Lower fumonisin mycotoxin levels in the grain of Bt corn grown in the United States in 2000-2002.
Fumonisins were monitored in corn grain collected from Bt hybrids grown in 107 locations across the United States in 2000-2002. Bt corn hybrids contain the Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis that controls European corn borers and other stalk-boring pests. Fumonisin levels were frequently lower in grain from Bt hybrids grown in field trials under conditions of natural (FACT trials) or manual insect infestation (university trials). Over three years of FACT trials, there were 126/210 comparisons when fumonisin levels in grain from control hybrids were >2 ppm, exceeding U.S. FDA guidance levels of 2 ppm for human food. Grain from Bt hybrids was at or below 2 ppm of fumonisins for 58 of the 126 comparisons. The use of Bt hybrids can increase the percentage of corn grain that would be suitable for use in food and feed.
Product Safety Center, Monsanto Company, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, USA. bruce.g.hammond@monsanto.com
Bruce G
BG
Hammond
Keith W
KW
Campbell
Clinton D
CD
Pilcher
Todd A
TA
Degooyer
Aaron E
AE
Robinson
Brian L
BL
McMillen
Steven M
SM
Spangler
Susan G
SG
Riordan
Larry G
LG
Rice
John L
JL
Richard
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D037341:Fumonisins / Q000032:analysis*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D037341:Fumonisins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis