Abstract #447

# 447
Occurrence of mycotoxins in 2018 US corn grain and corn by-product feeds.
P. N. Gott*1, E. G. Hendel1, S. Curry1, U. Hofstetter2, G. R. Murugesan1, 1BIOMIN America Inc, Overland Park, KS, 2BIOMIN Holding GmbH, Getzersdorf, Austria.

Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites which are detrimental to animal health and productivity. This study investigated the occurrence and contamination levels of mycotoxins in 2018 US corn grain and corn by-product feeds (distillers dried grains, gluten feed, etc.). Samples from mid-August 2018 through January 2019 were screened via LC-MS/MS technique for the presence of 6 major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes, type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A. Parameters of main toxins found were compared with the 2 prior harvest years using Kruskal-Wallis Test (Prism7, GraphPad, La Jolla, CA) and are presented in Table 1. Mean toxin count per sample has increased in 2018 corn grain versus 2017, returning to more than 2 toxins per sample as in 2016. Mean B-Trich level (ppb, parts per billion) in corn grain is elevated in 2018 versus 2017, returning to 2016 levels. Although ZEN contamination does not differ from prior years, prevalence increased to 43% of samples, up from 25% in 2017. Co-contamination in corn by-product feeds is steady, averaging nearly 3 toxins per sample. Mean B-Trich level did not differ from prior harvest years while FUM contamination is similar to 2017 crop, but significantly lower than 2016. ZEN levels in 2018 by-products are the highest seen in the past 3 years. Preliminary results of the 2018 corn grain and corn by-product feeds survey suggest mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels are approaching those observed in the challenging 2016 crop with continued concerns for co-contamination. Table 1 (Abstr. 447).Fusarium toxin contamination in US corn grain and corn by-product feeds
ParameterGrainBy-Product Feeds
201620172018201620172018
N3534033521268155
Mean toxin count2.07b1.51a2.07b2.882.802.67
B-Trich
 Prevalence, %8070741009993
 Mean±SEM, ppb1207b ± 90803a ± 2011132b ± 1172395 ± 1411997 ± 1922670 ± 297
ZEN
 Prevalence, %422543798084
 Mean±SEM, ppb438 ± 146321 ± 73298 ± 28246b ± 14186a ± 16499c ± 71
FUM
 Prevalence, %805278919187
 Mean±SEM, ppb4091 ± 6152695 ± 3863760 ± 4154410b ± 5591414a ± 19491135a ± 1418
a–cValues across rows are different, P < 0.05.

Key Words: mycotoxin, corn, by-product