Terminology

Question 1

Mycotoxin

Answer 1

General term for poison produced by a fungus that is harmful to humans and/or animals. Corn and small grain cereals are especially prone to mycotoxin accumulation

Question 2

Aflatoxin

Answer 2

Produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, a golden colored mold; causes liver damage and cancer. Not commonly found in northeast

Question 3

Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin)

Answer 3

Produced by certain species of the fungus Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae), a pink to red colored mold; causes feed refusal, vomiting, and digestive disorders in swine, dogs, and other species with simple stomachs. Occurs commonly in wheat, barely, and corn grain and silage in the NE

<1ppm USDA standard for human food products

Question 4

Zearalenone

Answer 4

Produced by certain species of the fungus Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae), a pink to red colored mold; an estrogenic compound that causes REPRODUCTIVE disorders in swine and other species. Commonly found in corn grain and silage in the NE

1-5ppm concern level

Question 5

Fumonisins

Answer 5

Produced by certain species of the fungus Fusarium verticilloides (F. prolifeatum), a whitish colored mold (different than Gibberella). Causes fatal BRAIN DISEASE in horses, LUNG damage in swine, LIVER DAMAGE in several animals, linked to HUMAN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER. Occur commonly in corn grain in NE but at fairly low levels

• *5-10ppm level of concern**
• *>100ppm lung damage in swine**

Question 6

Ochratoxins

Answer 6

Produced mainly by the fungus Penicillium, a blue to green colored mold and produced mainly under POOR STORAGE conditions; causes LIVER and KIDNEY damage. Found occasionally in store commodities in the NE

Question 7

Greatest Mycotoxin risk factors in corn production

Answer 7

• Moist weather at silk emergence (Vomitoxin & Zearalenone)
• Drought, high temps during grain maturation
• Insect or other mechanical damges to ears or stalk
• Delayed maturation/ delayed harvest
• Contaminated storage structures
• Failure to properly dry grain
• Failure to exclude air from silage

Question 8

Field practies that reduce risk of mycotoxin contamination in corn

Answer 8

• Avoid continuous corn esp in reduced tillage
• Timely planting of locally adapted hybrids with partial resistant to Gibberella ear rot
• Avoid excess N, fertilize based on soil test
• Avoid stress from insects, weed, excessively high plant populations
• Planning ahead for harvest and grain handling

Question 9

Testing for mycotoxins

Answer 9

• On-site kits are generally accurate on dry grain corn. Inexpensive and quick
• Lab tests are expensive, comprehensive, and can be used for wet and dry samples