Occurrence of Fumonisins and Moniliformin in Corn and Corn-Based Food Products of U.S. Origin†

Abstract

Food-grade corn and corn-based food products intended for human consumption were analyzed for the incidence and levels of fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), moniliformin, and Fusarium molds. A total of 100 food-grade commercial corn samples were obtained from two corn processing companies at five different locations in the United States. Seventy-one percent of the samples contained FB1 with concentrations ranging from 43 to 1,642 μg/kg. None of the samples contained FB2. Fifty percent of the samples contained moniliformin with concentrations ranging from 26 to 774 μg/kg. All samples were infected by Fusarium molds, and the infection rates ranged from 8 to 88%. Thirty-four samples of corn-based food products were purchased from supermarkets in Arizona, California, Nebraska, and Ohio. Sixty-five percent of the samples contained FB1, ranging in concentrations from 28 to 2,679 μg/kg. FB2 was detected in 29% of the samples with concentrations ranging from 30 to 797 μg/kg. Sixty-eight percent of the samples contained moniliformin with concentrations ranging from 31 to 858 μg/kg. Sixty-two percent of the samples contained viable Fusarium mold propagules ranging from 9.5 × 101 to 5.5 × 105/g. The simultaneous occurrence of FB1 and moniliformin was observed in 34% of corn samples and 53% of corn-based food products. This study has shown co-occurrence of fumonisins and moniliformin in food-grade corn and corn-based foods that indicates a risk of simultaneous exposure of consumers to both toxins.