Fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, zearalenone and ochratoxin A contamination of maize in Croatia

Food Addit Contam. 2005 Jul;22(7):677-80. doi: 10.1080/02652030500132927.

Abstract

Mycotoxins are products of moulds that frequently contaminate maize. In this study the presence of mycotoxins fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) was determined in 49 maize grain samples collected in autumn 2002. The most frequent finding was that of FB1(100%), followed by ZEA (84%) and OTA (39%), while FB2 was found only in three samples. The co-occurrence of two and three mycotoxins was found in 55 and 37% of samples, respectively. The concentrations (mean +/- SD) of FB1, ZEA and OTA in positive samples were 459.8 +/- 310.7, 3.84 +/- 6.68 and 1.47 +/- 0.38 microg kg(-1), respectively, and the concentrations of FB2 in three positive samples were 68.4, 109.2 and 3084.0 microg kg(-1). Although such low concentrations of mycotoxins are not a significant source of exposure in countries with a European diet, a few samples with extreme values indicate that thorough control is needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinogens / analysis
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Croatia
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Food Contamination*
  • Fumonisins / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Mycotoxins / analysis
  • Ochratoxins / analysis*
  • Rain
  • Zea mays / chemistry*
  • Zearalenone / analysis*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Fumonisins
  • Mycotoxins
  • Ochratoxins
  • fumonisin B2
  • ochratoxin A
  • fumonisin B1
  • Zearalenone