Prevalence of Fumonisin Contamination in Corn and Corn-based Feeds in Taiwan

Yeong-Hsiang Cheng,Jih-Fang Wu,Der-Nan Lee,Che-Ming J Yang

doi:10.5713/ajas.2002.610

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of fumonisin contamination in corn and corn-based feeds in Taiwan. A total of 233 samples was collected from 8 feed mill factories located in four different regions in Taiwan. The presence of fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) was determined by thin layer chromatograph, while the total fumonisin content was determined using immuno-affinity column cleanup and fluorometer quantitation. Our results showed that 55 samples of swine feeds had the highest percentage of incidence of FB1 and FB2 (41.8% and 41.8%, respectively), followed by 66 samples of duck feeds (40.9% and 37.8%). However, the percentage of incidence of FB1 and FB2 was much lower in 43 samples of broiler feeds (23.2% and 13.9%) and 69 samples of corn (17.3% and 10.1%). Corn and duck feeds were found to have a significant higher level of means of total fumonisins (5.4±1.5 and 5.8±0.6 ppm, respectively) than swine feeds (2.9±0.4 ppm) and broiler feeds (3.0±0.5 ppm). Comparing fumonisins distribution in different regions, the highest percentage of FB1 incidence (39.2%) was found in the eastern region of Taiwan, and total fumonisins level (4.5±0.7 ppm) was significantly higher than other regions. However, the highest percentage of FB2 incidence (32.0%) was found in the central region of Taiwan. Trimonthly analysis of data showed that both high percentage of FB1 and FB2 incidence (39.3% and 37.7%) and total concentration of fumonisin (5.7±0.4 ppm) were found in the period of Jan. to Mar., The incidence and concentration were significantly higher than other trimothly periods. These results indicate that fumonisin B mycotoxins are both widespread and persistent in feed-grade corn and corn-based feeds in Taiwan. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 4 : 610-614)

Highlights

Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum fungi are ubiquitous in white and yellow corn worldwide (Bezuidenhout et al, 1988; Gelderblom et al, 1988; Steyn, 1995; Shephard et al, 1996)
The fumonisin spots on thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate are shown in figure 1
The spots occurred as reddish purple, and the retention factors (Rf) for fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) were 0.61 and 0.76, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum fungi are ubiquitous in white and yellow corn worldwide (Bezuidenhout et al, 1988; Gelderblom et al, 1988; Steyn, 1995; Shephard et al, 1996). These fungi have been identified as the source of fumonisin mycotoxins. Fumonisins commonly present in corn before and after harvest are fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), and fumonisin B3 (FB3) They were isolated and chemically identified in South Africa (Bezuidenhout et al, 1988). These mycotoxins are known to be responsible for the major toxicological effects of this fungus in animals including leukoencephalomalacia in edu.tw

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