GRAIN
SCIENCE
NEWS
Paper test
MYCOTOXINS CAN BE DETRIMENTAL
to the quality of various grains. When
present, they can have negative economic
consequences for farmers and millers, as
well as a disturbing impact on human and
animal health. However, current detec-
tion tests aren’t always affordable, efficient
or the most reliable. Farmers are unable
to conduct their own tests, instead relying
on expensive, often time-consuming lab
tests—incurring costs that then get passed
on to consumers.
Maria DeRosa, an associate professor
of chemistry at Carleton University, is
currently developing a new mycotoxin
detection test. She’s the principal investi-
gator behind this new innovation, which
she’s calling the paper test.
MYCOTOXINS IN WESTERN CANADA
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring, toxic
chemicals created by fungi. In Western
Canada, the fungi producing mycotoxins
can be found in multiple sources, includ-
ing fusarium, ochratoxin and ergot. Myco-
toxins can be found in almost all kinds of
grain in Western Canada, including wheat
and barley.
According to Barry Blakley, a professor
in the department of veterinary biomedical
sciences at the University of Saskatchewan,
the presence of mycotoxins in Alberta
wasn’t always a problem. “For many
years, Manitoba had a lot of problems
with fusarium, whereas Saskatchewan
and Alberta did not,” Blakley said. “But in
the last year or so, the moulds have been
migrating west. Last year, substantial
amounts were found in Saskatchewan
and Alberta.” Blakley believes that this
western spread could be due to changes in
moisture patterns and weather conditions.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING
According to DeRosa, mycotoxins are a
farm-to-fork problem. “Mycotoxins are a
problem for the farmers, the millers, the
food producers and for consumers,” she
said. “It impacts them all.”
On one level, the presence of mycotox-
ins in grains can have a detrimental effect
economically. If the toxin is present, the
grain is either downgraded or altogether
unsalable—either way, farmers are unable
to get maximum value for it.
Spring
2016
Grains
West
48
MAKINGMYCOTOXINDETECTIONCHEAPER, QUICKER ANDMORE RELIABLE
Photo: Derek Hodgson
FARM TO FORK:
According to Carleton University researcher Maria DeRosa, mycotoxins can have negative impacts throughout the entire grain
value chain—from farmers to consumers.
