SUMMARY
Determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat, barley and corn and its relationship with the levels of total molds, Fusarium spp., infestation percentage, and water activity
Fifty samples of cereals including 30 of wheat (10 of wheat hard red spring), 10 of wheat soft red winter and 10 of wheat durum ámber),10 of barley and 10 of com (5 of white corn and 5 of yellow corn) were analyzed to detect and determine by the TLC method, the quantity of deoxynivalenol levels, which is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Fusarium species. The a_w of samples and the internal and external micoflora and Fusarium spp. levels were also investigated. Results showed that the highest grade of infection (12- 80%), and the highest count of total molds (3,9 Log UFC/g) were detected in wheat samples, while the highest levels of Fusarium spp. (2,3 Log UFC/g) were detected in white corn. Deoxynivalenol was found in the wheat and barley samples but not in corn. The wheat red winter soft samples showed the highest levels of deoxyni valenol (3,2 ug/g) which is over the limit levels accepted by the FDA. Correlation was not found among count of total molds, Fusarium spp., infestation grade, aw, and deoxynivalenol levels. These results suggest that it is necesary to exert measures to avoid and to control the importation of contaminated cereal s with DON levels higher to those allowed.

Key words: Cereals, deoxynivalenol, vomitoxin.

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PRIVACIDAD | ACCESIBILIDAD ALAN-VE ISSN 0004-0622 - Depósito Legal: pp 199602DF83 Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición Producción editorial en Venezuela: Capítulo Venezolano - RIF: J-30843129-0 Urbanización Santa María, primera transversal, No. 417-214, Planta Alta Tele-Fax: (+58-212) 283.8618 E-mail info@alanrevista.org Código Postal: 1070 Caracas - Venezuela