During their growth on the field grain and maize can be infected with moulds of the genus Fusarium. These fungi produce a series of toxic, tetracyclic sesquiterpenoides, called trichothecenes. The most important members of this group of toxins were analysed in grain-based food by a newly developed LC-MS/MS-method. Positive findings were quantified using stable isotope dilution assays. Therefore, respective carbon-13 labelled isotopologues had to be synthesized for their use as internal standards. A screening of commercial food samples revealed that trichothecene contamination was low in general, but not low enough to exclude a potential risk for the consumer completely.
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During their growth on the field grain and maize can be infected with moulds of the genus Fusarium. These fungi produce a series of toxic, tetracyclic sesquiterpenoides, called trichothecenes. The most important members of this group of toxins were analysed in grain-based food by a newly developed LC-MS/MS-method. Positive findings were quantified using stable isotope dilution assays. Therefore, respective carbon-13 labelled isotopologues had to be synthesized for their use as internal standards...
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