Toxicological profile pathogenic species on maize in Serbia

Abstract

Fusarium and Aspergillus toxigenic species are considered to be the most common pathogens in maize. Agroecological conditions in Serbia favour the development of numerous pathogenic and toxigenic species of the genus Fusarium and Aspergillus. Global climate change may favour the contamination of maize with high levels of aflatoxins and fusariotoxins in temperate areas, such as Serbia. Fusarium graminearum synthesises mycotoxins from which the most important are type B trichothecene - deoxynivalenol (DON), its acetyl-ester derivatives (3- АDON and 15-АDON) and nivalenol (NIV). The two most important species of fungi responsible for aspergillosis kernel and ear rot are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, producers of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2). Isolates of F. graminearum and A. parasiticus identified from maize grain samples collected over 12 years from 40 localities in Serbia were analyzed. Production potential of isolates were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). Results of perennial research showed high variability in the concentrations of mycotoxins deoxynivalenol and aflatoxins in maize kernels. Detected concentrations of DON varied from 10,9 to 154.6 µg/g (average 47,2 µg/g), while 3ADON concentrations ranged from 3.42 to 71.6 µg/g (average 15,6 µg/g ) and 15ADON from 5.4 to 121.3 µg/g (average 29,8 µg/g). Mycotoxin 15ADON were predominant in observed samples. The average synthesis of aflatoxin B1 was 4145.97 µg/kg (range 14.24 to 7361.03 µg/kg) by which the isolates of this group were classified into strong producers of AFB1. The average synthesis of aflatoxin B2 was 403.55 µg/kg, aflatoxin G1 3490.07 µg/kg and G2 198.29 µg/kg averaging, respectivel