The contamination of Fabaceae plants with fungi and mycotoxins

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the contamination of Fabaceae plants with fungi and mycotoxins, which have a negative effect on the health of consumers of plant products. Quantitative PCR was used to analyse the DNA of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium fungi in 69 plant samples harvested from four Russian regions in 2015. Additionally, mycotoxins were analysed using ELISA. Cladosporium fungi DNA was found in all the analysed samples; the occurrence of Alternaria and Fusarium DNA was 84% and 51%, respectively. Mycotoxin alternariol was detected in 100% and emodin in 90% of the samples. The occurrence of deoxynivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2/HT-2 mycotoxins was 32%, 42% and 41%, respectively. Plant species had no significant effect on the Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium DNA content of the samples; however, the alternariol, emodin, deoxynivalenol and diacetoxyscirpenol contents differed significantly between plant species. The geographical origin had a statistically significant effect on the Alternaria and Fusarium DNA contents, likely due to differences in weather conditions.