Occurrence and Quantification of <i>Fusarium</i> Mycotoxins in Wheat Grains from Uruguay

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major limitation for wheat production in Uruguay. This study aimed to optimize a method for the determination of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium in wheat grains. A validated HPLC-MS/MS method was used to analyze zearalenone (ZEA) and type B trichothecenes─deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15ADON), and nivalenol (NIV)─in 71 commercial samples from the 2018 season across various cultivars and locations. Mycotoxins were detected in 47 samples, with DON being the most prevalent (46/47), ranging from 102 to 10,507 μg/kg. NIV was quantified in 8 samples (37–66 μg/kg), ZEA in 6 (104–5193 μg/kg), and 3ADON in one sample (67 μg/kg); 15ADON was not detected. FHB-susceptible cultivars showed more positive samples and higher DON and ZEA levels, while moderately resistant cultivars generally had lower concentrations. However, no significant differences in DON content were observed among cultivars.