Fungi and selected mycotoxins from pre and post fermented corn silage.

GONZALEZ PEREYRA M.L.; ALONSO V.,; SAGER R.; MORLACO M.B.,; MAGNOLI C.E.,; ASTORECA A.L; ROSA C.A.R.,; CHIACCHIERA S.M.,; DALCERO A.M.; CAVAGLIERI L.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, IN...; Año: 2008 vol. 104 p. 1034 - 1041

1364-5072

Aim: To determine fungal genera, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) contamination from pre- and postfermented corn silage produced in the most important region of Argentina where silage practice is developed. Methods and Results: Sampling of corn silos was performed manually through silos in transects at three levels: upper, middle and low sections. AFB1 and FB1 were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, zearalenone by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and DON by gas chromatography. Over 90% of the samples showed counts higher than 1x104 CFU g/1. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides were the prevalent species. Some tested samples were contaminated with AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the presence of fungi and AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1 contamination in corn silage in Argentina. Significance and Impact of the Study: This manuscript makes a contribution to the knowledge of mycotoxins in Argentinean silage in particular because the environmental conditions in this country differ from those of most reports. The comparison of pre- and postfermentation silage is also outstanding. Therefore, information on fungi and mycotoxins present in silage – an increasingly popular commodity – is useful to estimate potential risk for animal and human health.To determine fungal genera, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) contamination from pre- and postfermented corn silage produced in the most important region of Argentina where silage practice is developed. Methods and Results: Sampling of corn silos was performed manually through silos in transects at three levels: upper, middle and low sections. AFB1 and FB1 were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, zearalenone by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and DON by gas chromatography. Over 90% of the samples showed counts higher than 1x104 CFU g/1. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides were the prevalent species. Some tested samples were contaminated with AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the presence of fungi and AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1 contamination in corn silage in Argentina. Significance and Impact of the Study: This manuscript makes a contribution to the knowledge of mycotoxins in Argentinean silage in particular because the environmental conditions in this country differ from those of most reports. The comparison of pre- and postfermentation silage is also outstanding. Therefore, information on fungi and mycotoxins present in silage – an increasingly popular commodity – is useful to estimate potential risk for animal and human health.