DIN EN 16923:2017-08

Mycotoxins are highly harmful secondary metabolites of molds. Food that is grown, harvested or stored under humid conditions can be infested by molds, whose metabolic products are then released into the food. The toxicity of some mycotoxins is considerable for humans; safe detection is therefore of particular importance for consumer health protection. In Germany, the Mycotoxin Maximum Quantity Ordinance applies to reduce mycotoxin contamination. Since 2004, it has contained regulations not only for aflatoxins, but also for ochratoxin A, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. Since 2001, the national regulations have been supplemented by EU-wide maximum levels for contaminants in food. Maximum levels of mycotoxins in certain foods are also regulated by various other ordinances. The mycotoxin T-2 toxin and its metabolite HT-2 toxin belong to the group of trichothecenes which are produced by various Fusarium species. Cereals like maize, wheat, barley, oats and rye are most likely to be affected. This European Standard describes a method for the determination of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal-based products, such as oats, intended for nutrition of infants and young children by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) after cleanup by solid phase extraction. The method has been validated for HT-2 toxin in oat flour at levels of 9,3 μg/kg and 28,1 μg/kg, oat flakes at levels of 16,5 μg/kg and 21,4 μg/kg, and breakfast cereals (containing oat flakes) at a level of 8,1 μg/kg and for T-2 toxin in oat flour at levels of 4,4 μg/kg and 8,3 μg/kg, oat flakes at levels of 4,9 μg/kg and 6,6 μg/kg and breakfast cereals (containing oat flakes) at a level of 3,5 μg/kg. Laboratory experiences have shown that the method is also applicable to highly swelling materials (dry cereal-based porridges and modified starches), but these were not examined in the method validation study. The method can also be applied to oat-by-products at higher levels of T-2- and HT-2 toxin. In this case, the dilution steps need to be considered.