Fate of fumonisins b1and b2in steeped corn kernels

Abstract

Corn kernels naturally contaminated with fumonisins B₁ and B₂ were steeped by dipping the whole kernels in either water or a 0.3% solution of sodium bisulphite (pH = 5.7) for 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. The toxin content of both the solid and the liquid were analysed for each time period. A different rate of interchange between the solid matrix and the water solution was found for FB₁ and FB₂ and some differences were found in the fate of both fumonisins between the two steeping systems studied. In addition, a preliminary study of the distribution of FB₁ and FB₂ between the germ and the remaining part of the kernel was carried out.