Abstract
This study investigated the distribution of twelve mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2; ochratoxin A; fumonisins B1 and B2; deoxynivalenol; nivalenol; zearalenone; T-2 toxin; and HT-2 toxin) in corn and corn by-products (corn bran, cornstarch, corn gluten, corn gluten feed, corn germ, light steep water, and corn steep liquor) produced by wet-milling in Korea. Fifty-two samples were collected from three factories producing cornstarch and other corn by-products. The samples were pretreated on an immunoaffinity column (IAC), and then the levels of the 12 mycotoxins were analyzed simultaneously by liquid chromatography-coupled triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fusarium mycotoxins were mainly found in raw corn and corn gluten feed samples. Other mycotoxins—such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, and HT-2 toxin—were detected in tiny amounts below the limit of quantification (LOQ) in cornstarch, corn germ, and corn bran. Ochratoxin A and nivalenol were mainly carried over into cornstarch. Aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and the fumonisins were concentrated in corn gluten feed. Zearalenone was evenly distributed in all corn by-products except cornstarch during the milling process.
Highlights
Various mycotoxins—including aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxins (OTs), and fumonisins (FUMs)—are produced by fungal strains during the growth, harvesting, storage, and distribution of cereals such as wheat, barley, corn, and peanuts
Mycotoxins in corn can be transferred to corn by-products during food processing
12 mycotoxins were simultaneously analyzed by LC-MS/MS in corn by-products produced by wet-milling in Korea
Summary
Various mycotoxins—including aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxins (OTs), and fumonisins (FUMs)—are produced by fungal strains during the growth, harvesting, storage, and distribution of cereals such as wheat, barley, corn, and peanuts. These mycotoxins are chemically and thermally stable, surviving cereal processing and various storage conditions [1]. AFs are the most toxic and powerful natural carcinogens among all mycotoxins [2] They are mainly produced by Aspergillus species (e.g., A. flavus and A. parasiticus) through the polyketide. Many Fusarium mycotoxins—including nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins (FUMs), and T-2 toxin (T-2)—are distributed widely in cereal products, mainly wheat and maize
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