Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol and 4‐acetyl‐nivalenol (fusarenon‐x) in mouldy maize harvested from farms in Jos district, Nigeria

Abstract

Twelve random samples of mouldy maize collected during the 1991 harvest season from farms at different locations in Jos district, Nigeria, were screened primarily for contamination by the Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol, fusarenon‐X and HT‐2 toxin. All the three mycotoxins were detected: nivalenol in three samples, (0.8–1.0 mg), fusarenon‐X in four samples (3.0–15.0 mg) and HT‐2 in only one sample (3.0 mg/kg). Deoxynivalenol (three samples) and T‐2 toxin (one sample) were also detected. Deoxynivalenol and nivalenol co‐contaminated the same samples, with nivalenol being present at much lower levels than the former. The maize samples were not destined for human consumption.

Keywords:

• nivalenol fusarenon‐X
• deoxynivalenol
• HT‐2 toxin
• T‐2 toxin
• Fusarium mycotoxins
• maize
• mouldy
• screening