Results

Project’s overview at 24 Months

Interactions with other EU projects

A Young Ph. Student from MoniQa cooperated with CNR on a topic of MycoRed interest too, sharing knowledge and methodologies.

A lesson and practical training in laboratory on multiplex dipstick developed within the EU project CONffIDENCE held at training course "Detection techniques for mycotoxin and toxigenic fungi in the food chain” in Bari, IT, 2010 .

Progresses at 18 months

WP1  In wheat 40 cvs were compared with three different inoculation methods in two location against four isolates of Fusarium. Visual symptoms, kernel infection and DON contamination was measured. Two populations were searched for QTLs in Szeged, the Hobbit sib series in JIC. For gene expression against F. verticillioides in maize three experiments were made with gene expression test by microarray methodology. In wheat farm scal and small plot fungicide tests were made with new nozzle combination on three cvs and eight fungicides. Here also the translocations of fungicide active ingredients were followed. In maize again 40 hybrids were tested in 2010 (60 ib 2009 as preliminary trial) by two inoculation methods. The field work was finished in November this year.

WP2  Selected antagonists were tested in field experiments in wheat and maize in The Netherlands, Italy and Argentina to reduce mycotoxins produced by Fusarium spp.. Various experiments were carried out in peanuts and maize aiming at the reduction of aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus spp. Economics of large scale production of selected antagonist has been preliminarily assessed.

WP3 All available data were collected to chose/develop predictive models for mycotoxin contamination in wheat, maize and grapes. A sampling protocol was developed for all the crops sampling points were defined in all countries involved; relevant mycotoxins were quantified in all the wheat samples at harvest. A questionnaire was prepared suitable to collect all data regarding geographic coordinates and cropping system of the selected crops and filled for each sample. A meteorological station reasonably close was selected for each sampling point and meteorological data were collected. All data were stored in a data base and they were/will be used for model validation.

WP4 Four aspects of the post-harvest strategies were developed during this period. The effect of environmental factors on respiration of wheat maize, and hazelnuts inoculated with key mycotoxigenic fungi were done. Data was used to develop models to relate environmental factors to dry matter loss (DML) and to mycotoxin contamination. O₃ has been tested in vitro for efficacy against A.flavus. A large number of novel compounds have been screened for efficacy against F.graminearum, F.verticillioides, A.flavus, A.carbonarius, P.verrucosum and A.westerdijkae and control of mycotoxins. The best ones have now been chosen for in situ storage experiments. A sensor “ball” system which incorporates temperature, relative humidity and CO₂ has been developed, and the associated hardware completed. 

WP5 Agricultural by products and commercial products have been tested in vitro for the ability to bind simultaneously aflatoxins B₁, ZEA, FB₁, OTA and DON. Pilot experiments were performed to determine in vivo parameters that should be use to determine the toxicity of mycotoxin and the subsequent effect of agricultural and commercial products. The ability of yeast strains to detoxify aflatoxins B₁ and OTA has been initiated. The efficacy and safety of food processing procedures in reducing mycotoxin content has been initiated. We observed that sulphuration dehulling/peeling and sorting significantly reduced the content of aflatoxins B₁ of apricot seed reduced aflatoxins B₁. Pilot, in vitro tests were performed to asses the cellular toxicity of FB₁.

WP6   The strain collection kept at CNR has been extensively increased with respect to toxigenic Fusaria, Aspergilli and Penicillia. For important species of that collection specific primers and new detection methods have been established. Molecular characterization of Aspergillus species section Nigri isolated from grapes have been performed. The influence of external stress factors on aflatoxin producing Aspergilli and on ochratoxin producing Penicillia have been analysed. Especially the influence of light of different wave length on growth of several food borne fungi and especially on ochratoxin A biosynthesis has been carried out.

WP7  The following analytical tools have been developed and/or validated: 1) LC-MS/MS or LC-HRMS based methods for a) multi-mycotoxin analysis in food matrices; b) fungal metabolite profiling in cultures; c) masked DON- and ZON species in food d) detection of mycotoxin biomarkers in urine and e) determination of novel biomarkers as well as 2) strip tests for rapid test systems.

WP8 MycoRed different dissemination actions have been taken to introduce the project in the international scenario opening the road to further events, by presentations of project worldwide at international conferences and workshop, project’s website and promotional materials. International conferences, workshops and training activities, including Short Term Visits have been organized as well as networking actions at different levels.

 

Focus on activities at 15 Months

The main activities of MycoRed project are on going starting from April 2009.
Here you find news regarding the progresses on going in different Work Packages, as described by the WP leaders and the Deliverables tables per year.

• Biocontrol reducing mycotoxins in cropping systems (WP2), by Jurgen Khol, PRI

• Modelling and development of Decision Support System  (WP3), by Paola Battilani, UCSC

• Novel post-harvest and storage handling practices (WP4) by Naresh Magan, CU

• Advanced Technologies (WP6), by Rolf Geisen, MRI

Project Deliverables

• 1st year  (2009/2010)

• 2nd year (2010/2011)

• 3rd year (2011/2012)

• 4th year (2012/2013)

Table of codes
Nature of Deliverables:
R = Report, P = Prototype, D = Demonstrator, O = Other
Dissemination level:
PU = Public
PP = Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services)
RE = Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services)
CO = Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services)




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