Four-year surveillance of mycotoxins in feed and raw materials (2021-2024): Occurrence, co-contamination, and risk...

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by molds, primarily by species of Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus genera. They are widespread contaminants of foods, feeds and various feed materials. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of mycotoxin contamination in raw materials and animal feed products in Poland between 2021 and 2024. A total of 2,411 samples were collected from farmers and producers across the country, including 1,102 feed samples for swine, poultry and cattle; 519 maize samples; 569 small grain samples; 183 total mixed ration (TMR) samples; and 38 corn silages samples. Samples were examined for several mycotoxins commonly found in Europe, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, T-2 toxin, H-2 toxin and fumonisins, Trichothecenes, zearalenone, and fumonisins were analyzed using the LC-MS/MS technique, while ochratoxin A and aflatoxins were analyzed using the HPLC-FLD method. Deoxynivalenol and HT-2 toxin were the most prevalent in feed samples (100 % and 99.9 % occurrence, respectively). In maize, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were also dominant (99.5 % and 99.7 % occurrence, respectively). The highest concentrations of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were 11,033 μg/kg and 4,487 μg/kg, respectively, observed in maize. Two maize samples exceeded the maximum recommended concentration level for zearalenone as set by the European Union. These findings confirm that mycotoxins remain widespread contaminants in feed and feed materials, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and preventive measures.