Lower mycotoxins levels in grain of Bt corn growth in Argentina during 2002/03 – 2003/04 harvest seasons.

CHULZE S.,; SEQUEIRA J.,; ROJO F.,; BARROS G.,; MAGNOLI C.E.,; REYNOSO M.M.,; RAMIREZ M.L.,; FARNOCHI C.,; TORRES A.,; DALCERO A.

Córdoba, Argentina

Congreso; Advances in Research on toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in South America ensuring food and feed safety in a mycogloble context.; 2006

Mycotoxin production and fungal contamination were evaluated in corn grain of two isogenic lines, a Bt hybrid (DK682MG) derived from event MON 810 containg the Cry 1Ab protein from Bacillus turingiensis and a no transgenic near-isogenic control hybrid (DK682). This study was done in seven localities from the Argentinean maize-growing area during the harvest seasons 2002/03 and 2003/04. Mycotoxin analysis were carried out using HPLC methodology. The levels of total fumonisins (FB1+FB2+FB3) in corn grain from Bt hybrid and no Bt hybrid were significant different (p<0.001), being the levels lower in grains from Bt corn in the 7 localities. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate the effect among genotype, fungicide treatment and their interactions on fumonisin contamination. There was no interaction between fungicide treatment and genotype and between treatment with and without fungicide. With regard to measurement of the other mycotoxins, few samples showed DON contamination at low levels but there were no differences between Bt hybrid and no Bt hybrid. All corn samples were negative for aflatoxins. Mycological analysis of corn genotypes showed the presence of three principal genera of filamentous fungi: Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. In the genus Fusarium the species identified were: F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans. Both Penicillium and Aspergillus genera no showed significant differences between the two genotypes evaluated. Due to the possible entry of fumonisins and DON to the food and feed chains and their impact on human and animal health, the use of Bt hybrid offers a possible strategy to diminish the adverse effects of these mycotoxins.