Fumonisin levels in commercial corn products in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) were determined in 35 samples of corn flour and corn grits destined for human consumption and purchased directly from Buenos Aires food shops and supermarkets from October 1996 to January 1997 and during the month of January 1998. During the first period of sample collecting, 16 out of 19 samples were found to be contaminated. Considering all 19 samples, contamination levels were between not detected and 1860 ng/g FB1, and from not detected to 768 ng/g FB2. During the second period all 16 samples were found to be contaminated with levels ranging from 75 to 4987 ng/g FB1, and from not detected to 1818 ng/g FB2. The levels of FB1 and FB2 in the samples collected during January 1998 were significantly higher than the samples collected during the period from October 1996 to January 1997. No significant difference was found in terms of fumonisin levels between the branded and unbranded samples.

Incidence and abundance of mycotoxins in maize in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The levels of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin A, zearalenone and sterigmatocystin were determined by thin-layer chromatography in 36 samples of stored maize in the state of Rio Grande do Sul; the samples were obtained from May to September 1988, 23 samples were from silos and 13 samples were collected directly from farms. In 34.8% of the samples from silos aflatoxin B1+G1 was detected in concentrations that varied from 12 to 906 micrograms/kg. In 13% of the samples from silos aflatoxin B2 was detected in concentrations that varied from 48 to 180 micrograms/kg. In 9% of the samples from silos aflatoxin G2 was detected in concentrations that varied from 6 to 11 micrograms/kg. In 23% of the samples collected directly from farms aflatoxin B1+G1 was detected in concentrations that varied from 10 to 14 micrograms/kg. Ochratoxin A, zearalenone and sterigmatocystin were not detected at any time.