Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Fungal Infection and Mycotoxins Contamination in Organic and Conventional Maize
Julio Cesar Peres; Christiane Ceriani Aparecido; Daiane Hansen; Joana D’arc Felicio; Roberto Carlos Felicio; Edlayne Gonçalez

Abstract
The conventional agriculture is the model user the world, but consumer concern over the quality and safety of conventional food has intensified in recent years, and primarily the increasing demand for organically grown food, which is perceived as healthier and safer. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of fungi and mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxin, zearalenone and fumonisins) in samples of organic and conventional corn collected from markets in São Paulo city, Brazil. The fungi isolated from organic corn samples were: Mucor spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus spp and yeast. In the conventional corn were isolated: Aspergullus spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., Cladosporium spp., Rhizopus spp., Paecilomyces spp., Curvularia spp., Penicillium spp. and yeast. F. moniliforme was isolated in all samples of organic and conventional corn. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2, ochratoxin A and zearalenone were not detected in the samples studied, but the fumonisins were detected in 96% of organic corn in 100% of conventional corn. The F. moniliforme presence in all samples and the detection of fumonisins indicate the importance of quality control the organic and conventional corns before their utilization.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v7n1a8