TMPmouldRISK project basic information
Title: Mycotoxins in traditional Croatian meat products: molecular identification of mycotoxin-producing moulds and consumer exposure assessment
Grant: Croatian Science Foundation
Leading institution: Croatian Veterinary Institute
Project leader: Assoc Prof Jelka Pleadin, PhD, Scientific Adviser
Value: HRK 999,920.00
Project summary
During ripening, surfaces of dry traditional meat products (TMPs) get to be overgrown by moulds, primarily those belonging to the Penicillium, Aspergillus and Eurotium genera. On the overall, research in the area has shown a favourable impact of superficial moulds on TMP quality. However, an uncontrolled mould growth could be responsible for unwanted sensory product features and contamination with toxic compounds termed the mycotoxins, which moulds produce under certain circumstances as their secondary metabolites.
Research on mycotoxins in TMPs conducted insofar has mostly been focused on ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), while the knowledge on citrinin (CIT), sterigmatocystin (STC) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) prevalence is still insufficient. Data on mould species overgrowing TMP surfaces and producing these mycotoxins depending on a number of factors are also scarce.This Project aims at identifying the mould species and pinpointing the genes responsible for the production of mycotoxins overgrowing surfaces of TMPs produced in various Croatian regions differing in their climate, as well as at assessing TMP consumption – mediated consumer exposure to mycotoxins. Within the frame of the proposed Project, mould species overgrowing the surface of the most prominent Croatian TMPs shall be identified using molecular techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR); on top of that, genes responsible for mycotoxin production shall be pinpointed. The identified moulds shall be linked to the established sensory and physicochemical features of TMPs and mycotoxins occurrence. Concentrations of all mentioned mycotoxins shall be determined using developed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques, contributing thereby to the potential of analytical tools to be used in further research devoted to the prevalence of these mycotoxins worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, this research shall give the very first insight into the concentrations of each and every mycotoxin of relevance for meat products, taking thereby into account the type of TMPs and the impact of regional climate witnessed during the two production years on the occurrence of these contaminants. Based on the data on dietary habits of Croatian population, TMPs consumption-mediated consumer exposure to these mycotoxins shall be assessed.
The results of this research shall serve as the cornerstone for Scientific Opinion drafting and a valuable rationale to be used by food safety authorities in stipulating the Maximum Levels (MLs) of mycotoxins in meat products, as well for producers striving to prevent TMPs contamination.
Project objectives
To identify mould species that overgrow TMP surfaces using molecular techniques, and to determine the differences between mould genera and mould species typical of individual TMPs, production regions and production years, that is to say, climate conditions witnessed during ripening.
To establish sensory profiles of TMPs under study and link them to the identified mould species as possible reasons behind unfavourable product sensory features.
To relate physicochemical features of relevance for mould nascence to mould presence on TMP surfaces and to create a database on nutritive characteristics of Croatian TMPs that determine the product quality.
To develop confirmatory analytical methods suitable for the determination of yet unexplored mycotoxins STC & CPA in Croatian TMPs.
To determine the concentrations of AFB1, OTA, CIT, STC and CPA mycotoxins, and reveal the differences in their concentrations across various TMPs, Croatian TMP production regions and TMP production years, as well as to establish their possible co-occurrence in certain TMPs.
To relate the mycotoxin presence in TMPs to the isolated mould species, and to pinpoint the genes responsible for mycotoxin production.
To assess TMP-mediated consumer exposure in view of dietary habits of Croatian consumers, and to undertake measures for the prevention of mycotoxin contamination of TMPs to the end of consumer health protection.