Five-Year Study of Mycotoxins in Virginia Wheat and Dent Corn

Every year during the 5-year period 1976-1980, approximately 100 samples each of corn and wheat from trucks delivering the grains at elevators in Virginia were collected by personnel of the Federal Grain Inspection Service and shipped to NRRC. Samples were analyzed as soon as possible for aflatoxin, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A. The 3 mycotoxins were not detected in any wheat sample. Zearalenone and ochratoxin A were not found in any corn sample; however, aflatoxin was detected in at least 25% of the corn samples from every crop year. In 1976-1980, the incidence of aflatoxin at levels of 20 ng/g or more (the Food and Drug Administration guideline) ranged from 18 to 61%; aflatoxin incidence above 100 ng/g was 5-29%. The average aflatoxin levels in corn samples collected in the 5 years varied from 21 to 137 ng/g. Moisture content of the samples was not determined, so aflatoxin levels given may be higher than they were at harvest. However, there are obviously differences from year to year. In freshly harvested corn samples collected by fieldmen of the Statistical Reporting Service in yield surveys in 1978 and 1979, aflatoxin incidence above the FDA guideline was 10 and 13%, and above 100 ng/g was 4 and 7%. The average aflatoxin level in all samples collected in 1978 was 13 ng/g and in 1979, 36 ng/g. Some aflatoxin can be expected yearly in Virginia corn, but the incidence and levels vary from year to year.