Implications of Bt traits on mycotoxin contamination in maize: Overview and recent experimental results in southern United States

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Dec 4;61(48):11759-70. doi: 10.1021/jf400754g. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

Mycotoxin contamination levels in maize kernels are controlled by a complex set of factors including insect pressure, fungal inoculum potential, and environmental conditions that are difficult to predict. Methods are becoming available to control mycotoxin-producing fungi in preharvest crops, including Bt expression, biocontrol, and host plant resistance. Initial reports in the United States and other countries have associated Bt expression with reduced fumonisin, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone contamination and, to a lesser extent, reduced aflatoxin contamination in harvested maize kernels. However, subsequent field results have been inconsistent, confirming that fumonisin contamination can be reduced by Bt expression, but the effect on aflatoxin is, at present, inconclusive. New maize hybrids have been introduced with increased spectra of insect control and higher levels of Bt expression that may provide important tools for mycotoxin reduction and increased yield due to reduced insect feeding, particularly if used together with biocontrol and host plant resistance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Endotoxins / genetics*
  • Endotoxins / metabolism
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Food Safety
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics*
  • Hemolysin Proteins / metabolism
  • Mycotoxins / analysis*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / chemistry*
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / genetics
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / microbiology
  • United States
  • Zea mays / chemistry*
  • Zea mays / genetics
  • Zea mays / metabolism
  • Zea mays / microbiology

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • Mycotoxins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis