A survey of fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and aflatoxins contamination in corn-based food products in Argentina

The presence of mycotoxins in corn-based foods available in Argentina was d etermined in order to make a preliminary exposure assessment. Thirty-eight samples [corn meal ('polenta') and corn flakes] of different local brands w ere analysed for zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and aflatoxins by TLC and fumo nisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) by HPLC. None of the 38 samples contained any det ectable amount of aflatoxins (< 2 mu g/kg), zearalenone (< 50 mu g/kg) and deoxynivalenol (< 50 mu g/kg). By contrast fumonisin contamination was foun d in 95% of the samples. The highest fumonisin levels were found in corn me al: FB1 (range positives: 60-2860 mu g/kg; mean positive value. 556 mu g/kg ), FB2 (61-1090 mu g/kg, 232 mu g/kg) and FB3 (18-1015 mu g/kg; 150 mu g/kg ). Low levels of fumonisin B-1 were detected in 16/17 corn flakes samples ( 2-38 mu g/kg). Total fumonisin levels in corn meal were more than 1000 mu g /kg in 24% (5/21) of the samples. Although it is Mot the staple food in Arg entina, maize consumption is very important, especially among children. A d aily fumonisin intake of 11.3 mu g/kg of body weight was estimated for chil d consumers (1-5 years old) based on an average consumption of 200 g of cor n meal/day. Calculated at an average rate for all children (consumers or no t) the intake estimate was 0.9 mu g/kg of body weight.