Aflatoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and fumonisin contamination of maize from the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Abstract

Aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FUMs), zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) have been recognized as major contaminants of maize. Therefore, the presence of AFs, ZEA, DON and FUMs was examined in a total of 100 maize samples from the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Sample analyses were performed using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The results obtained indicate that 74 % of the maize samples were contaminated with FUMs (540.1-5076 μg/kg), followed by 52 % contaminated with DON (275.2-882.1 μg/kg), 15 % contaminated with ZEA (35.6-183.5 μg/kg) and 5 % contaminated with AFs (2.28-4.31 μg/kg). Although 78 % of the samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin, the concentration of FUMs exceed the maximum level (ML) proscribed by the Serbian regulations only in 4 % of the samples. Furthermore, the detected concentrations of AFs, ZEA and DON were in accordance with national regulations. This study is the first research of its kind on the presence of AFs, ZEA, DON and FUMs in maize harvested in the APV in 2016.

Keywords

• mycotoxins
• maize
• monitoring