Recent Mycotoxin Contamination Trends in 2021 United States Corn

Abstract Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites detrimental to animal health even at low levels. The study was conducted to compare mycotoxin contamination of initial samples of the 2021 corn crop with previous year trends. Samples were analyzed utilizing the liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for 6 major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The 2021 corn crop year data were compared with the prior harvest years using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with harvest year as fixed effect and sample as the experimental unit. A limited number of samples is available thus far (n = 44) as harvest is still progressing, therefore the risk profile of this crop year is likely to change as the sample pool expands. To date, 100% of the samples evaluated contained at least one mycotoxin, compared with 87% that was observed in 2020. The FUM is the most prevalent mycotoxin group (80% positive in 2021 vs. 49% in 2020) with average contamination level 5,883 ppb, which is significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the 2019 and 2020 harvested corn (3,348 ppb and 2,783 ppb, respectively). Contamination levels in corn for Afla, A-Trich, B-Trich, ZEN, and OTA have remained consistent over the survey period. The percentage of B-Trich and ZEN contaminated samples are numerically decreased in 2021 compared with 2020 (B-Trich: 59% vs. 50%; ZEN: 20% vs. 11%), whereas Alfa contaminated corn has increased numerically (5% vs. 23%). The preliminary results of the 2021 corn crop survey indicate mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels are similar or greater (FUM) to the prior crop year and will continue to challenge animal health and performance as these ingredients are fed out.