 16.8%, 27.6% and 41.2%, respectively. The amount of toxins ranged between 0.05 and 3.4 mg/kg. The majority of animal feed samples was poultry feed. Only small number of it contained T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol levels greater than the Croatian regulatory levels for poultry feed. Positive samples were in correlation with evidenced clinical symptoms of toxicosis in poultry. Since trichothecenes are frequently isolated from animal feed and grains in Croatia, they could have significant economic and safety implications in animal production.