Survey of mycotoxins production during the silage formation in San Luis, Argentina.

M.B. MORLACO, L. SAGER, A. ASTORECA, M.L. GONZÁLEZ PEREYRA, L.R. CAVAGLIERI, A.M. DALCERO, C.A.R. ROSA.

Carlos Paz, Argentina

Congreso; Congreso MYCOGLOBE; 2006

The agricultural products are contamined by fungi during pre-post harvest and manufacturing process as consequence of the interaction between the ambiental factors, vegetal substrate and fungi, determining the type and amount of micotoxins produced. The main mycotoxin-producing fungal strains that contamine maize belong to Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium genera. Thus, toxins produced by species of these genera, such as aflatoxins, zearalenone and deoxinyvalenol, are possible contaminants. An alternative in beef and dairy cattle nutrition is the silage, mainly produced with maize. Silage is the process to cut the fodder plant, to place it in the silo, to compact it in order to estimulate the fermentation process. When well done, the silage nutritional value is similar to the green fodder plant and is kept in silos. It is used for confined flocks, mainly in the systems called "feed Lot”, together with grains and brans. The objective of the present work was to investigate the mycotoxins production (fumonisins, zearalenone and deoxinyvalenol) in maize silage intended for feeding cattle. Competitive commercial kits ELISA (Beacon Analytical Systems Inc.) mycotoxins were used. Fumonisin levels ranged between 0.12 to 1.84 ppm with average of 0.60 ± 0.44 ppm. The ELISA analytical method demonstrated to be efficient for fumonisin B1 detection. Zearalenone levels ranged between 0.01 to 0.25 ppm with average of 0.08±0,07 ppm. Deoxinyvalenol levels ranged between 0.1 to 0.15ppm with average of 0,10±0,06 ppm. A clear increase deoxinyvalenol levels were observed. The micotoxins contamination of maize must be prevented since this grain is destined as protein source in feeding of animal production.