T-2 / HT-2 toxin

The mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 belong to a group of trichothecenes and are formed by fungi of the Fusarium species. These toxins are frequently found in agricultural products such as oats, maize, barley and wheat. The occurrence and concentration are regional but they vary significantly. Due to the high cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects, the T-2 and HT-2 toxin represent a health risk for humans and animals.

With the growing awareness of food safety in recent years, maximum levels for specific substances in food and animal feed were specified or recommended by the European Union. In doing so, more and more focus was placed on the T-2 and HT-2 toxins. T-2 and HT-2 toxins are formed by mold fungi and not only damage the body cells directly but also impair the development of vital cell components. The consequences can include reduced body weight, susceptibility to infection and reproductive disorders.

These toxins are frequently detected in oats as well as maize, wheat and barley. The T-2 and HT-2 toxins are found in food and animal feed because of grains and have an impact on farm animals and pets due to the consumption of contaminated feed. Cats are especially sensitive to these contaminations. The health-related effects it has on humans as a result of the consumption of contaminated food are not excluded.

Due to the wide spread of mycotoxin-forming mold fungi, it is not possible to completely avoid grains from being contaminated with the T-2 and HT-2 toxins and the existing contaminations can barely be reduced, neither with the common grain processing processes nor through higher temperatures.

Unfavorable weather conditions also promote the growth of mycotoxin-forming mold fungi. The frequent appearance of the T-2 and HT-2 toxins and their high level of toxicity resulted in the European Union issuing recommendations in 2013 on the maximum levels of both of these toxins in food and animal feed. An exact and reliable analysis of the grains is necessary in order to able to comply with these EU guide values. For this purpose, we offer a large range of analytical solutions.

The trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by molds like Fusarium, Trichoderma, Trichothecium and others. T-2 / HT-2 Toxin belongs to the group of type A trichothecenes. In addition, there are type B trichothecenes, the most important of which being Deoxynivalenol (DON).