The protective effect of hulls on the occurrence of Alternaria mycotoxins in spelt wheat

Abstract

Background: Since there is an increasing demand on the world market for alternative crops suitable for organic production, spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum spp. spelta L.) is a highly attractive farming option. Alternaria species are widespread and infect a great variety of economically important crops. Certain species are known producers of mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of hulls covering the spelt kernels on Alternaria toxins. Results: Alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) were evaluated in hulls and dehulled kernels after plant inoculation with one A. alternata and two different A. tenuissima isolates. Mycotoxins were determinated using high-performance liquid chromatography with dioade array detection. The detected levels of AOH and AME were four times higher in hulls compared to kernels in inoculation treatments. AOH was registered at levels ranging from 227 to 331μgkg-1 in dehulled kernels and from 433 up to 1647μgkg-1 in hulls. AME was predominant toxin detected in the range of 277 to 398μgkg-1 in dehulled kernels and from 1844 to 2183μgkg-1 in hulls, with highly significant difference to water control treatment. Conclusion: Obtained results indicate the significantly higher concentrations of Alternaria toxins in hulls than in dehulled kernels which implicate the possible protective effect of spelt wheat hulls. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.