OCCURRENCE OF CORN MYCOTOXINS IN GALICIA (NORTHWEST SPAIN)

A systematic study of the presence and concentration of pathogenic fungi and mycotoxins in corn in Galicia was carried out during a 3-year period with special attention to the influence of the storage method. Toxicity assays (Artemia salina and rabbit skin test) followed by chromatographic analysis showed the presence of zearalenone (0.8-9.6 ppm) and deoxynivalenol (43-315 ppb) in a significant number of samples while aflatoxins, T-2 toxin, and diacetoxyscirpenol were not detected. Ten different fungus species were isolated from the toxic samples. Eight of these species were Fusarium, of which Fusarium monoliforme and Fusarium poae were the most common. Although the 1984 collection was found to be more toxic than those of 1985 and 1986, no relationship could be established between the toxicity of samples, the general climatic data, and the hybrid of autochthonous character of corn. However three geographical areas were found to have a higher incidence of toxic samples. In addition, the storage procedure was found to greatly influence the development of mycotoxins. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.