Co-occurrence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, zearalenone and fumonisin B1 in Brazilian corn

Two hundred and fourteen unprocessed corn samples (1997-98 harvest), collected at wholesale markets in different regions in Brazil, were surveyed for the occurrence of mycotoxins. The samples were analysed for aflatoxins B-1, B-2, G(1), G(2), zearalenone and fumonisin B-1 using in-house validated methods. The occurrence of a_atoxin B-1, zearalenone and fumonisin B-1 was found in 38.3, 30.4 and 99.1% of the samples, respectively. Aflatoxin B-1, zearalenone and fumonisin B-1 contamination levels varied from 0.2 to 129, 36.8 to 719, and 200 to 6100 mug/kg, respectively. The cooccurrence of the two carcinogenic mycotoxins a_atoxin B-1 and fumonisin B-1 was observed in 100% of the aflatoxin-contaminated samples (82 samples). Cooccurrences of a_atoxin B-1: zearalenone: fumonisin B-1 and aflatoxin B-1: a_atoxin B-2: fumonisin B-1 were found in 18 and 43 samples, respectively.