Research concerning the presence of mycotoxin in food has been conducted in the Southwest and South regions of Brazil over the last two decades. Research in other regions has been limited to aflatoxin in peanuts and Brazil nuts. The aim of this work is to study the presence of fumonisin B1, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in 74 samples of corn products acquired in shops and food markets in the city of Recife (PE) from 1999 to 2001. Fumonisin B1 was determined by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence was detected. The other toxins were determined by thin layer chromatography. Fumonisin B1 was found in 94.6% of the samples in levels from 20 to 8600 µg/kg. Only 5 samples contained aflatoxin B1 and the highest level found was 20 µg/kg. Two samples were over 20 µg/kg for the sum of B1, B2, G1 e G2 (21.5 µg/kg for pre-cooked corn flour and 23.3 µg/kg for corn grits). Aflatoxins G1 and G2, ochatoxin A and zearalenone were not detected in any of the samples. All samples contaminated with aflatoxins were also contaminated with fumonisin B1.
mycotoxins; fumnonisin; aflatoxins; ochratoxin A; zearalenone; corn products
