Mycotoxin analysis Impana

The all-in-one solution from Impana AG relieves you of the tedious task of procuring all the accessories for testing DON. Thanks to the robust and mobile storage case, simple, flexible and fast work is guaranteed. We will be happy to provide you with advice and demonstrate our system to you free of charge. DON testing is becoming increasingly important as the detection of contaminated grain is required by food safety regulations and DON can be harmful to humans and animals.

Advantages Impana Mycotoxin Case:
– Cheaper measurement (CHF 7.-/measurement)
– Stable, reliable measurement
– No annual license fees for the software
– Compact, mobile case
– All-in-one solution (no additional accessories required!)
– Best support, service & training
– Simple, step-by-step process

MYCOTOXIN SIMPLY EXPLAINED:

Mycotoxin DON
The mycotoxin DON (also known as vomitoxin or deoxynivalenol) has been shown to lead to reduced feed consumption, feed refusal, lower weight gain and altered food efficiency in animals. It is important to understand the effects of DON in wheat and other cereal products and why DON testing is so important in the industry.

What is DON mycotoxin?
DON is one of the most common mycotoxins and contaminates various types of grain. Fusarium fungi, which occur naturally, produce deoxynivalenol (DON). Fusarium is found in soil all over the world and is a major cause of contamination in agriculture. Due to its stability at high temperatures, DON persists in simple food processing procedures. Farmers, grain processors, grain mills and suppliers must therefore be informed about the latest test methods and the application of measures for dealing with mycotoxins. DON attacks cereal grains and corresponding silage. It occurs in particular in wheat, maize, barley, rice, sorghum, oats and rye.

What are the harmful effects of DON?
DON is also known as vomitoxin, as it causes vomiting, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever when ingested.
At high concentrations and advanced levels of contamination, the symptoms associated with vomitoxin are more severe in animals. They include a weakened immune system, bleeding and tissue necrosis in the digestive system, nerve problems and birth defects. These symptoms have a negative impact on animal production, as the animals refuse to eat and perform less well. In humans, food contaminated with DON causes nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and headaches.

Why is DON testing important?
Due to its strong cytotoxic and immunosuppressive properties, DON endangers the health of animals and humans alike.
DON contamination impairs the productivity of farms, animal feed and grain mills, reduces quality and creates food safety risks. Testing for DON is crucial as Fusarium fungi thrive in soil. If DON is not detected in the field, the contamination persists throughout storage and survives basic food processing. As DON poses a risk to human and animal health, it is important to recognize DON at an early stage and adapt conditions to prevent its growth. Food safety regulations stipulate that DON levels must be tested and kept below the specified parts per million (ppm). In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a DON content of less than 1 ppm in finished wheat products intended for human consumption.

Who should carry out DON tests?
DON testing should be carried out by grain producers and processors as it is widely used in the fields. As the mycotoxin is heat stable, DON testing should be carried out at every stage of the seed and grain supply chain, including milling and processing. By inspecting the load on receipt of goods, it is possible to ensure that the raw materials are of acceptable quality. Testing for DON after storage and before final processing is important to keep DON out of the food supply for humans and animals.