FUMONISIN LEVELS IN URUGUAYAN CORN PRODUCTS

A survey was conducted to evaluate fumonisins FB1 and FB2 in Uruguayan corn products. Sixty-four samples of different local brands were purc hased from retail stores during a 15-month period and analyzed for FB1 and FB2 by methanol-water extraction, cleanup with a 1 mL, strong-ani on-exchange solid-phase extraction column, and liquid chromatography w ith o-pthaldialdehyde-2-mercaptoethanol derivatization and fluorescenc e detection. Contamination levels for FB1 varied from 50 ng/g (detecti on limit) to 6342 ng/g. Values were highest in feed samples (up to 634 2 ng/g), unprocessed corn kernel (up to 3688 ng/g), and milled product s, which included polenta (up to 427 ng/g). They were lowest in proces sed corn kernel (up to 155 ng/g) and snacks (up to 314 ng/g). FB2 was determined in one-fourth of the total samples and detected at trace le vels in only one feed sample. The data demonstrated the natural occurr ence of fumonisins in corn products in Uruguay. Feed and polenta that contain fumonisins could be of concern because they are consumed in la rge amounts and are often the main nutrient source in Uruguay.