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10:01
Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
Published on: April 23, 2012
Distribution among sample test results when testing shelled corn lots for fumonisin.
T B Whitaker1, W M Hagler, A S Johansson
1USDA-ARS, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7625, USA.
Journal of AOAC International
|June 22, 2001
Summary
The compound gamma function effectively models fumonisin test results in shelled corn. This statistical approach aids in accurate fumonisin testing and sampling plans for contaminated corn.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Statistics
- Food Safety
Background:
- Fumonisins are mycotoxins found in corn, posing health risks.
- Accurate statistical distributions are crucial for food safety testing.
- Existing methods may not fully capture the variability in fumonisin sample test results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the compound gamma function for describing fumonisin sample test result distributions in shelled corn.
- To determine the suitability of this statistical model for contaminated corn lots.
- To develop a framework for improved fumonisin testing and sampling.
Main Methods:
- Collected 32 subsamples (1.1 kg each) from 16 contaminated corn lots.
- Determined mean and variance of fumonisin concentrations for each lot.
- Applied the compound gamma function and Power Divergence test for distribution comparison.
- Utilized the method of moments for parameter estimation and regression analysis.
Main Results:
- The compound gamma function was not rejected as a suitable distribution for 15 out of 16 corn lots at a 5% significance level.
- Parameters of the compound gamma distribution were successfully related to fumonisin concentration and test variance.
- Developed equations linking distribution parameters to key testing metrics.
Conclusions:
- The compound gamma function is a viable statistical tool for modeling fumonisin distribution in shelled corn.
- This model can enhance the accuracy of fumonisin testing and inform sampling plan development.
- Findings support improved risk assessment and management of mycotoxin contamination in corn.
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