Presence of Zearalenone in Cereal Grains and Its Exposure Risk Assessment in Indian Population

AbstractZearalenone (ZEA) is a toxic metabolite ofFusarium genera that frequently contaminates cereal grains. India being a tropical country provides suitable conditions for fungal invasion to the cereals. In the absence of any regulatory limits for ZEA in India, the present study was carried out to analyze the contamination levels of ZEA in different cereal samples consumed by Indian population and its exposure assessment through intake. Out of 117 cereal samples comprising of wheat, rice, corn, and oats, 70 (84%) were found to be positive for ZEA contamination, among which 24 (33%) samples exceeded the permissible limits proposed by European Union when analyzed by high ‐performance liquid chromatography. The positive samples were further validated by Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectroscopy (LC‐MS) analysis. Based on the quantitative estimation of ZEA contamination in cereals and their daily consumption values, the probable daily intake of ZEA was found to be 16.9‐ and 7.9‐fold higher in rice and wheat samples, respectively, than the tolerable daily intake prescribed by European Food Safety Authority. The presence of ZEA at high levels indicates a higher exposure risk for Indian population as wheat and rice are staple foods in India. Thus, there is an immediate need to set the permissible levels of ZEA in India to safeguard the health of 1.34 billion people.Practical ApplicationHigh levels of ZEA contaminated wheat and rice samples suggest that the consumers are at...
Source: Journal of Food Science - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Toxicology & Chemical Food Safety Source Type: research