jf5b02977_si_001.pdf (115.86 kB)
Occurrence of Ergot and Ergot Alkaloids in Western Canadian Wheat and Other Cereals
journal contribution
posted on 2015-07-29, 00:00 authored by Sheryl A. Tittlemier, Dainna Drul, Mike Roscoe, Twylla McKendryA new method was
developed to analyze 10 ergot alkaloids in cereal
grains. Analytes included both “ine” and “inine”
type ergot alkaloids. Validation of the method showed it performed
with good accuracy and precision and that minor enhancement due to
matrix effects was present during LC-MS/MS analysis, but was mitigated
by use of an internal standard. The method was used to survey durum
and wheat harvested in 2011, a year in which ergot infection was particularly
widespread in western Canada. A strong linear relationship between
the concentration of ergot alkaloids and the presence of ergot sclerotia
was observed. In addition, shipments of cereals from 2010–2012
were also monitored for ergot alkaloids. Concentrations of total ergot
alkaloids in shipments were lower than observed in harvest samples,
and averaged from 0.065 mg/kg in barley to 1.14 mg/kg in rye. In shipments,
the concentration of ergot alkaloids was significantly lower in wheat
of higher grades.