Abstract
In the present study, the frequency of toxigenic fungi and occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and total fumonisins (FBs) in the kernels of six maize hybrids from different FAO maturity groups (ZP 341, ZP 427, ZP 434, ZP 560, ZP 606, ZP 666) in three localities (Belosavci, Ladjevci and Divci) in Serbia, during the harvest in 2013, was investigated. Using standard mycological tests of maize kernels, the presence of potentially toxigenic fungi species from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium was found. In the studied localities, species Fusarium verticillioides was the most frequently isolated from the most hybrids, with a maximum frequency of 30%, while the presence of Aspergillus spp. ranged from 0 to 16%, and Penicillium spp. from 0 to 20%. By applying Immunoadsorbent enzymatic assay (ELISA) the concentrations of AFB1, DON and FBs were determined in maize. The differences between tested hybrids in the level of mycotoxins in kernels were statistically significant (P?0.01) for DON and FBs, but not for the content of AFB1. Also, the interaction between the hybrid and location was significant (P?0.01) for the level of DON and FBs, while there was no statistical significance for the level of AFB1. Maximum values of AFB1, DON and FBs level were 1.02 ?g kg-1 (ZP 427), 12 ?g kg-1 (ZP 341) and 1528.56 ?g kg-1 (ZP 427). The concentrations of the tested mycotoxins in kernels did not exceed the maximum allowed limits stipulated by Serbian regulations (Sluzbeni glasnik RS, 2014). Given that agro-ecological conditions in Serbia are favourable for the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins, it is necessary to exert the control of maize kernels annually, in harvest and postharvest periods.
Highlights
Maize is one of the economically most important cultivated plants in Serbia and around the world and is the main energy source for animal feed
Given that agro-ecological conditions in Serbia are favourable for the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins, it is necessary to exert the control of maize kernels annually, in harvest and postharvest periods
Toxigenic fungal species can develop in maize crops in the field and during storage and contaminate food and/or feed with mycotoxins that exhibit toxic effects in animals and humans (Biagi, 2009)
Summary
Maize is one of the economically most important cultivated plants in Serbia and around the world and is the main energy source for animal feed. Toxigenic fungal species can develop in maize crops in the field and during storage and contaminate food and/or feed with mycotoxins that exhibit toxic effects in animals and humans (Biagi, 2009). Aflatoxin is a problem in many food stuffs, but it is the primary problem in maize. This is because the maize is infected yet in the field which is in relation to external environmental conditions. Contamination of maize kernels depends on the co-existence of sensitivity of hybrids and environmental conditions suitable for fungal infection, development and toxinogenesis (Blandino et al., 2009)
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