PSII-22 Trends in Mycotoxin Contamination in United States Corn

Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites and are of key concern to food and feed safety globally. These toxins are detrimental to animal health and can compromise animal performance even at low levels. Classic signs such as decreased feed intake and vomiting used as indicators for exposure overlook other costs of mycotoxicosis, including increasing the frequency and severity of disease via immune suppression, inciting inflammation, and modulating the gastrointestinal environment. This survey examines initial samples of the 2019 crop with previous year trends. New crop corn samples were submitted from September 2019 and consisted of corn (46%), corn silage (50%), and corn byproduct (4%). Samples were analyzed utilizing the liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin-A (OTA). Data are presented for major mycotoxin classes in Table 1. Fewer samples are available thus far compared to the fall of 2018 (50 samples in 2019 vs. 135 samples in 2018), thus risk profile of this crop year is likely to change as the sample pool expands. Co-occurrence (≥ 2 mycotoxins) has decreased compared to 2018. The prevalence of B-Trich decreased compared with previous years, but levels are similar to 2018. Prevalence and levels of ZEN decreased from 2018, and are similar to 2017, while FUM is similar in prevalence to 2018, but average ppb numerically increased. As of yet, no Alfa has been detected; however, corn stored with higher moisture content has increased the risk for storage toxins. Mycotoxin risk of this harvest season is still coming into focus as harvest delays have affected sample submission. Due to continued risk of multi-mycotoxin contamination, multiple mitigation strategies are needed beyond just adsorption, including biotransformation, support of the immune system and liver function.