Fusariotoxins content in maize and rice grain harvested in the main regions of cultivation in the Russian Federation

Grain contamination by 4 types of fusariotoxins was studied: by T-2 toxins (T-2), 8-oxotrichotecens of the 4 desoxynivalenol group (DON), zearalenons and fumonisins of the B group (FUM). The samples of maize and rice were chosen in the grain harvested in 2002-2006 on the territory of South, Volga and Central Federal Districts. It was found out that 90-100% samples of maize grain contained the studied toxins. The grain of Central District contained T-2 in an average concentration of 163 microgram/kg (13 from 14 samples), the other ones were found considerably rarely. In Volga District 8 samples from 10 ones contained T-2 (the average concentration was 650 microgram/kg), 7 samples did FUM (the average concentration was 923 microgram/kg). In South District the most frequent contaminants were FUM, in 2003 and 2003 their concentration overrode significantly the threshold value of 5000 microgram/kg. In 2004 and 2005 the FUM frequency remained to be high, but the toxin concentration sharply lowered (the maximum one was 5940 microgram/kg). T-2 frequency reached 52.8% in 2004-2005 against 19.1 and 17.6% in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The average T-2 concentration also had tendencies to grow (microgram/kg): it was 20.6 in 2002, 91.2 in 2003, 193.3 in 2004-2005. In 2003 the threshold value of 100 microgram/kg was overrode for 2 samples from 6 ones, for 7 samples from 19 ones in 2004-2005. The rice grain samples from Primorskij Territory (South District) contained only DON and the ones from Krasnodar Territory (South District) did only T-2. In 2003 T-2 was found to be the only contaminant at a concentration within the threshold value. In 2003 T-2 was found at high concentrations (at the average 840 microgram/kg), often with other toxins. The conclusion was made that T-2 and FUM content had to be controlled at safety estimation of maize grain produced on the Russian Federation territory and the one of T-2 at the cases of rice.