MYCOMASK: Assessment of the chemical risk associated with masked Fusarium toxin-containing foodstuffs (MYCOMASK)

Masked mycotoxins, in which the toxin is usually bound to a more polar substance such as glucose, escape established analytical techniques. Little is known about the occurrence of these compounds in foodstuffs. In this project, a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method that allows the simultaneous determination of free and masked mycotoxins will be developed and applied to a survey on the occurrence of masked mycotoxins in food commodities. The extent to which animals and humans are exposed to masked mycotoxins will also be assessed and a preliminary risk evaluation will be carry out.