DISTRIBUTION OF FUSARIUM MOLDS AND FUMONISINS IN DRY-MILLED CORN FRACTIONS

The distribution of Fusarium molds and fumonisins was determined in co mmercial and experimental dry-milled corn fractions. Fusarium infectio n of the commercial whole corn samples ranged from 10 to 28%; F. monil iforme was the predominant species. Fusarium counts in corn fractions were <100 colony-forming units (CFU)/g in flaking grits, <100 - 6.4 x 10(4) CFU/g in bran, <100 - 1.6 x 10(4) CFU/g in germ, and <100 - 2.7 x 10(3) CFU/g in flour. Fumonisin concentrations were less than or equ al to 0.1 mu g/g in flaking grits, 0.2-1.1 mu g/g in flour, 0.1-2.0 mu g/g in germ, and 1.5-3.2 mu g/g in bran. Yellow, blue, and white dent corns naturally contaminated with varying levels of fumonisins (25.4, 3.9, and 0.3 mu g of fumonisin B-1 per gram) and Fusarium molds (3.9 x 10(6), 8.0 x 10(5), and 2.6 x 10(4) CFU/g) were experimentally dry m illed with a horizontal drum degermer. Number 5 grits contained signif icantly lower Fusarium counts and fumonisin concentrations than the wh ole kernel corn. Fusarium counts and fumonisins increased as grit size decreased, and high Fusarium counts and fumonisin concentrations were found in germ, bran, and fines.