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

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Abstract
The presence of mycotoxins in corn-based foods available in Argentina was determined in order to make a preliminary exposure assessment. Thirty-eight samples [corn meal (‘polenta’) and corn flakes] of different local brands were analysed for zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and aflatoxins by TLC and fumonisins (FB1, FB2 and FB3) by HPLC. None of the 38 samples contained any detectable amount of aflatoxins (1 (range positives: 60–2860 μg/kg; mean positive value: 556 μg/kg), FB2 (61–1090 μg/kg; 232 μg/kg) and FB3 (18–1015 μg/kg 150 μg/kg). Low levels of fumonisin B1 were detected in 16/17 corn flakes samples (2–38 μg/kg). Total fumonisin levels in corn mealwere more than 1000 μg/kg in 24% (5/21) of the samples. Although it is not the staple food in Argentina, maize consumption is very important, especially among children. A daily fumonisin intake of 11.3μg/kg of body weight was estimated for child consumers (1–5 years old) based on an average consumption of 200g of corn meal/day. Calculated atan averageratefor allchildren (consumers or not) the intake estimate was 0.9μg/kg of body weight.