The mycotoxin profiles and dominant mycoflora distribution in foods and agricultural products in Turkey

Abstract

More than 2,000 samples, representing 73 different kinds of Turkish foodstuffs and agricultural products, were analysed for total mould flora. The samples were collected from nine different agricultural regions and from 34 different cities of Turkey. A total of 1,977 isolates, representing 1,317 species and 40 different genera, were scanned for mycotoxin‐producing activities, using 31 different mycotoxin standards. Qualitative screening indicated 32.5 per cent of the cultures were able to produce mycotoxin, with 19 different types of mycotoxins identified. Dominant mould isolates varied by region. The dominant mycotoxins, respectively, were “roquefortin C” and “sterigmatocystin”. The extent of contamination was also determined and a mycotoxin risk profile was constructed for each agricultural region of Turkey.