Effetto dei trattamenti con ozono gassoso su DON contaminanti microbici e parametri tecnologici di frumento e semola

The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) occurs often in wheat grain and is frequently associated with its modified form DON-3-glucoside (DON-3-Glc). Ozone (O3) is a powerful disinfectant and oxidant that reacts easily with specific compounds including mycotoxins. It degrades DON in aqueous solution and can be effective for grain decontamination. This study reports the efficacy of gaseous ozone treatments in reducing DON, DON-3-Glc, bacteria, fungi and yeasts in naturally contaminated durum wheat. A prototype was used to dispense ozone continuously and homogeneously at different concentrations and exposure time. The optimal conditions, which do not affect chemical and rheological parameters of durum wheat, semolina and pasta, were identified (55 g O3 h-1 for 6 h). The measured mean reductions of DON and DON-3-Glc in ozonated wheat were 29% and 44%, respectively. Ozonation also produced a significant (p<0,05) reduction of total count (CFU/g) of bacteria, fungi and yeasts in wheat grains.