ABSTRACT:
Purple maize is an important foodstuff for the Peruvian people. Its unique nutritional and antioxidant characteristics makes it widely exported to other countries. However, when contaminated by fungi, it can trigger numerous health problems in the consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of 27 mycotoxins in 63 samples of purple maize collected in Peru. Frequency of occurrence and mean concentration of the following mycotoxins were determined: alternariolmetileter (AME), alternariol (AOH), tentoxin, neosolaniol, nivalenol, wortmannin, deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol, 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, fumonisin B3, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin α, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, fusarenon x, cyclopiazonic acid, gliotoxin, agroclavin and citreoviridin. The main mycotoxins reported in purple maize were AME and AOH, with a frequency of occurrence of 14.3 and 7.9%, and mean concentration of 23.3% and 1.8%, respectively. AME and AOH do not have guidance levels in the Brazilian legislation. Contrastingly, levels of mycotoxins which are within the standards of the country’s regulations were below the limit of quantification. The present results suggested that purple maize is a raw material with a great potential for the production and industrialization of special products.
Key words:
Zea mays L; alternariolmetileter; alternariol; secondary metabolites