THE INFLUENCE OF STORAGE CONDITION ON MYCOTOXIN LOAD ON MAIN FEED INPUTS IN SOUTHEAST ROMANIA.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds for animals and humans, naturally produced by different types of fungi. Exposure to mycotoxins through the consumption of contaminated food or feed leads to gastrointestinal and renal disorders to the point of immune deficiency and cancer. Most mycotoxins are chemically stable and persist in food processing. Fusarium graminearum is a dangerous pathogen of the cereals producing mycotoxins (trichothecene and zearalenone) harmful for human and animal health. Given the implementation of the requirements of the European Green Deal, especially those related to organic products, and in the context of climate change, especially the fluctuations in temperature and humidity, the increase of the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed is expected. In these conditions, the evaluation of the degree of mycotoxin contamination in different steps on the food chain, with fast and accurate methods, is very important. The aim of this work was to investigate the dynamics of fungi and related mycotoxins on wheat, maize and sunflower during cereal storage in vertical and classic silos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]