INCIDENCE OF FUMONISIN-B-1 MYCOTOXIN IN M AIZE CULTIVATED IN HUNGARY

This is the first report on the occurrence of fumonisin-B-1 mycotoxin in maize cultivated in Hungary. Fifty-six maize samples were investiga ted with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The samples were extracted in a mixture of methanol and water (3-1) and were purified i n a SAX SPE column. After a derivate production by OPA and mercaptoeth anol, fumonisin-B-1 mycotoxin was detected by a fluorescent detector d uring the HPLC analysis. Figure I shows the chromatogram of fumonisin- B-1 standard, Figure 2 that of a fumonisin-B-1 positive maize sample, while Figure 3 that of a fumonisin-B-1-negative maize sample. In 70% o f the moulded maize samples stored in the ear contained fumonisin-B-1 toxin in amounts varying between 0.066 to 33.4 mg/kg (Table). In a sam ple highly contaminated with moulds (Fig. 4), extremely high amounts o f fumonisin-B-1 content was measured (33.4 mg/kg, on an average). Low toxin concentrations (0.050 to 0.151 mg/kg) were found in 7% of the sa mples without any mould contamination. High amount of fumonisin-B-1 to xin detected in the ear of maize has indicated that in Hungary, it sho uld also be reckoned with the occurrence of diseases - leukoencephalom alacia in horses, pulmonary oedema in swine - caused by the toxin.