Deoxynivalenol in cereals in Russia

A survey of the occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) in wheat, rye, barley and maize harvested in 1989-2001 in several regions of Russia has been conducted. A total of 5652 samples of cereals were analysed for DON and ZEN by using TLC and normal-phase HPLC with UV-detector. DON was detected in 69% of 2166 samples from Krasnodar region which is considered to be the major Fusarium endemic region of Russia. The contamination levels ranged from 0.1 till 8.6 ppm, MTEL was exceeded in 37% of these samples. The positive correlation between DON concentration and a percentage of Fusaria-damaged wheat kernels has been shown. DON occurrence and contamination levels were much lower that for wheat. Based on the results of monitoring and the data of average actual consumption of wheat products in Russia, the estimated daily intake of DON per 1 kg of body weight (EDI)was calculated. EDI varied from 0.07 ug in 1990-1991 till 1.40 ug in 1992. Although average EDI were lower than adopted tolerable daily intake (TDI, 3 ug/kg body weight) EDIs for the North-Caucasian region in some cases exceeded TDI.