Since humans began cultivating crops and storing crops from one season to the next, mycotoxins have been a source of diseases and even death. Some instances of illnesses caused by mycotoxins, have been known for more than 2000 years. Still, the understanding that some fungal metabolites, now known as mycotoxins, being responsible for human and animal health, was not well established until the 1950s, and research was only commenced in the 1960s following the death of more than 100,000 young turkeys in the UK.
Since then, increased research has led to more regulations on the subject, and FOSS has pioneered developing an automated mycotoxin testing solution. Speaking with mycotoxin specialist, Daniela Vega, she explains how the risk of mycotoxins is relevant all over the world. During her research, she has seen how mycotoxins in crops can lead to economic losses and severe health consequences.
"During field trips, I have visited producers affected by the consequences of mycotoxins in terms of health for humans and animals and economic loss in livestock. One example, I have observed is lesions in chicken due to high mycotoxin contaminations accumulating in the body. By performing regular testing and analysis, you can identify the harmful substances and allow timely intervention.”
Daniela explains: "Mycotoxin contamination is complex, and you cannot always see or smell it. I have visited producers who were sure of having mycotoxins and discovered that the black spots were not harmful. On the other hand, I have been testing grain that looked and smelled normal, only to discover that the level of mycotoxin was very, very high. In this way, it is hazardous to assume the level of contamination by the look and smell. Only when testing you can determine mycotoxin contamination."
"This is like finding a needle hidden in 300 haystacks"
When facing damaging mycotoxins, the concentration is deficient. Various organizations set limits on mycotoxin levels in food and feed products. The European Commission establishes strict regulations, such as a maximum of 2 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 in various commodities, including nuts and cereals. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends action levels, for example, 20 µg/kg for aflatoxins in corn and peanut products. Other regions have their own guidelines. The Codex Alimentariusotoxins, a joint initiative of the FAO and WHO, provides international food standards. For example, it states that ochratoxin A should not exceed 5 µg/kg in cocoa products. Compliance is essential for global trade and consumer safety.
"This is like finding a needle hidden in 300 haystacks. And even though authorities have strict regulations, we see products being taken off the shelf due to high contamination levels. Not long ago, a whole batch of popcorn was removed from supermarket shelves in Denmark due to a high level of contamination, and this is bad, not only in terms of initial economic losses for the producer, but also long-term brand value," Daniela explains.
Groundbreaking solution for Mycotoxin testing
Traditional measuring methods are often limiting and very time-consuming. Daniela explains how, in her previous experience, she spent days preparing and testing for mycotoxins. "I would spend whole days preparing and testing samples, one mycotoxin at a time," she says and continues: "With MycoFoss™, everything is automated. It is like a robot that does all the sample preparation for you in one go."
With MycoFoss, you can test up to six mycotoxins simultaneously. Compared to manual methods, it ensures consistent results, reducing the potential for human error and variability in testing. At the same time, the automation provided by MycoFoss streamlines the testing process, allowing operators to complete tasks faster and allocate resources more effectively. Measuring a range of mycotoxins down to two ppb, MycoFoss enables us to meet legal standards and adopt a more ambitious approach to internal standards.
Even though the symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning have been known since ancient times, research in mycotoxins is a relatively new area of study. One of the problems is that mycotoxins are not homogeneously distributed; unlike proteins, they are heterogenous, and if not using the proper sample, they can be challenging to detect. Daniela explains: "They will be like hotspots of one grain contaminated in 200 grains. Like finding a needle in a haystack. Automated mycotoxin testing provides more consistent results and enables the screening of a broader range of mycotoxins.
Unlike traditional methods, which often limit testing to one or two mycotoxins based on specific risk management programs, multitoxin testing allows for the detection of multiple mycotoxins in a single analysis. Automated mycotoxin testing with MycoFoss encourages a broader screening that can shed new light on potential issues for the supply chain, improved overall food and feed safety and efficiency. Daniela explains: "The ability to test up to six different mycotoxins (depending the commodity) in a single test provides important new insights into the true nature of mycotoxin, "she says and explains how MycoFoss is a groundbreaking new solution. “It's a big step forward that can help shed light on the mycotoxin threat around the world. There is still so much we don't know about mycotoxins and how they affect areas worldwide. With this new technology, everyone can quickly and reliably test for some of the most common mycotoxins in one go.”
