Ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids occurrence in wheat and rye grains produced in Croatia

Ergot alkaloids (EAs) are mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi the genus Claviceps , among which purpurea is most widespread in Europe. This has been found many economically important cereal grains, such as rye, wheat, triticale, barley, millet and oats. The distribution EAs contamination a sporadic incidence with factors involved its occurrence, greatly varying between fungal strains, geographic regions, host plants regional/local weather conditions, at same time emphasizing that cool, damp favours ergot enhancing germination sclerotia. aim this study was to investigate occurrence sclerotia wheat rye grain samples (n = 64) taken during year 2021 from Croatian producers located Central Eastern parts Croatia. In two presence detected amount 259 mg/kg 536 mg/kg, whereas none tested positive for A higher determined (18% contaminated, max 167.4 µg/kg), while lower frequency contamination, only one sample (1.9 %), (68.5 µg/kg). results pointed low-level cultivated whole investigative period. However, although low percentage determined, content than allowed legislation foodstuffs. Because levels these can vary depending on number factors, further research them required over longer period under different cultivation processing conditions.