Abstract
Mycotoxins contaminate crops worldwide and play a role in animal health and performance. Multiple mycotoxins may co-occur which may increase the impact on the animal. To assess the multiple mycotoxin profile of corn (Zea mays), we conducted a 7-year survey of new crop corn grain and silage in the United States. A total of 711 grain and 1117 silage samples were collected between 2013 and 2019 and analyzed for the simultaneous presence of 35 mycotoxins using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The measured mean number of mycotoxins per sample were 4.8 (grain) and 5.2 (silage), ranging from 0 to 13. Fusaric acid (FA) was most frequently detected in 78.1 and 93.8% of grains and silages, respectively, followed by deoxynivalenol (DON) in 75.7 and 88.2% of samples. Fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15ADON) followed. The greatest (p < 0.05) co-occurrence was between FA and DON in 59.1% of grains and 82.7% of silages, followed by FA with FB1, DON with 15ADON, and FA with 15ADON. Although many samples had lower mycotoxin concentrations, 1.6% (grain) and 7.9% (silage) of tested samples had DON ≥ 5000 µg/kg. Fumonisins were detected ≥ 10,000 µg/kg in 9.6 and 3.9% of grain and silage samples, respectively. Concentrations in grain varied by year for eight mycotoxin groups (p < 0.05), while all 10 groups showed yearly variations in silage. Our survey suggest that multiple mycotoxins frequently co-occur in corn grain and silage in the United States, and some of the more prevalent mycotoxins are those that may not be routinely analyzed (i.e., FA and 15ADON). Assessment of multiple mycotoxins should be considered when developing management programs.
Highlights
In the United States, corn (Zea mays) is an important grain and forage crop and is used as the primary energy ingredient in livestock feed
Measurable concentrations of mycotoxins were detected in 98.6% of corn grain samples with 90.2% of samples containing two or more mycotoxins (Table 1)
Results of our survey represent a snapshot of the mycotoxin contamination of corn grain and corn silage at harvest from across the United States between 2013 and 2019
Summary
In the United States, corn (Zea mays) is an important grain and forage crop and is used as the primary energy ingredient in livestock feed. Colonization and growth of these fungi can lead to a variety of impacts on the crop, such as reduced yield and altered quality, as well as mycotoxin contamination [2]. Mycotoxins, or secondary metabolites produced by molds, are problematic for livestock production due to capability of these compounds to modulate metabolism and microbial response including adverse effects on intestinal and immune health, reproduction, gain and efficiency [3]. The growth of molds and the production of mycotoxins is influenced by a variety of factors including climatic conditions, agronomic practices and physical handling of grains and plant material [4]. Mycotoxins can be produced at all steps of crop and feed production, i.e., before harvest, at harvest, during feedstuff storage, throughout feed processing, during storage of complete feeds or at feed out on-farm. Livestock are likely to consume mycotoxins which could lead to negative effects on health and performance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
