Changes in the concentrations of fumonisin, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in corn silage during ensilage

Abstract

We assessed the production of the mycotoxins fumonisin, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone during the ensiling of corn. Corn was harvested at yellow-ripe or full-ripe stage and separated into the stem and leaf parts and the ear parts, including bracts. Each material was ensiled under five conditions: (1) no fungus added, anaerobic conditions; (2) no fungus added, aerobic conditions; (3) mycotoxin-producing fungus added, anaerobic conditions; (4) mycotoxin-producing fungus added, aerobic conditions; and (5) mycotoxin-producing fungus added to autoclaved material, aerobic conditions. After 40 days of ensilage, we analyzed the silage fermentative quality and mycotoxin concentration. The fermentative quality of all materials was good in treatments (1) and (3), because the pH < 4 increased the lactic acid content preventing mycotoxin levels from increasing. In treatments (2) and (4), fermentative quality of all materials was poor, and mycotoxin levels were slightly increased. In treatment (5), fermentative quality was poor, and mycotoxin levels were increased remarkably. These results indicate that mycotoxins are not produced under anaerobic conditions and are hardly produced under aerobic condition during the ensiling of corn. Our findings suggest that almost all mycotoxins in corn silage are produced pre-harvest.