Fumonisin Contamination and <i>Fusarium</i> Incidence in Corn from Santa Catarina, Brazil

In Brazil, the southern region has the highest incidence of esophageal cancer and also the highest
production and consumption of corn (Zea mays) products. Corn samples intended for human
consumption from the western, northern, and southern regions of the state of Santa Catarina, southern
Brazil, had mean total fumonisin B (B1, B2, and B3) levels of 3.2, 3.4, and 1.7 mg/kg, respectively.
Fusarium verticillioides, the predominant fungus in the corn samples, had mean incidences (percent
of kernels infected) of 14, 11, and 18% for the three regions, respectively. Additional corn samples
intended for animal feed from the southern region had a mean total fumonisin level of 1.5 mg/kg and
a mean F. verticillioides incidence of 10%. The fumonisin levels in corn from the state of Santa
Catarina, Brazil, were similar to the high levels determined in other high esophageal cancer incidence
regions of the world.
Keywords: Fumonisin; Fusarium verticillioides; corn (Zea mays); Brazil; esophageal cancer