Dario Ivić

Bio: Dario Ivić is an academic researcher from University of Zagreb. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ochratoxin A & Fusarium. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 45 publications receiving 612 citations.

Fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, zearalenone and ochratoxin A contamination of maize in Croatia.

Abstract: Mycotoxins are products of moulds that frequently contaminate maize. In this study the presence of mycotoxins fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was determined in 49 maize grain samples collected in autumn 2002. The most frequent finding was that of FB1(100%), followed by ZEA (84%) and OTA (39%), while FB2 was found only in three samples. The co-occurrence of two and three mycotoxins was found in 55 and 37% of samples, respectively. The concentrations (mean ± SD) of FB1, ZEA and OTA in positive samples were 459.8 ± 310.7, 3.84 ± 6.68 and 1.47 ± 0.38 µg kg−1, respectively, and the concentrations of FB2 in three positive samples were 68.4, 109.2 and 3084.0 µg kg−1. Although such low concentrations of mycotoxins are not a significant source of exposure in countries with a European diet, a few samples with extreme values indicate that thorough control is needed.

Reduction of Postharvest Decay of Peach and Nectarine Caused by Monilinia laxa Using Hot Water Dipping

Abstract: The effect of hot water dipping (HWD) at 40, 44 and 48 °C for 6 and 12 min on germination of conidia of brown rot fungus (Monilinia laxa) in vitro and the effect of HWD at 48 °C for 6 and 12 min on the fruit quality and development of M. laxa on peach cv. “Roig” and nectarine cv. “Venus” after artificial inoculation in cold storage were studied. Temperature and duration of treatment significantly affected germination of conidia. After HWD at 48 °C for 12 min, the lowest germination of conidia (9%) was recorded, which was more than 10 times lower than control (93%). After 3 days from inoculation, there were 80% of inoculated spots with visual symptoms of decay caused by M. laxa on control peaches and 40% of such spots on control nectarines. Successful infections were recorded on only 5% of inoculated spots of nectarine and 10% of inoculated spots of peach after HWD at 48 °C for 12 min. HWD at 48 °C for 12 min significantly decreased titratable acidity and increased soluble solids concentration/titratable acidity ratio in nectarines. No visual symptoms of heat damage were found on fruits as a consequence of any of the studied treatments. The results show that it is possible to control postharvest brown rot (M. laxa) on peach using HWD at 48 °C for 12 min and on nectarine using HWD at 48 °C for 6 min without a significant loss of fruit quality.

Mould contamination and co-occurrence of mycotoxins in maize grain in Croatia.

Abstract: Maize grain samples (N=15) collected during the autumn of 2002 were analysed for the presence of moulds and mycotoxins fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), zearalenone (ZEA), and ochratoxin A (OTA). Mycological analysis showed that all samples were contaminated with Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp., while Aspergillus spp. were found in 5 samples. F. proliferatum and F. verticilloides, the producers of fumonisins were found in 14 and 8 samples, respectively, while F. graminearum, the producer of ZEA was present in all samples. The most frequent mycotoxins were FB1 (15/15) and ZEA (12/15), followed by OTA (7/15), while FB2 was found in only two samples. Seven samples were contaminated with two mycotoxins, seven with three, and one sample with only one mycotoxin. The concentrations (meanp ; SD) of FB1, ZEA, and OTA in positive samples were 459.5p ; 314.6, 1.70p ; 0.80, and 1.40p ; 0.55 mg/kg, respectively, and the concentrations of FB2 in two samples were 68.4 and 3, 084.0 mg/kg. In general, so low mycotoxin concentrations are not a significant source of exposure to humans, but they may contribute to exposure from other commodities. A few samples with extreme values indicate that thorough control is needed.

Allelopathic potential of segetal and ruderal invasive alien plants

Abstract: At the global level, the invasion of alien organisms is considered the second largest threat to biodiversity. The assumption is that the high allelopathic potential is one of the features that helps invasive plant species to spread to new areas. In the study was determined allelopathic potential of eight invasive plant species (donor species) and their impact on test-species. Donor species were Abutilon theophrasti Med. - velvetleaf (Malvaceae), Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. - ragweed (Asteraceae), Datura stramonium L. - white jimsonweed (Solanaceae), Xanthium strumarium L. - cocklebur (Asteraceae), Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle - tree of heaven (Simaroubaceae), Amorpha fruticosa L. - indigo bush (Fabaceae), Reynoutria japonica Houtte. - Japanese knotweed (Polygonaceae), Solidago gigantea Aiton - giant goldenrod (Asteraceae). Three cultivated plant species from three different plant families were used as test-species: Avena sativa L. - oats (Poaceae), Brassica napus L. - oilseed rape (Brassicaceae) and Helianthus annuus L. - sunflower (Asteraceae). Water extracts made of whole plants of donor species were applied to the seeds of the test-species. High allelopathic potential was proven for all species included in experiment. Allelopathic effects were exclusively negative. Impact on the germination for all species is much smaller in relation to the impact on the radicle and shoot length of the test-species. Perennial species had a stronger allelopathic potential than annual species. Tree of heaven is species with the strongest allelopathic potential. Its extracts inhibited germination, radicle and shoot length of oilseed rape 19%, 94.88% and 98.91% respectively. Applying allelopathy in agriculture can reduce the use of synthetic pesticides.

A User’s Guide

Abstract: OUTPU T 29 OUTPU T 30 OUTPU T 31 OUTPU T 32 OUTPU T 25 OUTPU T 26 OUTPU T 27 OUTPU T 28 OUTPU T 21 OUTPU T 22 OUTPU T 23 OUTPU T 24 OUTPU T 17 OUTPU T 18 OUTPU T 19 OUTPU T 20 OUTPU T 13 OUTPU T 14 OUTPU T 15 OUTPU T 16 OUTPU T 9 OUTPU T 10 OUTPU T 11 OUTPU T 12 OUTPU T 5 OUTPU T 6 OUTPU T 7 OUTPU T 8 OUTPU T 1 OUTPU T 2 OUTPU T 3 OUTPU T 4 29 30 31 32 25 26 27 28 21 22 23 24 17 18 19 20 13 14 15 16 9

Mycotoxins in Food and Feed: Present Status and Future Concerns

Abstract: Disease outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated food and feedstuff are a recurring problem worldwide. The major factor contributing to contamination are microorganisms, especially fungi, which produce low-molecular-weight compounds as secondary metabolites, with confirmed toxic properties referred to as mycotoxins. Several mycotoxins reported to date are cosmopolitan in distribution and incur severe health-associated risks (including cancer and neurological disorders). Hence, creating awareness among consumers, as well as developing new methods for detection and inactivation is of great importance for food safety. In this review, the focus is on the occurrence of various types of mycotoxins in food and feed associated with risks to humans and livestock, as well as legislation put forth by various authorities, and on presently practiced detoxification methods. Brief descriptions on recent developments in mycotoxin detection methodology are also inlcuded. This review is meant to be informative not only for health-conscious consumers but also for experts in the field to pave the way for future research to fill the existing gaps in our knowledge with regard to mycotoxins and food safety.

Current Situation of Mycotoxin Contamination and Co-occurrence in Animal Feed—Focus on Europe

Abstract: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi especially those belonging to the genus Aspergillus, Penicillum and Fusarium. Mycotoxin contamination can occur in all agricultural commodities in the field and/or during storage, if conditions are favourable to fungal growth. Regarding animal feed, five mycotoxins (aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins and ochratoxin A) are covered by EU legislation (regulation or recommendation). Transgressions of these limits are rarely observed in official monitoring programs. However, low level contamination by Fusarium toxins is very common (e.g., deoxynivalenol (DON) is typically found in more than 50% of the samples) and co-contamination is frequently observed. Multi-mycotoxin studies reported 75%–100% of the samples to contain more than one mycotoxin which could impact animal health at already low doses. Co-occurrence of mycotoxins is likely to arise for at least three different reasons (i) most fungi are able to simultaneously produce a number of mycotoxins, (ii) commodities can be contaminated by several fungi, and (iii) completed feed is made from various commodities. In the present paper, we reviewed the data published since 2004 concerning the contamination of animal feed with single or combinations of mycotoxins and highlighted the occurrence of these co-contaminations.

Natural Co-Occurrence of Mycotoxins in Foods and Feeds and Their in vitro Combined Toxicological Effects

Abstract: Some foods and feeds are often contaminated by numerous mycotoxins, but most studies have focused on the occurrence and toxicology of a single mycotoxin. Regulations throughout the world do not consider the combined effects of mycotoxins. However, several surveys have reported the natural co-occurrence of mycotoxins from all over the world. Most of the published data has concerned the major mycotoxins aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FUM) and trichothecenes (TCTs), especially deoxynivalenol (DON). Concerning cereals and derived cereal product samples, among the 127 mycotoxin combinations described in the literature, AFs+FUM, DON+ZEA, AFs+OTA, and FUM+ZEA are the most observed. However, only a few studies specified the number of co-occurring mycotoxins with the percentage of the co-contaminated samples, as well as the main combinations found. Studies of mycotoxin combination toxicity showed antagonist, additive or synergic effects depending on the tested species, cell model or mixture, and were not necessarily time- or dose-dependent. This review summarizes the findings on mycotoxins and their co-occurrence in various foods and feeds from all over the world as well as in vitro experimental data on their combined toxicity.