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Quantification of Fungal Colonization, Sporogenesis, and Production of Mycotoxins Using Kernel Bioassays
Published on: April 23, 2012
International shipping of fumonisins from maize extracts on C18 sorbent
R T Riley1, O A Torres, E Palencia
1Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, R. B. Russell Agricultural Research Center USDA-ARS, PO Box 5677, Athens, GA 30604, USA. rriley@saa.ars.usda.gov
Abstract:
Fumonisins are mycotoxins found in maize. In developing countries, the resources required for analysis are often lacking, and the shipping of maize between countries can be difficult since the importation of plant materials requires permits/inspection to prevent the entry of pests that frequently infest maize. A simple, safe and legal method for shipping maize extracts to the USA was needed to conduct a survey of fumonisins in Central America. The objective was to develop a method for isolating and shipping maize extracts for fumonisin analysis so as to facilitate a survey of fumonisin exposure. The results indicate that fumonisins in acetonitrile:water extracts of maize can be isolated on C18 cartridges, held for at least 3 days at 22 degrees C and then an additional 4 days at 4 degrees C before elution and analysis with no losses. This method allows the importation and analysis of maize samples from foreign locations without complications from international safety concerns.
