Occurrence of Fusarium Species and Mycotoxins in Nepalese Maize and Wheat and the Effect of Traditional Processing Methods on Mycotoxin Levels

• DOI: 10.1021/jf991022b
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T05:57:48Z
• Authors: Anne E. Desjardins; Gyanu Manandhar; Ronald D. Plattner; Chris M. Maragos; Krishna Shrestha; Susan P. McCormick
• Keywords: Gibberella fujikuroi; Gibberella

Maize (Zea mays) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) collected in the foothills of Nepal Himalaya Mountains were analyzed for Fusarium species mycotoxins: fumonisins, nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON). Predominant Gibberella fujikuroi mating population A (F. moniliforme) maize F. graminearum wheat; G. D proliferatum), acuminatum, avenaceum, chlamydosporum, equiseti, oxysporum, semitectum, torulosum also present. Strains produced strains NIV or DON. By immunoassay high-performance liquid chromatography, fumonisins >1000 ng/g 22% 74 samples. fluorometry, DON 16% samples but not detected wheat. Fumonisins eliminated by traditional fermentation producing beer, Nepalese rural urban women able to detoxify contaminated hand-sorting visibly diseased kernels.