CURRENT IUPAC MYCOTOXIN PROJECTS AND STATUS REPORTS

Existing projects:

1. Spectro-analytical parameters of Fusarium toxins:
   Project 35/86 (Dr. Thiel).
   
   
2. Collaborative study of a solvent efficient TLC method for aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in corn and peanut products:
   Project 45/87 (Dr Park).
   
   
3. Survey of data on incidence and levels of ochratoxin A in food and animal feed world-wide:
   Project 59/89 (Dr. van Egmond).
   
   
4. Collaborative study of an immuno-affinity column method for aflatoxin in M1 in milk:
   Project 67/91 (Dr. Fremy).
   
   
5. Check sample survey for mycotoxins - 1991/1992:
   Project 70/91 (Dr. Friesen, Dr Castegnaro).
   
   
6. Collaborative study of a HPLC method for the determination of fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 in corn:
   Project 71/92 (Dr. Thiel).
   
   
7. World-wide survey of the incidence and levels of fumonisins in foods and animals feeds:
   Project 72/92 (Dr. Thiel).
   
   
8. HPLC determination of aflatoxins in corn and nuts by multi-functional column clean-up pre-column derivatization; Collaborative Study:
   Project 73/93 (Dr. Thiel).
   
   
9. HPLC method for the determination of patulin in apple juice; Collaborative Study:
   Project 74/93 (Dr. Page)
   
   
10. IUPAC/WHO check sample programme for aflatoxins:
    Project 79/93 (Dr. Page)

New projects (agreed August 1995):

1. IUPAC Electronic Bulletin Board for Mycotoxins (on World Wide Web):
   A rapid mechanism for dissemination of information such as meetings and workshop announcements, advances in technology, and other important new findings and for the co-ordination of technical assistance in the area of mycotoxins in human foods.
   
   
2. International Workshop on Ochratoxins.
   This project will be a training programme of on-site personnel for the establishment of a food safety programme for mycotoxins (ochratoxins). The training programme will focus on providing information through a series of lectures on the significance of mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains, sample collection techniques, preparation of samples for analysis, analytical procedures, and testing of product for ochratoxin contamination. Laboratory 'hands on' training for specific analytical procedures applicable to laboratory capabilities of the regions will be provided. Neighbouring locations and countries will be invited to attend the training sessions. To be completed by December 1996.
   
   
3. Other Studies:

   3.1 Patulin studies:
   During 1995, a study to determine the influence on patulin levels of the deck storage of apples (Granny Smith variety), in combination with initial processing practices, was undertaken in collaboration with industry. The results will shortly be prepared for publication. A study will be undertaken during the 1996 season, to determine the influence on patulin of downline processing (i.e. from the maceration of apples through to the finished product), during the production as apple juice concentrate.
   
   3.2 Fumonisin studies in vervet monkeys:
   Toxicokinetic studies on FB1 dosed to rats and vervet monkeys have previously been published by researchers at PROMEC. These studies are in the process of being extended to the second most abundant of the fumonisin analogues, FB2. Results on rats have recently appeared (see publication list) and work on vervet monkeys is currently in progress. The results of these studies will be presented at the IX IUPAC Mycotoxin and Phycotoxin Symposium in Rome during May 1996. The effect of fumonisins on free sphingoid base levels in various cultured mammalian cells and in the plasma and urine of various animals (rats, ponies, pigs, etc.) dosed with fumonisins have been demonstrated. Work is currently in progress at PROMEC studying the effect of fumonisin doses on sphingoid base levels in plasma and urine of vervet monkeys.
   
   3.3 Studies related to aflatoxin contamination of areca nuts:
   Epidemiological studies have indicated that oral cancer and oral submucous fibrosis, especially in selected population groups, may be associated with the traditional practice of areca nut chewing. A joint collaborative project has been undertaken between scientists at PROMEC and the Dental Faculty at the University of Stellenbosch, in order to investigate the possible exposure of the South African Indian population to aflatoxins in areca nuts. A method previously developed for the determination of aflatoxins in maize was applied to the analysis of an initial 30 areca nut samples imported from Asia into South Africa. Only the raw areca nut samples were found to be contaminated with the aflatoxins (@ between 0.8-19.0 ng/g - mean = 8.8 ng/g), and the results correlated with corresponding mycological data. Using areca nut consumption data, it was estimated that chewers of raw areca nuts may be exposed to total aflatoxin levels of between 27-207ng/24 hours. The results will appear in the S.A. Journal of Science and extended studies are to continue during 1996.
   
   3.4 Microcystin studies:
   A joint project has been established between scentists at PROMEC and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Stellenbosch to evaluate the photocatalytic degradation of the microcystins in water. Early results are encouraging and the preliminary results of ongoing studies will be presented at the IUPAC Symposium in Rome.