Aflatoxins in Maize: A Mexican Perspective

Association between Tortilla Consumption and Human Urinary Fumonisin B1 Levels in a Mexican Population

“…According to Food and Agriculture Organization data for the year 2005, per capita maize consumptions were 70, 104, and 120 kg in the United States, South Africa, and Mexico, respectively (7). In Mexico, 60% of the total maize production will be used for human consumption, and an average consumption of tortillas (the most common maize-based food) can be as high as 325 g/d per person (8).…”

Aflatoxins Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Biotechnological Approaches for Control in Crops

“…The latter two components have an indirect influence since their effects only reduce aflatoxin contamination but do not prevent it. Although differences among genotypes have been found, heritability of the trait appears to be low, and the genotype/environment interaction may often mask true differences among genotypes (Plasencia, 2004). There are many new and exciting pre-harvest prevention strategies being explored that involve new biotechnologies.…”

“…Cry-type proteins constitute a family of insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringensis, whose genes have been incorporated into several crops to confer protection against insect pests. In corn, several hybrids expressing distinct Cry-type proteins have been developed and widely used in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and other maize-producing countries (Plasencia, 2004). The distribution of aflatoxin in agricultural commodities has been fairly well characterized because of its importance to food supply.…”

“…In Mexico the wide genetic diversity of maize has not been fully exploited to identify resistance to aflatoxin contamination in breeding programs, thus impeding the reduction of aflatoxin levels in the field. Additional complications come from the fact that transgenic maize expressing insecticidal protein or any other trait to reduce aflatoxin is not viable in Mexico due to a government prohibition on the use of genetically modified maize (Plasencia, 2004). Four major genetically controlled components for which variability exist appear to be involved in determining the fate of A. flavus-grain interaction: 1) resistance to the infection process, 2) resistance to toxin production, 3) plant resistance to insect damage, and 4) tolerance to environmental stress (Widstrom, 1987).…”

“…Naturally, nothing can be done to control ambient temperatures, but it is possible to avoid their full impact during the later stages of kernel filling by early planting ). Relative humidity above 86% also promotes colonization and aflatoxin production in the field (Plasencia, 2004). Fig.…”