Aflatoxin contamination in corn samples due to environmental conditions, aflatoxin-producing strains, and nutrients in grain grown in Costa Rica
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Aflatoxins are considered a potential hazard to public health, due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. Under favorable environmental conditions, insect attack, and substrate, aflatoxin-producing fungal species can grow in certain foods and feeds. The total aflatoxin distribution due to environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall), collection phase (early, middle, and late), microbiological analysis of aflatoxin-producing strains, and nutrients (minerals, moisture, and carbohydrates) was evaluated in samples of com grown in Costa Rica. A multiple regression analysis design determined that total aflatoxin levels were significantly correlated (p 0.05) with the presence of Aspergillus flavus in the grain and temperature conditions. Levels of aflatoxin were highly correlated (p 0.01) among minerals (Mg2+, Zn2+, and Ca2+) and the polynomial effect of their interactions. Collection phase had a significant effect on aflatoxin levels (p 0.05) due to differences in harvest and storage conditions, as well as agricultural practices in each region. Also, the effect of xylose, fructose, and glucose/mannose content in corn grain on the level of aflatoxin was not significant (p 0.05). However, glucose/mannose had an effect of multicollinearity. 1994, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.
