Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year
This study examines the microbiological and mycotoxicological quality of common wheat in Romania in the extremely dry 2023–2024 agricultural year. Common wheat grown in the West Plain, Southern Hilly Area, Transylvania, and northern Moldavia (45–48° N, 21–27° E) had higher moisture content, water ac...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/4/154 |
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| author | Valeria Gagiu Elena Mirela Cucu Alina Alexandra Dobre Gina Pusa Pirvu Oana Alexandra Oprea Cristian Mihai Pomohaci Elena Mateescu Nastasia Belc Doru Ioan Marin |
| author_facet | Valeria Gagiu Elena Mirela Cucu Alina Alexandra Dobre Gina Pusa Pirvu Oana Alexandra Oprea Cristian Mihai Pomohaci Elena Mateescu Nastasia Belc Doru Ioan Marin |
| author_sort | Valeria Gagiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the microbiological and mycotoxicological quality of common wheat in Romania in the extremely dry 2023–2024 agricultural year. Common wheat grown in the West Plain, Southern Hilly Area, Transylvania, and northern Moldavia (45–48° N, 21–27° E) had higher moisture content, water activity, <i>Fusarium</i>-damaged kernels, and deoxynivalenol levels. This was due to moderate temperatures, abundant precipitation, and soil water reserves in May, followed by moderate drought from June to August. Conversely, common wheat from the Oltenia Plain, the Southern Plain, and southern Moldavia (43–46° N, 23–28° E) had the lowest contamination levels, attributed to extreme temperatures and drought during June–August. Common wheat from Dobrogea (45° N, 28° E) showed the highest total fungi contamination, which was influenced by precipitation at harvest. Although microbiological and mycotoxicological contamination was low, it negatively affected the physico-chemical and sensory–colorimetric parameters of common wheat, particularly in the West Plain, Oltenia Plain, and Dobrogea. Consequently, there could be significant economic losses for farmers, storekeepers, millers, and bakers, as well as a decline in the quality of finished foods. Moreover, the coexistence of deoxynivalenol and total aflatoxins in common wheat grown in the northwest of the country indicates the spread of contamination due to dry conditions and climate change. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e6d631bf582e419e98c391d9834fd851 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj-art-e6d631bf582e419e98c391d9834fd8512025-08-20T02:25:03ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512025-03-0117415410.3390/toxins17040154Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural YearValeria Gagiu0Elena Mirela Cucu1Alina Alexandra Dobre2Gina Pusa Pirvu3Oana Alexandra Oprea4Cristian Mihai Pomohaci5Elena Mateescu6Nastasia Belc7Doru Ioan Marin8National Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Meteorological Administration (METEO-Romania), 013686 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Meteorological Administration (METEO-Romania), 013686 Bucharest, RomaniaNational Research & Development Institute for Food Bioresources (IBA Bucharest), 020323 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Agriculture, University of Agronomical Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest (USAMV Bucharest), 011464 Bucharest, RomaniaThis study examines the microbiological and mycotoxicological quality of common wheat in Romania in the extremely dry 2023–2024 agricultural year. Common wheat grown in the West Plain, Southern Hilly Area, Transylvania, and northern Moldavia (45–48° N, 21–27° E) had higher moisture content, water activity, <i>Fusarium</i>-damaged kernels, and deoxynivalenol levels. This was due to moderate temperatures, abundant precipitation, and soil water reserves in May, followed by moderate drought from June to August. Conversely, common wheat from the Oltenia Plain, the Southern Plain, and southern Moldavia (43–46° N, 23–28° E) had the lowest contamination levels, attributed to extreme temperatures and drought during June–August. Common wheat from Dobrogea (45° N, 28° E) showed the highest total fungi contamination, which was influenced by precipitation at harvest. Although microbiological and mycotoxicological contamination was low, it negatively affected the physico-chemical and sensory–colorimetric parameters of common wheat, particularly in the West Plain, Oltenia Plain, and Dobrogea. Consequently, there could be significant economic losses for farmers, storekeepers, millers, and bakers, as well as a decline in the quality of finished foods. Moreover, the coexistence of deoxynivalenol and total aflatoxins in common wheat grown in the northwest of the country indicates the spread of contamination due to dry conditions and climate change.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/4/154wheat qualitywater activity<i>Fusarium</i>-damaged kernelsdeoxynivalenolaflatoxincarcinogenic risk |
| spellingShingle | Valeria Gagiu Elena Mirela Cucu Alina Alexandra Dobre Gina Pusa Pirvu Oana Alexandra Oprea Cristian Mihai Pomohaci Elena Mateescu Nastasia Belc Doru Ioan Marin Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year Toxins wheat quality water activity <i>Fusarium</i>-damaged kernels deoxynivalenol aflatoxin carcinogenic risk |
| title | Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year |
| title_full | Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year |
| title_fullStr | Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year |
| title_short | Microbiological and Mycotoxicological Quality of Common Wheat in Romania in the Extremely Dry 2023–2024 Agricultural Year |
| title_sort | microbiological and mycotoxicological quality of common wheat in romania in the extremely dry 2023 2024 agricultural year |
| topic | wheat quality water activity <i>Fusarium</i>-damaged kernels deoxynivalenol aflatoxin carcinogenic risk |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/4/154 |
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