Trichothecenes (T-2, DON and others) Trichothecenes are produced by various mildews of the Fusarium species, such as F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides, F. poae or F. equiseti. The most important structural features causing the biological activities of trichothecenes are: the 12,13-epoxy ring, the presence of hydroxyl or acetyl groups at appropriate positions on the trichothecene nucleus and the structure and position of the side-chain. They are produced on many different grains like wheat, oats or maize. This group of structurally related mycotoxins has a strong impact on the health of animals and humans due to their immunosuppressive effects. Type A trichothecenes (e.g. T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol) are of special interest, because they are even more toxic than the related type B trichothecenes (e.g. deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol). Their major effects - related to their concentration in the food - are reduced feed intake, vomiting and immunosuppression. For the testing of cereals and other relevant commodities the following methods are available: Fast screening of cereals can be performed using ELISA technology, high performance liquid chromatography with variable wavelength detection is the reference method for type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, etc.) and high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry guarantees a sensitive reference method for type A trichothencenes (T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin)

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