Fumonisin-contaminated maize: physical treatment for the partial decontamination of bulk shipments.
Ten maize samples, randomly selected from a bulk shipment imported into South Africa, were characterized by a wide distribution in particulate size. Following fractionation by sieving through a 3 mm screen, the 'kernels' (fractions > or = 3 mm) corresponding to between 80.0 and 95.3% of the samples by mass, were contaminated with total fumonisin levels of between 530 and 1890 ng/g. Conversely, those fractions termed 'fines' (< 3 mm) had significantly higher total fumonisin concentrations of between 12,340 and 27,460 ng/g, and accounted for between 4.7 and 20.0% of the samples by mass. The data indicated that removal of the 'fines' resulted in overall reductions in total fumonisin levels of between 26.2 and 69.4%. It is suggested that initial removal of 'fines' from bulk shipments of maize, prior to further processing, could be considered as a preliminary fumonisin-decontamination procedure.
Sydenham
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EW
Programme on Mycotoxins and Experimental Carcinogenesis, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Van der Westhuizen
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L
Stockenström
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S
Shephard
G S
GS
Thiel
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PG
D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003313:Zea mays