**3.2.2 Quantification of mycotoxins deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, and aflatoxins**

Mycotoxins are present in quantities too small (in the order of parts per million) for direct detection. Their detection is thus associated with a complex ensemble of information related to the growth of the fungus on the cereal; notably with modifications of the protein or carbohydrate level (starch, cellulose, etc.).

Regarding the capabilities of infrared spectroscopy to quantify mycotoxins, the conclusions differ from one author to another. In general, when dealing with deoxynivalenol, the performance is higher than when dealing with fumonisins. Yet despite this, even if the quantification of mycotoxins appears possible, it is not sufficiently precise to be used in the field. Indeed, the standard error of prediction (SEP) is too large with respect to the regulatory limits—notably European limits. This could be explained by a magnification of the non-negligible standard errors of the chemical benchmarks from which they are developed. Moreover, to work under conditions of realistic of toxin levels, the main avenues for improvement of these studies may be the following:


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Thus, instead of quantification, several studies propose a classification of cereals samples as a function of the mycotoxin level. This qualitative approach works better and, at least until the quantitative models are improved, seems the most conclusive for applications in realistic conditions. Note also that, even if the SECs (Standard Error of Calibration), SECVs (Standard Error of Cross Validation), and SEPs (Standard Error of Prediction), are improved for the quantifications, these models are developed based on chemical benchmarks that themselves have non-negligible standard errors.
