What is Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are a group of toxic compounds that are naturally formed by certain molds on a variety of foods such as grains, dried fruit, nuts, and spices.

Mycotoxins formation through mold growth can occur before, during, and after harvest. During storage, toxin formation takes place on the surface and inside of foods under warm, humid, and wet storage conditions.

Almost all mycotoxins are chemically stable and persist during food processing. Therefore, it will directly affect human health through the daily food chain.

There are more than hundreds of different mycotoxins, but some of the most common affecting human and animal health include: Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin A, Patulin, Fumonisin, zearalenone, and nivalenol/deoxynivalenol. Poisoning by this mycotoxin can also occur when eaten directly or indirectly from animals (when they eat contaminated food), or even from milk.

After consuming food contaminated with mycotoxins, the body quickly develops severe acute symptoms that, if exceeded, can lead to death. Some toxins that accumulate in the body for a long time will have long-term effects on health, including cancer and weakened immune systems.

Regulations relating to mycotoxins in food in some countries

• Vietnam: The Ministry of Health promulgates the maximum threshold for mycotoxins for specific foods according to QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT - National technical regulation on limits of mycotoxins contamination in food.
• European Union: refer to regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 - setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs
• Korea: refer to Food code 2019
• Australia: refer to schedule 19 - Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants

Analysis of mycotoxins

Eurofins Food and Feed Testing has been providing mycotoxins testing for a long time with thousands of samples sent in each year.

With modern and diversified investment equipment, it is possible to meet the most stringent requirements on detection limit (LOD, LOQ) of each sample type, with high stability. A team of skilled technicians with in-depth analytical experience on special foods, agricultural products, grains and dairy.

Continuously improve research and apply the most advanced techniques to the process to achieve analytical results with the highest reliability:

• The laboratory regularly reviews and updates its testing methods in line with the latest standards and technical developments from internationally recognized organizations such as AOAC, ISO, and EN. Methods are continuously optimized and validated for specific sample matrices to ensure high analytical accuracy and to meet the evolving quality requirements of customers across diverse industries.
• Affinity chromatography: one of the most standardized techniques (AOAC, ISO, ...) has good specificity and helps to enrich the analyte, remove interferences to achieve the highest efficiency in identification. determine mycotoxins.
• Eurofins Food and Feed Testing Vietnam is equipped with advanced LC-MS/MS, LC-FLD, and LC-UV systems to meet diverse analytical sensitivity and regulatory requirements. The laboratory also leverages automation to reduce operational errors and support fast turnaround times of as little as 24 to 48 hours.