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MycoRed progresses at 18 months

MycoRed is applying the integration of specific technologies to a set of food/feed chain targets with respect to wheat, maize, grape, nuts and dried fruits, by a multidisciplinary integration of know-how and technology.

A significant reduction of mycotoxins in pre-harvest is being obtained by optimization of plant resistance, fungicide use, biocontrol and modelling and developing a Decisional Support System. A better nozzle composition was developed with a 50 % additional fungicide reduction compared to the best technology found until now. Field trials in the Netherlands, Italy, Nigeria and Argentina have been done with selected Biological Control Agents in wheat, maize, peanuts; so far 69-80% aflatoxins control reduction in maize was achieved with non-toxigenic strains in Nigeria and in The Netherlands F. graminearum inoculum was decreased about 70% in wheat stubble by using antagonists.

In post-harvest and processing field, relationships between environmental factors and dry matter loss relevant to EU legislative limits (DON, FUM and AFs) have been identified in wheat, maize and hazelnuts and first examination of in vitro effect of O₃ on germination and growth on relevant mycotoxin producing fungi has been initiated. In addition, novel compounds have been identified which could be used for post-harvest control of DON, FUM and AFs in food chains addressed by MycoRed, while  wireless sensor network devices have been developed for introduction into pilot scale grain silos to monitoring temperature, humidity and CO₂.

Other significant actions to reduce mycotoxin contents in agricultural by products and commercial products have been performed testing in vitro the ability to bind simultaneously aflatoxins B₁, ZEA, FB₁, OTA and DON, as well as the ability of yeast strains to detoxify aflatoxins B₁ and OTA. Sulphuration dehulling/peeling and sorting of apricot seed reduced aflatoxins B₁ in the final product (75-91%).

Advanced technologies for biodiversity and diagnostics have been developed applying molecular methods for identification of Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium (880+) from several host plants, and novel approaches to control mycotoxigenic fungi by application of light at different wave length permitting a better control of fungal growth and toxin production.

Advanced analytical methods have been developed and validated for multi-mycotoxin analyses in a range of food matrices from the chosen food chains and for simultaneous determination of multi-biomarkers for several mycotoxins in human and animal urine. Rapid test kits (strip tests) for the detection of DON, AFs and FUMs have been thoroughly validated and checked for cross-reactivity against conjugated and other altered forms of mycotoxins.

Several international events, in cooperation with ISM and/or other international scientific institutions, have been organized in Europe (successful international conference in Austria -2009, Workshop on Variety registration in cereals in Hungary, 2010, Training course Detection techniques for mycotoxin and toxigenic fungi in the food chain, Italy- on line too), Africa (Mycotoxicological Risks in Mediterranean Countries: economic impact, prevention, management and control, Egypt, October, 2010) and Asia (Conference and training course in Malaysia, Dec 2010). Young researchers and students have been involved too in this learning process, participating at MycoRed Short Term Visits (16) in Europe and Africa labs and Home Education sessions in China and Argentina.

Finally, international Twinnings (EU-Canada; EU-Argentina) have been activated, and a scientific worldwide network is involving the major international experts and organizations through scientific alliances and agreements with other projects.

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