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Crop Research

Mycotoxins

These ongoing projects relate to the work that HGCA has commissioned in relation to field and storage mycotoxins.

Click on the titles for an upshot of the problem to be addressed, the aims, the approach and the benefits to the industry. Also  the latest project information will be attached in the form of Annual Project Reports (APRs) or Interim Reports.

Field mycotoxins

RD-2003-2726 Reduced fusarium ear blight and mycotoxins in UK wheat through improved resistance (REFAM, LK0932).
Fusarium ear blight causes loss of yield and quality and is primarily of concern because of the harmful mycotoxins produced by some of the fungal pathogens responsible for the disease.

RD-2004-2981 The fate of Fusarium mycotoxins in the cereal food chain (LK FQS64)
To understand the influence of food processing events on the levels of mycotoxins in a range of cereal food products. See executive summary of the Defra LINK report FQS64.

RD-2004-3134 Monitoring risks of mycotoxin contamination caused by Fusarium head blight pathogens in winter wheat
To monitor and investigate fusarium disease and mycotoxin contamination in winter wheat and to advise industry of seasonal and regional risks.

RD-2006-3288 Improving risk assessment to minimise fusarium mycotoxins in harvested wheat grain
Monitoring the fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEAR) at harvest in UK wheat.

RD-2006-3332 Improving risk assessment to minimise fusarium mycotoxins in harvested oats
Project aims are the monitoring and modelling of fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), HT2, T2 and zearalenone (ZEAR) at harvest in UK oats.

RD-2008-3401 Improving risk assessment to minimise fusarium mycotoxins in harvested malting barley
Monitoring and modelling of fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), HT2, T2 and zearalenone (ZEAR) in UK malting barley at harvest.

Storage mycotoxins

RD-2004-3133 Experimental validation of a model to devise practical strategies for Ochratoxin A production during ambient-air drying.
To ensure that ambient air drying processes in the UK are successful in keeping Ochratoxin A levels below EU regulatory thresholds in the most cost-effective manner.

RD-2005-3201 Defining and managing risks to safety and quality during food and feed grain storage LK0985
An industry-led initiative facilitated by HGCA, has identified areas within the grain storage process where there is insufficient knowledge to properly assess and control risks. These areas require that innovative research be undertaken to meet the industry need for a scientifically validated guide to best practice.

RD-2006-3333 Evaluation of Rapid Test Kits as Potential Screening Tools for Ochratoxin A (OTA) Determination in Wheat
To identify potential commercially available methods/technologies for the quantitative assessment of OTA in cereals.

Please visit the new Mycotoxin Section of our website for more information about field and storage mycotoxins and to see publications and tools that have arisen out of finished projects.