Presence of Fusarium toxins in maize from Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia

Fusarium toxins are recognized as worldwide concern since those contaminants may potentially affect human and animal health and could also be a cause of great economical losses. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of the following Fusarium toxins: fumonisins (FUMs), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and sum of T-2/HT-2 toxins in maize. A total of 90 samples were collected during the harvest 2012 from four different maize growing areas in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. Analysis showed that 100%, 53.3% and 2.22% of examined maize samples were contaminated with FUMs, T-2/HT-2 and DON with median values of 1606, 35.3 and 650 μg/kg, respectively. None of the maize samples was contaminated with ZEA. Differences in the occurrence of investigated Fusarium toxins could be explained by different conditions required for their growth and synthesis of the toxins. Maize growing season 2012 was characterized by drought conditions. Hot and dry weather conditions were particularly favorable for FUMs production. This is the first report of the natural co-occurrence of FUMs, T-2/HT-2, ZEA and DON in maize from Serbia.