Deoxinivalenol deactivation in wheat grains treated with ammonia gas and its effect on Rattus norvegicus diet

ABSTRACT Fusarium head blight, also known as fusariosis, is caused by a fungus called Fusarium graminearum that produces the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). This toxin causes problems to human and animal health. Ammonia gas has been shown to be effective in deactivating mycotoxins. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of ammonia gas in the deactivation of DON in wheat grains, the effect of this treatment on its protein composition and the toxicity in rats fed with ammoniated wheat grains. Wheat samples were exposed to ammonia gas at concentrations of 0% (Control), 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%. It was observed that ammonia gas was effective in deactivating DON at concentrations of 1% and 1.5%. There was no difference in crude protein observed in the bromatological analysis of treated wheat grains in relation to the control. Regarding the toxicity of wheat grains treated with ammonia in the feeding of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), no histopathological alterations were observed in the liver, kidneys, intestine and in the hematological profile. The results of this study demonstrated that the treatment of wheat with ammonia gas can contribute to the deactivation of DON without compromising its protein composition and animal health.