Which mycotoxin is associated with wheat and barley?

Which mycotoxin is associated with wheat and barley?

• A. Aflatoxin
• B. Ochratoxin A
• C. Deoxynivalenol
• D. Patulin

Answer: (C)

Diseases and toxins from fungi often target specific crops, and for wheat and barley the toxin most commonly linked is deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin. It’s produced by Fusarium species that cause Fusarium head blight in these cereals, especially under cool, wet conditions before harvest. DON contaminates grain and is a primary concern in cereal safety due to health effects and regulatory limits. Other toxins are tied to different foods: aflatoxin is mainly from Aspergillus in nuts and maize; ochratoxin A can show up in various foods but isn’t the hallmark cereal toxin; patulin is primarily associated with apples. So the toxin most characteristic of wheat and barley is deoxynivalenol.

Diseases and toxins from fungi often target specific crops, and for wheat and barley the toxin most commonly linked is deoxynivalenol, also known as vomitoxin. It’s produced by Fusarium species that cause Fusarium head blight in these cereals, especially under cool, wet conditions before harvest. DON contaminates grain and is a primary concern in cereal safety due to health effects and regulatory limits. Other toxins are tied to different foods: aflatoxin is mainly from Aspergillus in nuts and maize; ochratoxin A can show up in various foods but isn’t the hallmark cereal toxin; patulin is primarily associated with apples. So the toxin most characteristic of wheat and barley is deoxynivalenol.