Grain
quality is of the utmost importance, and if it’s not something you’ve been
paying close attention to then you could be putting your supply chain and
reputation at risk
Grains and seeds are highly volatile, and their quality can be influenced by a number of key factors, such as the environment, weather conditions and propagation techniques. Not only this, but grains are also susceptible to moulds during cultivation and storage which can pose as a great risk to quality.
Mycotoxin development
For readers who may not know much about mycotoxins, they are a group of naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi, commonly known as moulds, which are harmful to humans, domestic animals and livestock.
They can develop on grain and seeds during cultivation (Fusarium species) and some types can remain in the soil around infected grains. However, it should be noted that they could also develop during storage (Penicillium species) especially when levels of moisture are heightened.
They can be found in a wide range of foods and feeds, particularly in areas with climates of high temperature and humidity. Mycotoxins can then enter the food or feed chain through contaminated crops, in particular via cereals, but also nuts, beans, spices, dried fruit, oil seeds, coffee and cocoa, poultry meat and kidneys, pig kidneys and pork sausages. Contamination may also occur post-harvest during storage, transport, and processing stages of the food or feed supply chain.
Mycotoxin prevalence and effects
The prevalence of mycotoxins varies significantly across the globe, yet they can be classified into six main groups – aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, zearalenone, ochratoxin and ergot alkaloids. Each of these different groups has different physiological effects on human and animal health.
Typically, they have an immunosuppressant effect, which can lead to a reduced ability to fight disease and infection, but they can also have multiple other side effects. Mycotoxins range in their level of toxicity and can affect humans and animals in different ways depending on the level of exposure and age of the individual. Many can be carcinogenic, so their prevention is of key importance to grain producers. Grain storage has a direct impact upon frequency.
Poor storage conditions or fluctuations in temperature/humidity can increase the risks of mycotoxins developing. Often termed as the ‘invisible enemy’ as in many cases they are not easy to identify with the exception of Ergot Alkaloids, which alters the structure of the grains.
As a result, quality control of grains needs to be completed within a laboratory setting and highlights the importance of frequent grain screening, as not all are visible to the naked eye. Recent research has shown that co-occurrence is becoming more prevalent, meaning that multiple mycotoxins can infect a single grain or batch.
Co-occurrence poses as an additional threat to feed and food producers as they can have a negative synergistic effect on human and animal health. This surge in the co-occurrence of mycotoxins within grains means there has never been a more important time to begin multi-mycotoxin screening, ensuring that grains are not being wrongly approved as free from mycotoxins.
Read the full article, HERE.
Grains and seeds are highly volatile, and their quality can be influenced by a number of key factors, such as the environment, weather conditions and propagation techniques. Not only this, but grains are also susceptible to moulds during cultivation and storage which can pose as a great risk to quality.
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| Evidence Investigator Image credit: Randox |
Mycotoxin development
For readers who may not know much about mycotoxins, they are a group of naturally occurring toxins produced by certain fungi, commonly known as moulds, which are harmful to humans, domestic animals and livestock.
They can develop on grain and seeds during cultivation (Fusarium species) and some types can remain in the soil around infected grains. However, it should be noted that they could also develop during storage (Penicillium species) especially when levels of moisture are heightened.
They can be found in a wide range of foods and feeds, particularly in areas with climates of high temperature and humidity. Mycotoxins can then enter the food or feed chain through contaminated crops, in particular via cereals, but also nuts, beans, spices, dried fruit, oil seeds, coffee and cocoa, poultry meat and kidneys, pig kidneys and pork sausages. Contamination may also occur post-harvest during storage, transport, and processing stages of the food or feed supply chain.
Mycotoxin prevalence and effects
The prevalence of mycotoxins varies significantly across the globe, yet they can be classified into six main groups – aflatoxins, trichothecenes, fumonisins, zearalenone, ochratoxin and ergot alkaloids. Each of these different groups has different physiological effects on human and animal health.
Typically, they have an immunosuppressant effect, which can lead to a reduced ability to fight disease and infection, but they can also have multiple other side effects. Mycotoxins range in their level of toxicity and can affect humans and animals in different ways depending on the level of exposure and age of the individual. Many can be carcinogenic, so their prevention is of key importance to grain producers. Grain storage has a direct impact upon frequency.
Poor storage conditions or fluctuations in temperature/humidity can increase the risks of mycotoxins developing. Often termed as the ‘invisible enemy’ as in many cases they are not easy to identify with the exception of Ergot Alkaloids, which alters the structure of the grains.
As a result, quality control of grains needs to be completed within a laboratory setting and highlights the importance of frequent grain screening, as not all are visible to the naked eye. Recent research has shown that co-occurrence is becoming more prevalent, meaning that multiple mycotoxins can infect a single grain or batch.
Co-occurrence poses as an additional threat to feed and food producers as they can have a negative synergistic effect on human and animal health. This surge in the co-occurrence of mycotoxins within grains means there has never been a more important time to begin multi-mycotoxin screening, ensuring that grains are not being wrongly approved as free from mycotoxins.
Read the full article, HERE.
The Global Miller
This blog is maintained by The Global Miller staff and is supported by the magazine Milling and Grain
which is published by Perendale Publishers Limited.
For additional daily news from milling around the world: global-milling.com
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