Mycotoxin detection of harvested maize kernels

Abstract

Mycotoxins are known to cause serious health problems in animals. Some mycotoxins such as fumonisins, aflatoxins and ochratoxins, in particular, have also been associated with human health problems. Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus section Flavi species, and fumonisins, produced by Fusarium verticillioides, are prominent among the mycotoxins associated to maize economic losses (Zea mays L.) (Kumar et al. 2008). There are many factors, especially environmental conditions and agricultural practices, involved in the production of mycotoxins (Chulze, 2010).The aim of this work was to detect whether mycotoxins were present in post-harvested maize. Ninety five maize samples collected from different agroclimatic regions of Portugal (Beira Litoral, Ribatejo, Alto Alentejo) were analyzed by HPLC for mycotoxin contamination. Mycotoxins were detected in 67% the samples. Sixty four percent of the samples were positive for FB1 and FB2. Only 8% of the samples were positive for aflatoxins (LOD of 0.1µg/Kg). Neither OTA (LOD of 0.04µg/Kg) nor CPA (LOD of 10µg/Kg) was detected in any sample.