Natural Occurrence Of Fumonisins Research Articles

Natural occurrence of fumonisins and characteristics of pamonhas sweet type from Southern Brazil

ABSTRACTFresh and frozen pamonhas, a native Brazilian food made with sweet corn (Zea mays L.), similar to the Mexican tamal, which has been incorporated into the country’s diet, were investigated for fumonisins (FBs: FB1 and FB2) contamination and product characteristics. The laboratory conditions of the applied fumonisins method with liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection were validated. Five out of the total samples showed FBs contamination above the national maximum level of 1000–1500 µg/kg. Despite this, in 59.6% (31) of the samples FB1 and in 23.1% (12) FB2 could be detected. The pamonhas characteristics did not show uniformity among the brands surveyed. The moisture content of 59.4% and water activity of 0.97 for both (fresh and frozen) samples showed to be suitable conditions for fungal growth. One sample had a quite high pH. It is essential to establish guidance criteria for pamonha production by the regulatory agencies.

Exposure assessment of dogs to mycotoxins through consumption of dry feed.

The Brazilian exportation of pet food has shown high growth rates in the last two years and determination of the exposure degree is one of the most important parameters for the risk assessment of chemical compounds. In this study the exposure degree of dogs to mycotoxins was estimated and acceptable daily intake (ADI) and safe pet dietary level (SPDL) were calculated. Thus the natural occurrence of fumonisins, zearalenone and aflatoxins was evaluated in 100 dry dog feed samples provided by pet owners in Paraná State, Brazil. Despite the high frequency of fumonisins (68%), zearalenone (95%) and aflatoxins (68%) in feed samples, the mean levels detected were low. ADI for fumonisins and zearalenone was 20.0 and 1.00 µg kg(-1) body weight (BW) day(-1) respectively and SPDL for fumonisins was 2000 µg kg(-1) feed. The probable daily intake values (1.83 µg fumonisins, 0.93 µg zearalenone and 0.02 µg aflatoxins kg(-1) BW day(-1) ) were low. The exposure degree of dogs could be assumed to be very low. However, the co-occurrence of these three or other mycotoxins, and possible synergic or additive effects, should be taken into account when determining the maximum allowed levels or risk assessment. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins and ochratoxin A in some herbs and spices commercialized in Poland analyzed by UPLC–MS/MS method

Unsanitary conditions during harvesting, drying, packing and storage stages in production and processing of spices and herbs could introduce mycotoxin contamination. The occurrence of ochratoxin A and fumonisins in popular spices and herbs was studied, using liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry. Apart from mycotoxins, ergosterol as a factor indicating fungal development was also analysed. A total of 79 different samples commercialized in Poland were randomly purchased from popular markets were tested for mycotoxins. The frequency of samples with fumonisins was lower (31%) than ochratoxin A (49%). Free from mycotoxins were samples of bay leaf and white mustard. ERG content – in spice samples with high concentration level of mycotoxins – was also significantly higher than in samples with little to no mycotoxins.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins in corn puff in Argentina

Maize presents a substantial contamination by fumonisins (FB) throughout the world. In particular, Argentina presents a high frequency of positive samples and levels of up to 10,000μg/kg of total FB, depending on the harvest campaign studied. Corn puff, an extruded product of high consumption among children and adolescent populations, was analyzed with the aim of determining the presence and levels of fumonisins B1, B2 and B3. In the present study, 20 samples of different brands were collected from commercial stores. Two solvent systems, two types of agitation, and the number of extractions were tested in order to find the most suitable method to establish the level of fumonisins in corn puff. Extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. A C18 column and precolumn derivatization with orthophtalaldialdehyde were utilized. The average of fumonisins found in 20 samples was 257.5μg/kg (n = 19), 70.4μg/kg (n = 14) and 73.3μg/kg (n = 6) for FB1, FB2 and FB3, on positive samples, respectively. These are the first analyses in Argentina of this type of product, highlighting the need to continue the studies in the processing industries because, despite the extrusion process that the raw material suffers, a sample was found with a contamination of 1,649μg/kg total fumonisins.

Fungal contamination and mycotoxin natural occurrence in oats for race horses feeding in Argentina

A mycological survey was carried out for the first time, on oat samples with hull collected in the Argentinean province of Entre Ríos in 2006. Twenty-three oat samples were evaluated. Aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins were also analysed. Species of the genus Alternaria were the most prevalent component of the oats mycoflora. Species belonging to Aspergillus, Fusarium, Arthrinium, Acremonium and Curvularia genera were also recorded. The predominant species of these isolated genera were Alternaria alternata (0.59 of specific relative density) and Aspergillus flavus (0.34). Aflatoxins, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol were not detected in all samples and only fumonisin B 1 was detected in two samples from Entre Ríos Province at low concentration levels (108.0 and 105.0 μg/kg). Based on the observed prevalence of Alternaria alternata, the potential presence of toxins such as tenuazonic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether may pose a contamination risk for oats produced in Entre Ríos Province. On the other hand, according to the incidence of Aspergillus flavus in the samples coming from Buenos Aires, under inappropriate storage conditions aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid might be produced. The fumonisins concentration found in the Argentinean oats did not represent a threat to animal health for high consumers of oats. The present study has provided, for the first time, information on the internal mycoflora of oats and natural occurrence of fumonisins in Argentina.

Fumonisins in Maize in Relation to Climate, Planting Time and Hybrids in Two Agroecological Zones in Zambia

Field experiments in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) and the medium rainfall zone (MRZ) in Zambia were designed to determine the natural occurrence of fumonisins (FB(1-2)) in Zambian maize hybrids, accumulation of FB(1-2) resulting from artificial inoculation with Fusarium verticillioides and effects of climate and planting time on FB(1-2) in maize. Combined FB(1-2) concentrations varied from 0 to 13,050 ng/g, with an overall mean of 666 ng/g. Maize from the HRZ had low incidences of FB(1-2)-positive samples (mean 41%) which contained FB(1-2) below 500 ng/g. In the MRZ, higher incidences (mean 97%) and concentrations (40% of samples >1,000 ng/g) were recorded in two out of three years. There was no correlation between mean location FB(1-2) concentrations in individual years and precipitation, number of rain days or monthly precipitation. Postponing the planting time with 10 or 20 days did not significantly affect FB(1-2) concentration, but it reduced the yields in some years.

Natural occurrence of fumonisin B 1 in dried figs as an unexpected hazard

Occurrence of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1) in dried figs was determined using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after extraction with methanol–water and clean-up. One hundred and fifty five dried fig samples were taken while the figs were drying in 7 different districts in the Aegean Region in 2003 and 2004. FB 1 contamination were determined in 86 of 115 samples at detectable levels. Average FB 1 level was 0.369 and 0.466 in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Overall mean for FB 1 was calculated as 0.315 μg/g; overall median was 0.080 μg/g. The FB 1 content of positive samples ranged from 0.046 and 3.649 μg/g, while only 9.6% of the samples contained FB 1 above 1 μg/g. FB 1 contamination in the dried fig samples in 2004 (79.6%) was higher than in 2003 (71.8%). Selcuk (0.565 μg/g) was ranked first among means; however the highest incidences of FB 1 contamination was determined in dried figs from Incirliova (84.6%). This is the first report of occurrence of FB 1 in dried figs.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins in corn from Iran.

Corn collected in the Mazandaran and Isfahan Provinces of Iran was analyzed for fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), fumonisin B(2) (FB(2)), and fumonisin B(3) (FB(3)). The samples from Mazandaran Province, situated on the Caspian littoral of Iran, were random samples from farmers' corn lots collected in September 1998, whereas those from Isfahan Province, situated further south in the center of Iran, were bought as corn cobs in the local retail market during October 1998. All 11 samples from Mazandaran showed high levels of fumonisin contamination with FB(1) levels between 1.270 and 3.980 microg/g, FB(2) levels between 0.190 and 1.175 microg/g, and FB(3) levels between 0.155 and 0.960 microg/g. Samples from Isfahan showed lower levels of contamination with eight of eight samples having detectable FB(1) (0.010-0.590 microg/g), two of eight samples having detectable FB(2) (0.050-0.075 microg/g), and two of eight samples having detectable FB(3) (0.050-0.075 microg/g). This is the first report of fumonisin contamination of corn from Iran, in which samples from the area of high esophageal cancer on the Caspian littoral have been shown to contain high levels of fumonisins.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins B(1) and B(2) in domestic maize of Taiwan.

Samples of maize grown in various districts of Taiwan were collected and analyzed for the presence of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) and fumonisin B(2) (FB(2)) using high-performance liquid chromatography. Forty-nine (44.5%) and 2 (1.8%) of 110 samples were found to contain FB(1) (109-1148 ng/g) and FB(2) (222-255 ng/g), respectively. The frequency of detection and also the maximum FB(1) concentration were found in samples from Penton (2/2, 262 ng/g), followed by Chiayi (18/26, 264 ng/g), Tainan (8/16, 160 ng/g), Hualinen (5/14, 1148 ng/g), Taitung (7/20, 109 ng/g), and Yunlin (9/26, 361 ng/g). Of the 110 samples examined, only 2 samples from Hualinen had been detected containing FB(2). During an analysis of the distribution pattern of FB(1), it became apparent that >79% of tested samples had FB(1) concentrations <100 ng/g, whereas 2.7% (or 3 samples) contained FB(1) >300 ng/g. These results clearly illustrated that domestically produced maize for human consumption is frequently contaminated with FB(1).

P3A21 - Natural occurrence of fumonisin B 1 in Egyptian markets corn

P3A21 - Natural occurrence of fumonisin B 1 in Egyptian markets corn

Natural Occurrence of Fumonisins in Rice with Fusarium Sheath Rot Disease.

Twenty samples of rough rice (Oryza sativa) (unpolished kernels) collected during the 1995 harvest season from Arkansas (seven samples) and Texas (13 samples) were obtained from rice fields known to include plants with symptoms of Fusarium sheath rot putatively caused by Fusarium proliferatum. Samples were analyzed for fumonisin B1 (FB1) at three laboratories using three different extracting solvents by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Forty percent of the samples were positive for FB1 at levels ≤4.3 μg/g by HPLC. The same samples contained FB1 at ≤3.6 μg/g when measured by an ELISA method. Most samples that were positive for FB1 were positive for fumonisin B2 (FB2) and fumonisin B3 (FB3) by HPLC at levels ≤1.2 μg/g. Very good agreement was obtained among the two laboratories using HPLC methods and the third using ELISA. Shelling of the unpolished rice results in hull and brown rice fractions. In a sample that contained 4.3 μg/g in whole kernels, the fumonisin level was very high in hulls (≤16.8 μg/g) and low in brown rice (≤0.9 μg/g). Milling of brown rice results in bran and white rice fractions. Fumonisins were found in bran at a level of ≤3.7 μg/g but were below the level of detection by HPLC in white rice. The presence of fumonisins (FB1, FB2, and FB3) was confirmed by fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry. This is the first report of fumonisins in naturally contaminated rice in the United States.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins in corn-based foodstuffs in Taiwan

Natural occurrence of fumonisins in corn-based foodstuffs in Taiwan

Natural Occurrence of Fumonisin B1 and Its Co-occurrence with Aflatoxin B1 in Indian Sorghum, Maize, and Poultry Feeds

A total of 138 samples consisting of 19 rain-affected sorghum, 25 rain-affected maize, 35 normal maize, 44 normal sorghum, and 14 poultry feed samples collected from six different places were analyzed for fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1. All the rain-affected sorghum and maize samples were contaminated with fumonisin B1 in the range 0.07−8 and 0.04−65 mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand 26 normal maize samples and 2 normal sorghum samples were contaminated with fumonisin B1 at levels ranging from 0.01 to 5 and 0.15 to 0.51 mg/kg. Fumonisin B1 contamination in the poultry feed samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.26 mg/kg. All of the rain-affected samples and poultry feed samples were contaminated with aflatoxin B1. 20% of normal sorghum and 89% of normal maize samples also contained aflatoxin B1 in the range of 5−125 and 0.38−109 μg/kg, respectively. This study reports for the first time the natural co-occurrence of fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1 in Indian maize and poultry feeds. Keywords: Fumonisin B1; aflatox...

Natural occurrence of fumonisins and their correlation to Fusarium contamination in commercial corn hybrids growth in Argentina

Fifty commercial corn hybrids with different endosperm characteristics, vegetative cycle length and cross class grown in the same geographical area (Cordoba Province, Argentina) were analysed for fumonisin accumulation. All hybrids analysed showed fumonisin B(1) and B(2) contamination ranging from 185 to 27,050 ng/g for FB(1) and from 40 to 9950 ng/g for FB(2). Although most of the hybrids analysed had flint-type endosperm, two hybrids with dent-type endosperm (e.g. Prozea 10 and AX 746) showed the highest level of fumonisin (37,000 ng/g) and more FB(2) than FB(1) (FB(2)/FB(1) ratio 2.42), respectively. There was no correlation between fumonisin concentration and length of the vegetative cycle. Among 18 hybrids examined for Fusarium species contamination there was also no correlation between fumonisin contamination and the level of infection with Fusarium species (Section Liseola). Eighteen hybrids showed fumonisin levels lower than 1000 ng/g. This result suggests that there is some possibility of selecting hybrids resistant or less susceptible to fumonisin and Fusarium contamination.

The natural occurrence of fumonisins in Brazilian corn kernels.

Since animal intoxication related to corn-based feed is frequently observed in the State of Paraná, Brazil, natural contamination by fumonisins in 48 corn samples (39 from the State of Paraná, and 9 from the Brazilian tropical states, Mato Grosso do Sul and Goias) harvested in 1990-1991 was investigated, along with fungal flora. The total mould count ranged from 6.3 x 10(2) to 5.5 x 10(7) cfu/g, and Fusarium moniliforme and Aspergillus species belonging to section Flavi were detected in 41 and 33 samples, respectively. Regarding the samples from the State of Paraná, F. moniliforme was present in 33 samples at a count of 1.0 x 10(2) to 1.6 x 10(7) cfu/g and Aspergillus spp. in section Flavi in 27 samples at 1.0 x 10(2) to 1.0 x 10(6) cfu/g. HPLC analysis of fumonisins in the corn showed that fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) were positive for 97.4% and 94.8% of samples respectively. All the corn from North Paraná was positive for fumonisins, with average FB1 levels of 4.79 micrograms/g and average FB2 levels of 3.95 micrograms/g: the Central-West region had average levels of 3.30 and 2.52 micrograms/g, and the Central-East had average of 3.25 and 2.34 micrograms/g, respectively. Except for one negative sample all the corn samples from the Central Region were positive for fumonisins, averaging FB1 levels being 5.45 micrograms/g and FB2 levels being 5.09 micrograms/g. Out of eight samples from the tropical state of Mato Grosso do Sul, F. moniliforme was detected in seven and Aspergillus spp. in section Flavi in five samples with average FB1 levels of 10.59 micrograms/g and average for FB2 levels of 10.31 micrograms/g. The samples from Goias were also contaminated with these two fungi, with the FB1 contamination being 5.83 and the FB2 contamination 3.62 micrograms/g.

The reliability and significance of analytical data on the natural occurrence of fumonisins in food.

Several methods are presently used to identify and quantify fumonisins in foods and feeds. HPLC procedures on derivatized fumonisins with fluorescence detection are most commonly used. The validity and significance of reported fumonisin levels depend on several factors such as the specificity, detection limit, accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical method as well as on the sampling procedure used, and the integrity and purity of the analytical standards. The importance of these factors is discussed and the results of two international collaborative studies are presented on the determination of fumonisins in corn by a reversed-phase HPLC method on o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) derivatized fumonisins using fluorescence detection.

Fumonisins B 1 and B 2 and toxigenic Fusarium strains in feeds from the Spanish market

Natural occurrence of fumonisins B 1 and B 2, incidence of Fusarium species, and capacity to produce fumonisins by Fusarium isolates, were investigated in 50 corn-based samples from Spain destined for animal consumption. Forty-four samples (88%) were found to be contaminated with fumonisins. The levels of contamination were very low, with a mean of 400 ng g in the samples. We investigated the capacity of 11 isolates of Fusarium moniliforme and 19 isolates of F. proliferatum to produce fumonisins. All F. proliferatum isolates and 8 out of the 11 F. moniliforme isolates assayed produced fumonisins on a corn medium. The FB 1 FB 2 ratio in the isolates ranged from 1.1 to 3.5.

Contamination of Indian maize with fumonisin B1and its effects on chicken macrophage

The natural occurrence of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ) in Indian maize and its impact on the viability and phagocytosis of chicken peritoneal macrophages in vitro were investigated. FB 1 was found to be present at the levels of 300-366 ppm in Fusarium moniliforme-infected maize grains. The infected kernels in a population of 100 ears showed normal (Gaussian) frequency distribution. FB 1 , extracted from the contaminated kernels, reduced the viability and phagocytic activity of macrophages. These findings imply that FB 1 exposure may become a potential problem in India and may lead to decreased immune responses with consequent susceptibility of a host to infection