Fungal contamination and the levels of mycotoxins (DON and OTA) in cereal samples from Poland and East Slovakia

Cereal samples were taken immediately after harvest from several localities of Poland (45 samples) and East Slovakia (60 samples) in order to evaluate mould contamination and concentration of two important mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and ochratoxin A (OTA). Concerning mould contamination, there was no difference between the samples from Poland and East Slovakia. The highest incidence was observed for Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium genera. However, most of the investigated samples of wheat, rye, and barley contained less than 104 cfu/g. The limit 750 ppb for DON in cereals and their products, recommended by the European Mycotoxin Awareness Network, was exceeded only in one wheat sample (4.5%) from Poland, but in seven wheat samples (14.6%) from Slovakia. None cereal sample investigated for OTA exceeded the allowed limit (-5 microg/kg).