Development of a method to separate toxic compounds from fungal pathogens in hemp

Authors: Kagan, Isabelle; GAUTHIER, NICOLE - University Of Kentucky

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2023
Publication Date: 8/15/2023
Citation: Kagan, I., Gauthier, N. 2023. Development of a method to separate toxic compounds from fungal pathogens in hemp. American Chemical Society Abstracts. Pg 105.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Among the fungal pathogens being identified on hemp are Fusarium graminearum, known to produce mycotoxins on grains. Mycotoxins produced include deoxynivalenol (DON). Because DON can be harmful to both humans and livestock, and tight regulations exist on allowable amounts in the food supply, the detection and quantification of mycotoxins are essential tools to keep consumers safe. Existing mycotoxin extraction and separation methods are optimized for contaminated grain and flour, and new methods may be needed for hemp. Using commercially available standards, four mycotoxins were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and these were well separated from several cannabinoids. Disease-free hemp seeds were extracted by ultrasonication and solid-phase extraction. When the mycotoxin standards were added to an extract of disease-free hemp seeds, separation of all four mycotoxins from hemp seed components was eventually achieved, indicating the potential to identify mycotoxins in diseased seeds. Future work will involve separating mycotoxins from the components of floral and leaf tissue and developing a method to quantify the separated mycotoxins.