Natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in field samples from the 1992 Wisconsin corn crop

Abstract

Analysis of 98 moldy corn samples collected in Wisconsin between November 1992 and January 1993 for Fusarium toxins by various immunochemical assays revealed overall average mycotoxin concentrations of 305.6, 237.7, and 904.3 ng/g for type A trichothecenes (TCTCs), deoxynivalenol (DON)-related type B TCTCs (total DON), and zearalenone (ZE), respectively. A small portion (5.1%) of the samples was found to be contaminated with high levels (>1 g/g) of type A TCTCs and total DON during the whole survey. Over 40% of the samples had 100 to 1,000 ng of total DON per g, while 17% of the samples had the same levels of type A TCTCs. The analytical data were consistent with those from mycological examinations for the samples in which various toxic Fusarium spp., including F. sporotrichioides, F. poae, and F. graminearum, were found. The samples received in November 1992 had relatively low concentrations of toxin; the average levels of type A TCTCs and total DON were 9.9 and 79 ng/g, respectively. The toxin concentrations became progressively higher in the samples received in December. The average levels for the type A TCTCs and total DON increased to 920 and 335 ng/g, respectively. However, the levels of ZE were higher in the samples collected earlier. The average levels for samples collected in November and late December were 1,195 and 242 ng/g, respectively. Analysis of selected samples by high-performance liquid chromatography monitoring with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, neosolaniol, and T-2 tetraol (T-2-4ol) were common in these samples. Statistical analysis revealed a weak correlation between the levels of total type A TCTCs and total DON in the samples (r ‫؍‬ 0.18, P ‫؍‬ 0.09), but a strong correlation between the levels of ZE and total type B TCTCs (r ‫؍‬ 0.75, P < 0.0001) was found. The mycotoxin levels of total type A TCTCs, total DON-related type B TCTCs, and ZE in the cobs (5.2, 3.9, and 21 g/g, respectively) were considerably higher than those in the kernels (1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 g/g, respectively). The type A toxin levels increased from a range of 14 to 35 ng/g to a range of 110 to 538 ng/g after the moldy corn samples were held at 5؇C for 8 days in the laboratory.

Impact of a Natural Fusarial Multi-Mycotoxin Challenge on Broiler Chickens and Mitigation Properties Provided by a Yeast Cell Wall Extract and a Postbiotic Yeast Cell Wall-Based Blend

“…Mycotoxins produced by several groups of fungi under favorable biotic and abiotic stress conditions [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] can have negative effects on livestock such as impaired kidney [ 4 , 5 ] and liver function [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], neurological impacts inducing emesis or anorexia [ 9 , 10 ], immunosuppression [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], growth retardation [ 14 , 15 ] and reproductive problems [ 16 ]. The simultaneous presence of different Fusarium fungal toxins along with Aspergillus and/or Penicillium spp.…”

Evaluation of Reduced Toxicity of Zearalenone by Extrusion Processing As Measured by the MTT Cell Proliferation Assay

“…Zearalenone occurs throughout the world in cereal grains such as maize, wheat, barley, oats, and rye (3) and also in processed cereal-based foods such as flakes and bread (4), corn pancakes (5), and beer (6). Zearalenone was shown to be produced on corn by Fusarium isolates from Europe (7) and North America (8) as well as in New Zealand (9) and Southeast Asia (10). Zearalenone was found at a mean concentration of 904.3 ng/g in Wisconsin corn (8).…”

Possible Role of Plant Phenolics in the Production of Trichothecenes by Fusarium graminearum Strains on Different Fractions of Maize Kernels

“…The toxic effects of mycotoxins on animals and humans are well documented ( , ). These compounds have been reported worldwide as contaminants of cereals ( − ). It has been demonstrated that TCTs are heat stable ( , ) and that their transmission through processed food is a potential problem ( , ).…”