Jog Raj1*, Hunor Farkaš1, Svetlana Ćujić1, Zdenka Jakovčević1, Naresh Magan2, Robert Čepela1 and Marko Vasiljević1
1PATENT CO, DOO., Vlade Ćetkovića 1A, Mišićevo 24211, Serbia
2Applied Mycology Group, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Belarus Bosnia & Herzegovina Brazil Croatia Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Guatemala India Italy
Mexico Morrocco Philippines Russia Senegal Serbia Taiwán Turquía Vietnam
In this survey, more than 1000 corn samples were collected by our distributors in different countries and sent to PATENT CO, DOO. for analysis of multiple mycotoxins. The samples were analyzed by triple quadrupole LC-MS/ MS (Agilent 6460 series) using a multi-mycotoxin method to quantify all the mycotoxins present. The analysis included Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), Ochratoxin A (OTA), Zearalenone (ZEN), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Fumonisin B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, all of which are regulated in feed in the EU by EU Directives 2002/32/EC, 2006/576/EC, and 2013/165/EU. The results of this survey are presented as detailed below: Part 1: Countrywide mycotoxin survey. Part 2: Global mycotoxin survey for 2021 harvested corn in Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam.
PART 1 COUNTRYWIDE MYCOTOXIN SURVEY BELARUS In the 2021 harvest, 70% of the samples were contaminated with 1 or more mycotoxins, whereas almost 1/3 of the samples (30%) were found to contain no mycotoxins (Figure 1). Table 1 summarizes the mixtures of mycotoxins found and their concentrations. ⇰ ZEN (average of 125 ppb), DON (156 ppb), FB1 (454 ppb), FB2 (222 ppb), T-2 (213 ppb), and HT-2 (114 ppb) were detected in the corn samples harvested in 2021 in different regions of Belarus. ⇰ T-2 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 60% of samples followed by DON which was detected in 37% of tested corn samples. ⇰ No aflatoxins were found in samples from this country.
Figure 1. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Belarus. Table 1. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Belarus harvested in 2021.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA In 2021, almost 75% of samples were contaminated with mycotoxins and 27 % of the corn samples were found to be uncontaminated (Figure 2). Table 2 summarizes the mean, maximum and numbers of positive samples for different mycotoxins found. ⇰ DON (average of 328 ppb), ZEN (110 ppb), AFB1 (24 ppb), FB1 (3112 ppb), FB2 (2047 ppb), and HT-2 (22 ppb) were detected in the corn samples. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 68% of the samples followed by DON/HT-2 in 14 % and then AFB1 in 9 % of samples from different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. ⇰ In 2021, 73% of the harvested corn from Bosnia and Herzegovina contained one or more than 1 mycotoxin (co-occurrence), with fumonisins being predominant.
Figure 2. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Table 2. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021.
BRAZIL In the 2021 harvest, 91% of samples were contaminated with one or more mycotoxins, whereas only 9% of the corn samples from Brazil were uncontaminated (Figure 3). Table 3 summarizes the average, median and maximum concentrations found in these samples for multiple mycotoxins. ⇰ AFB1 (average of 6 ppb), AFB2 (2 ppb), ZEN (39 ppb), DON (292 ppb), FB1 (724 ppb), and FB2 (226 ppb) were detected in 2021 harvested corn samples from Brazil. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 90% of tested corn samples followed by FB2 in 81 % of the samples and AFB1 in 13 % samples.
Figure 3. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Brazil. Table 3. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Brazil harvested in 2021.
CROATIA In 2021, almost all corn samples (98%) were contaminated with mycotoxins. Only 2% of the samples were uncontaminated (Figure 4). Table 4 summarizes the type and number of mycotoxins and their means found in the samples from Croatia. ⇰ DON (average of 292 ppb), ZEN (451ppb), AFB1 (31 ppb), T-2 (74 ppb), FB1 (2442 ppb), FB2 (1088 ppb), and HT-2 (141 ppb) were detected in corn samples received from different regions of Croatia. ⇰ Fumonisins (FB1) were the most dominant mycotoxins and were detected in 98% of the samples. ⇰ In 2021, almost all the corn harvested in Croatia (98%) was contaminated with 1 or more than 1 mycotoxin. Again, fumonisins were the most prevalent mycotoxins detected using LC-MS/MS.
Figure 4. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Croatia. Table 4. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Croatia in 2021.
ECUADOR In the 2021 harvest, 90% of the samples were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin. The remaining 10% were contaminated with only one mycotoxin (Figure 5). Overall, all the tested corn samples were contaminated with one or more than one mycotoxin. Table 5 summarizes the concentrations present in the corn samples. ⇰ AFB1 (average of 3 ppb), AFB2 (5 ppb), FB1 (921 ppb), and FB2 (292 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Ecuador. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 97% of samples, followed by AFB1 which was detected in 21% of tested corn samples.
Figure 5. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Ecuador. Table 5. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Ecuador harvested in 2021.
EGYPT In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples received from Egypt were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin, specifically, fumonisins. The detailed contamination levels with fumonisins are shown in Table 6. ⇰ FB1 (average of 1152 ppb) and FB2 (367 ppb) were detected in 2021 harvested corn samples from Egypt. ⇰ FB1 and FB2 were only and most predominant mycotoxins detected in all tested corn samples received from Egypt. Table 6. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Egypt harvested in 2021.
EL SALVADOR In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples (100%) from El Salvador were contaminated with one or multiple mycotoxins. Table 7 shows the mycotoxins found in these samples and their relative concentrations and means. ⇰ ZEN (average of 66 ppb), DON (354 ppb), FB1 (465 ppb), and FB2 (93 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from different regions of El Salvador. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in all the corn samples followed by DON which was detected in 80% and ZEN in 60% of tested of the samples. ⇰ Aflatoxins were not present in the samples from this country. Table 7. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from El Salvador harvested in 2021.
GUATEMALA In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples (100%) from Guatemala were contaminated with one or more than one mycotoxin. Only four mycotoxins were found Table 8. ⇰ ZEN (average of 26 ppb), DON (471 ppb), FB1 (336 ppb), and FB2 (149 ppb) were detected in 2021 harvested corn samples from different regions of Guatemala. ⇰ T-2 and ZEN were the most predominant mycotoxins as they were detected in all the samples followed by DON which was detected in 67% of the tested corn samples. ⇰ Aflatoxins were not present in the samples from this country. Table 8. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Guatemala harvested in 2021.
INDIA In the 2021 harvest, 84% of the samples analyzed had one or more mycotoxins (Figure 6). Only 16% of the corn samples from India were found to be uncontaminated with mycotoxins. Table 9 summarizes the different mixtures of mycotoxins found in the corn samples and the maximum concentrations present. ⇰ AFB1 (average of 56 ppb), AFB2 (14 ppb), OTA (37 ppb), FB1 (717 ppb), and FB2 (176 ppb) were detected in 2021 harvested corn samples from different regions of India. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 65% of samples followed by AFB1 (41%) in the tested corn samples. ⇰ In the Indian samples, DON, ZEN, AFG1, AFG2, T-2 and HT-2 were not detected in corn samples using LC-MS/MS. Table 9. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from India harvested in 2021.
ITALY In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples were contaminated with one or more than one mycotoxin (Table 10). ⇰ FB1 (average of 2996 ppb) and FB2 (611 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from different regions of Italy. ⇰ FB1 and FB2 were most predominant mycotoxins detected in all the corn samples. Table 10. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Italy harvested in 2021.
MEXICO In the 2021 harvest, 67% of the samples were contaminated with one or more mycotoxins. About 1/3 (33 %) were uncontaminated (Figure 7). Table 11 summarizes the types and the concentrations of mycotoxins found in the samples from Mexico. ⇰ ZEN (average of 44 ppb), DON (758 ppb), FB1 (354 ppb), and FB2 (75 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Mexico. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 63% of tested corn samples followed by DON in 53% of the samples and ZEN in 21% samples.
Figure 7. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Mexico. Table 11. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Mexico harvested in 2021.
MOROCCO In the 2021 harvest, 23% of the corn samples were contaminated with one mycotoxin and 77% with more than 1 mycotoxin (Figure 8). Overall, all the corn samples were found to be contaminated with mycotoxins. Table 12 summarizes the concentrations of different mycotoxins found. ⇰ ZEN (average of 233 ppb), DON (321 ppb), FB1 (820 ppb), and FB2 (288 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Morocco. ⇰ FB1 and DON were the most predominant mycotoxins as they were detected in 85% of samples followed by FB2 in 69% and ZEN which was detected in 23% of the tested corn samples.
Figure 8. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Morocco. Table 12. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Morocco harvested in 2021.
PHILIPPINES In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples received from the Philippines were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin (Table 13). ⇰ AFB1 (average of 22 ppb), AFB2 (4 ppb), FB1 (1042 ppb), and FB2 (403 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from the Philippines. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 100% of the tested corn samples followed by AFB1 which was detected in 86% samples. Table 13. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from the Philippines harvested in 2021.
RUSSIA In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples received from Russia were contaminated with more than one mycotoxin (Table 14). ⇰ OTA (average of 17 ppb), ZEN (338 ppb), DON (228 ppb), HT-2 (265 ppb), T-2 (71 ppb), FB1 (2439 ppb), and FB2 (566 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Russia. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 75% of the tested corn samples followed by T-2/HT-2, which was detected in 50% samples. Table 14. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Russia harvested in 2021.
SENEGAL In the 2021 harvest, all of the corn samples (100%) from Senegal were contaminated with one or more than one mycotoxin (Table 15). ⇰ AFB1 (average of 6.4 ppb), AFB2 (0.7 ppb), ZEN (18 ppb), DON (866 ppb), FB1 (2435 ppb), and FB2 (781 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Senegal. ⇰ FB1 and FB2 were the most predominant mycotoxins as these were detected in 80% of the tested corn samples followed by aflatoxins which were present in 60% of the samples. Table 15. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples From Senegal harvested in 2021.
SERBIA In 2021, 83% of the corn samples were found to be contaminated with more than one mycotoxin and only 17% of corn samples were found to have no mycotoxins present (Figure 9). Table 16 summarizes the concentrations of mycotoxins in the mixtures found in these samples. ⇰ Overall, DON (average of 215 ppb), ZEN (40 ppb), AFB1 (14 ppb), T-2 (47 ppb), FB1 (4700 ppb), FB2 (1722 ppb), and HT-2 (61 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from different regions of Serbia. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 79% of the tested samples followed by AFB1 in 20 % of corn samples. ⇰ In the 2021 harvested corn from Serbia, 83% of samples were contaminated with one or more than1 mycotoxin. Fumonisins were the most prevalent mycotoxins detected in these samples using LC-MS/MS. Figure 9. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Serbia.
Table 16. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Serbia in 2021.
TAIWAN In the 2021 harvest, all the samples were contaminated with mycotoxins. Among these, 89% were contaminated with more than one mycotoxins and 11% with only one mycotoxin (Figure 10). Table 17 summarizes the concentrations of the different mycotoxins found. ⇰ AFB1 (average of 11 ppb), AFB2 (2 ppb), ZEN (409 ppb), DON (512 ppb), FB1 (1886 ppb), and FB2 (704 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Taiwan. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 87% of the samples followed by DON in 51% and AFB1 which was detected in 19% of tested corn samples.
Figure 10. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Taiwan. Table 17. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Taiwan harvested in 2021.
TURKEY In the 2021 harvest, all the corn samples received from Turkey were only contaminated with mixtures of fumonisins (Table 18). ⇰ FB1 (average of 720 ppb) and FB2 (117 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from Turkey. ⇰ FB1 and FB2 were the only and most predominant mycotoxins detected in all tested corn samples. Table 18. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from Turkey harvested in 2021.
VIETNAM In 2021, only 21% of corn samples from Vietnam were found to be uncontaminated with mycotoxins. Overall, 12% of samples were contaminated with one mycotoxin and 67% with more than one mycotoxin (Figure 11). Thus, 79% of the tested corn samples were contaminated with one or multiple mycotoxins. Table 19 summarizes the mean and the maximum concentrations found in these samples. ⇰ Fumonisins were detected in 75% of the corn samples, aflatoxins in 47%, ZEN in 19%, and DON in 21%. ⇰ Again, there was co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the samples from Vietnam. ⇰ Fumonisins and aflatoxins were the predominant mycotoxins detected. Figure 11. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn sample from Vietnam.
Table 19. Mycotoxin levels detected (ppb) in corn samples from Vietnam in 2021.
PART 2 GLOBAL MYCOTOXIN SURVEY FOR 2021 HARVESTED CORN IN BELARUS, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, BRAZIL, CROATIA, ECUADOR, EGYPT, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, INDIA, ITALY, MEXICO, MOROCCO, PHILIPPINES, RUSSIA, SENEGAL, SERBIA, TAIWAN, TURKEY, AND VIETNAM
The summary of results of corn received from the 19 countries (Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam) is shown in Figure 12. ⇰ In the 2021 harvested corn samples, only 13 % of all samples were not contaminated with mycotoxins, whereas 10% of the samples were contaminated with one mycotoxin and 77 % of the samples contained more than one mycotoxin. Table 20 summarizes the co-occurrence of different mycotoxins found on a global basis. ⇰ AFB1 (average of 82 ppb), OTA (39 ppb), ZEN (309 ppb), DON (378 ppb), HT-2 (116 ppb), T-2 (105 ppb), FB1 (1944 ppb), and FB2 (774 ppb) were detected in the 2021 harvested corn samples from the 19 surveyed countries. ⇰ FB1 was the most predominant mycotoxin as it was detected in 80% of tested corn samples followed by AFB1, which was detected in 23% samples and DON in 22% of the corn samples. Figure 12. Percentage of mycotoxins per corn in 2021 harvest from 19 countries.
Table 20. Mycotoxin contamination levels (ppb) in corn samples from 19 countries harvested in 2021.
CONCLUSIONS
In the 2021 survey of corn samples received from the 19 countries (Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Vietnam) between September 2021 and April 2022, FB1 and FB2 were the most predominant mycotoxins in samples analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The co-occurrence of more than one mycotoxin may lead to additive or synergistic effects when fed to sensitive animal species (e.g., swine and poultry amongst others). ⇰ This suggests that technologies are required to control mixtures of such contaminants in feedstuffs that are predominantly based on corn to minimize their impact on animal development. It would be interesting to superimpose these trends onto regional and global climate information including temperature, episodes of rainfall and drought stress to examine whether these patterns will continue or whether they may change in the short and medium-term.
Almost all the corn samples (87%) were contaminated with 1 or more than 1 mycotoxin.
This would be beneficial in the development of appropriate minimization strategies under changing climate regimes in the next 4-5 years.
Micotoxicosis prevention