**Section 5**

**Crop Protection** 

182 Agricultural Science

Zou J S, Lu C G, Yao K M, Hu N, Xia S J. Research on theories and techniques of irrigation

Zou J S, Yao K M, Deng F P. Analysis on fertility characteristics of Peiai64S and technology

(9): 1780-1786.

abstract)

for safeguarding seed production of two-line hybrid rice. *Agric Sci Chin*, 2005, 38

for its safely applying. *Acta Agron Sin*, 2003, 29 (1) : 87-92. (in Chinese with English

**9** 

*France* 

**Infrared Spectroscopy Applied to** 

**and Their Metabolites on Cereals** 

**(Corn, Wheat, and Barley)** 

Cécile Levasseur-Garcia

**Identification and Detection of Microorganisms** 

*Université de Toulouse, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Ecole d'Ingénieurs* 

Over the last several years, mycotoxins, which are metabolites secreted by fungi, have been the subject of numerous studies. These eukaryotes play a major ecological role in the life cycle of plants. Indeed, for some fungi, the role of saprophyte places them at the heart of

Some 350 mold species produce a large range of secondary metabolites (over 300, of which ~30 are toxic) [Fremy et al., 2009] and represent a potential danger for animal and human health and cause significant losses for the cereals industry [Le Bars et al., 1996]. The effects of mold are well illustrated by decreases in crop and livestock yields, public health problems, or write-offs on the international cereal market [Le Bars, et al., 1996]. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates annual global losses from mycotoxins at 1 billion tons of foodstuffs [Fao, 2001]. The primary organisms impacted by mycotoxins are plants. Currently, about 25% of agricultural crops worldwide are contaminated by these

In response to these significant economic and health risks, global non-tariff barriers (i.e., specific food-safety standards imposed on imported products) were erected to control commercial trade based on the mycotoxic quality of foodstuffs. These measures generate significant economic and material losses for countries that export contaminated foodstuffs, either because their cargo is refused or because of a reduction in prices. To limit these consequences, farmers and the food industry strive to reduce the presence of mycotoxins in their products. Therefore, producers and processors are searching for alternative analytical methods to determine, in a quick, simple, and inexpensive manner, the risk of their products containing fungi or mycotoxins. The use of infrared spectroscopy—a mature technology—to

In this chapter, we focus on mycotoxins found mainly in wheat, barley, and corn and that have been studied in the international literature; namely, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and

**1. Introduction** 

aflatoxin B1.

ecosystem dynamics [Alexopoulous et al., 1996].

metabolites [Charmley et al., 2006].

monitor foodstuffs could respond to this need.

*de Purpan, Département Sciences Agronomiques et Agroalimentaires, Toulouse,* 
