DON CONTENT IN CZECH CEREALS: A LONG TERM SURVEY

A survey ofFusariummycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereals intended for human consumption was carried out in Czech Republic for eight-year period (2000 – 2007). Wheat and barley samples were collected directly from farmers so as to represent most of regions in Czech Republic. Immunochemical method (ELISA) was used for analyses. 82% of 444 wheat samples and 70% of 481 barley samples were positive for DON content and maximum levels for DON according to Commission Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 were exceeded in 3,6% out of wheat samples and 1,7% out of barley samples. Further the influence of region, variety, average year temperature and sum of precipitation on levels of DON was observed and evaluated.