Occurrence of fumonisins in maize imported into Iran during 2001-2002

Fumonisins, fungal toxins found primarily in maize and produced by various Fusarium species, have been shown to cause a variety of significant adverse health effects in livestock and experimental animals, and are probable human carcinogens. Thirty-three maize samples were collected at ports from bulk shipments, which were imported into Iran from six countries during 2001-2002, and analysed by HPLC for the most abundant of the naturally occurring fumonisin analogues, namely fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2) and B3 (FB3). Of the 33 samples, 21 (64%) were found to contain FB1 (58-512 μg/kg) at levels above 10 μg/kg. The frequency of FB1 found in maize samples imported from Uruguay and Canada was 75%, followed by China and Argentina (67%), USA (60%), and Brazil (50%). The average FB1 level was 266 and 169 μg/kg for positive and all samples, respectively. Medians were 250 and 146 μg/kg for positive and all samples, respectively. FB2 levels ranged from not detected (<10 μg/kg) to 53 μg/kg, whereas no sample had an FB3 level above the detection level (10 μg/kg). This is the first report of fumonisin contamination of imported maize in Iran. Although, the level of all detected fumonisins were below the Iranian and FDA tolerance levels for foods and feeds, It is necessary to maintain the strict rules to ensure continued safety of imported maize.