Estimated Fumonisin Exposure in Guatemala Is Greatest in Consumers of Lowland Maize ,

Abstract

Fumonisin mycotoxins contaminate maize worldwide. Analysis of maize samples (n = 396) collected from fields in Guatemala from 2000 to 2003 found that lowland maize (<360 m) had significantly more fumonisin B1 than highland maize (>1200 m). For example, 78% of the lowland samples collected at harvest in 2002 contained >0.3 microg/g of fumonisin B1, whereas only 2% of the highland samples contained >0.3 microg/g. Maize from the 2002 crop collected from storage in the highlands just before the 2003 harvest contained significantly more fumonisin B1 compared with levels at harvest in 2002. All Fusarium-infected kernels analyzed from 9 random lowland locations in 2001 were infected with fumonisin-producing Fusarium verticillioides and no other Fusarium species, whereas in samples from the highlands, only 5% of the Fusarium-positive kernels were F. verticillioides. In 2005, maize samples (n = 236) from the 2004 crop were collected from local markets in 20 Departments across Guatemala. The analysis showed that maize from lowland locations was often highly contaminated with fumonisin and was frequently transported to and sold in highland markets. Thus, fumonisin exposure in the highlands will be greatest in groups that obtain their maize in the market place from commercial vendors. Based on a recall study and published consumption data, a preliminary assessment of daily intake of total fumonisins was estimated. Consumption of nixtamalized maize products made from >50% of the maize from commercial vendors in 2005 could result in exposure exceeding the recommended WHO provisional maximal tolerable daily intake.

Maize Production in a Changing Climate

“…This shift in Fusarium species will result in a change in mycotoxins, from deoxynivalenol and zearalenone (produced by F. graminierum) to fumonisin (produced by F. verticillioides). Increased incidence of F. verticillioides and subsequent fumonisin contamination has already been reported in Guatemala, Mexico, Zimbabwe and Kenya (Torres et al, 2007).…”

Distinct generation, pharmacology, and distribution of sphingosine 1-phosphate and dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate in human neural progenitor cells

“…The incidence of NTDs is often high in populations where corn is a dietary staple and the diets are likely to be deficient in folic acid and other B vitamins (Marasas et al, 2004). In many of these areas the corn is frequently contaminated with high levels of fumonisin FB 1 (Torres et al, 2007) which has been shown to disrupt sphingolipid metabolism and induce NTD in mouse models (Gelineau-van Waes et al, 2009). …”

Urinary fumonisin B1 and estimated fumonisin intake in women from high‐ and low‐exposure communities in Guatemala

“…The total number of maize samples expected was eight to ten per sample period from each department for a total of 96–120 samples. While the total number of maize samples was relatively small, the levels of FB seen in these departments in surveys conducted in 2005, 2007 , and 2012 [unpublished data] has been surprisingly similar. Previous work has shown that Chimaltenango and Jutiapa are both departments where maize production exceeds maize consumption, this is not the case in Escuintla.…”

“…Additional details about the marketing of maize in Guatemala and the collection, storage, and processing of the maize samples are described in Torres et al. , Fuentes et al. , and the Supporting Information.…”