Alternaria species and related mycotoxin detection in Lebanese durum wheat grain

Alternaria is a ubiquitous genus that may infect wheat in many countries, causing the disease black point. The present study aimed to assess contamination by fungi, of durum kernels from Lebanon, and identify main species contaminants. was detected majority (97%) inspected fields. Contamination differed among samples according their geographical origins. greatest West Bekaa area (average 59%), followed Akkar (55%), lowest observed Baalbeck (2%). HPLC-DAD analyses performed on grain showed altenuene, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, tenuazonic acid were not any sample. Phylogenetic analyses, based DNA sequences ?-tubulin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase calmodulin gene fragments, field strains belonged two major sections: (51%) Infectoriae (40%). remaining separate clades sections Ulocladioides (3%), Chalastospora (3%) Pseudoalternaria (3%). Although this revealed no mycotoxins, potential risk mycotoxin accumulation remains high due widespread occurrence toxigenic kernels.