The implications of naturally occurring levels of fumonisins in corn for human and animal health.
Abstract: Contamination of corn with the fungus Fusarium moniliforme and its secondary metabolites, the fumonisins, has been associated with several human and animal diseases. This paper summarizes present knowledge and presents new data on the levels of fumonisins present in foods and feeds associated with these diseases as well as in commercial corn and corn-based products. The doses of fumonisins to which humans and animals consuming these products would be exposed are compared with those doses known to produce LEM in horses and hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. It is concluded that the known naturally occurring levels of fumonisins present a potential threat to human and animal health and realistic tolerance levels need to be set.
Publication Date: 1992-02-01 PubMed ID: 1513372DOI: 10.1007/BF00497272Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article investigates the potential health risk of fumonisins, a toxin produced by a type of fungus found in corn that has been linked to various diseases in humans and animals.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The paper aims to summarize existing knowledge on fumonisins and to present new data on their levels in food and feed associated with diseases.
- The research involves analyzing the concentration of fumonisins in various corn and corn-based food products that are typically consumed by humans and animals.
- Another significant part of the research is comparing the fumonisin doses from these food sources to the doses known to cause Leukoencephalomalacia (LEM) in horses and hepatocarcinogenesis (liver cancer) in rats.
Key Findings
- The research findings suggest that the existing, naturally occurring levels of fumonisins in corn products pose a potential health threat to humans and animals.
- This risk is primarily because the fumonisin doses that consumers might be exposed to from their food consumption are compared to those known to induce diseases such as LEM in horses and liver cancer in rats.
Implications and Conclusions
- The study highlights a significant concern about the consumption of corn and corn-based products contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme and its metabolite, fumonisins.
- An important conclusion drawn from this research is the need for establishing realistic and safe tolerance levels of fumonisins in food and animal feed.
- This measure is necessary to safeguard the health of both human and animal consumers and prevent diseases related to fumonisin ingestion.
Cite This Article
APA
Thiel PG, Marasas WF, Sydenham EW, Shephard GS, Gelderblom WC.
(1992).
The implications of naturally occurring levels of fumonisins in corn for human and animal health.
Mycopathologia, 117(1-2), 3-9.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00497272 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Research Institute for Nutritional Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / adverse effects
- Animals
- Carcinogens, Environmental / adverse effects
- Encephalomalacia / chemically induced
- Encephalomalacia / veterinary
- Esophageal Neoplasms / chemically induced
- Food Microbiology
- Fumonisins
- Fusarium / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horses
- Humans
- Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced
- Mycotoxins / adverse effects
- Zea mays
References
This article includes 17 references
- Wilson BJ, Maronpot RR. Causative fungus agent of leucoencephalomalacia in equine animals.. Vet Rec 1971 May 8;88(19):484-6.
- Wilson TM, Ross PF, Rice LG, Osweiler GD, Nelson HA, Owens DL, Plattner RD, Reggiardo C, Noon TH, Pickrell JW. Fumonisin B1 levels associated with an epizootic of equine leukoencephalomalacia.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1990 Jul;2(3):213-6.
- Alberts JF, Gelderblom WC, Thiel PG, Marasas WF, Van Schalkwyk DJ, Behrend Y. Effects of temperature and incubation period on production of fumonisin B1 by Fusarium moniliforme.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1990 Jun;56(6):1729-33.
- Marasas WF, Kellerman TS, Pienaar JG, Naudé TW. Leukoencephalomalacia: a mycotoxicosis of Equidae caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1976 Sep;43(3):113-22.
- Kellerman TS, Marasas WF, Thiel PG, Gelderblom WC, Cawood M, Coetzer JA. Leukoencephalomalacia in two horses induced by oral dosing of fumonisin B1.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1990 Dec;57(4):269-75.
- Gelderblom WC, Kriek NP, Marasas WF, Thiel PG. Toxicity and carcinogenicity of the Fusarium moniliforme metabolite, fumonisin B1, in rats.. Carcinogenesis 1991 Jul;12(7):1247-51.
- Gelderblom WC, Marasas WF, Jaskiewicz K, Combrinck S, van Schalkwyk DJ. Cancer promoting potential of different strains of Fusarium moniliforme in a short-term cancer initiation/promotion assay.. Carcinogenesis 1988 Aug;9(8):1405-9.
- Jaskiewicz K, van Rensburg SJ, Marasas WF, Gelderblom WC. Carcinogenicity of Fusarium moniliforme culture material in rats.. J Natl Cancer Inst 1987 Feb;78(2):321-5.
- Kriek NP, Marasas WF, Thiel PG. Hepato- and cardiotoxicity of Fusarium verticillioides (F. moniliforme) isolates from Southern African maize.. Food Cosmet Toxicol 1981 Aug;19(4):447-56.
- Marasas WF, Kellerman TS, Gelderblom WC, Coetzer JA, Thiel PG, van der Lugt JJ. Leukoencephalomalacia in a horse induced by fumonisin B1 isolated from Fusarium moniliforme.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1988 Dec;55(4):197-203.
- Kriek NP, Kellerman TS, Marasas WF. A comparative study of the toxicity of Fusarium verticillioides (= F. moniliforme) to horses, primates, pigs, sheep and rats.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1981 Jun;48(2):129-31.
- Marasas WF, Jaskiewicz K, Venter FS, Van Schalkwyk DJ. Fusarium moniliforme contamination of maize in oesophageal cancer areas in Transkei.. S Afr Med J 1988 Aug 6;74(3):110-4.
- Yang CS. Research on esophageal cancer in China: a review.. Cancer Res 1980 Aug;40(8 Pt 1):2633-44.
- Gelderblom WC, Marasas WF, Vleggaar R, Thiel PG, Cawood ME. Fumonisins: isolation, chemical characterization and biological effects.. Mycopathologia 1992 Feb;117(1-2):11-6.
- Marasas WF, Kriek NP, Fincham JE, van Rensburg SJ. Primary liver cancer and oesophageal basal cell hyperplasia in rats caused by Fusarium moniliforme.. Int J Cancer 1984 Sep 15;34(3):383-7.
- Gelderblom WC, Jaskiewicz K, Marasas WF, Thiel PG, Horak RM, Vleggaar R, Kriek NP. Fumonisins--novel mycotoxins with cancer-promoting activity produced by Fusarium moniliforme.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1988 Jul;54(7):1806-11.
- Harrison LR, Colvin BM, Greene JT, Newman LE, Cole JR Jr. Pulmonary edema and hydrothorax in swine produced by fumonisin B1, a toxic metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1990 Jul;2(3):217-21.
Citations
This article has been cited 46 times.- Wang X, Wang D, Zhang S, Zhu M, Yang Q, Dong J, Zhang Q, Feng P. Research Progress Related to Aflatoxin Contamination and Prevention and Control of Soils.. Toxins (Basel) 2023 Jul 25;15(8).
- Wu H, Zhu X, Wu Z, Li P, Chen Y, Ye Y, Wang J, Zhou E, Yang Z. The release of FB(1)-induced heterophil extracellular traps in chicken is dependent on autophagy and glycolysis.. Poult Sci 2023 Apr;102(4):102511.
- Borràs-Vallverdú B, Ramos AJ, Cantero-Martínez C, Marín S, Sanchis V, Fernández-Ortega J. Influence of Agronomic Factors on Mycotoxin Contamination in Maize and Changes during a 10-Day Harvest-Till-Drying Simulation Period: A Different Perspective.. Toxins (Basel) 2022 Sep 5;14(9).
- Tardieu D, Matard-Mann M, Collén PN, Guerre P. Strong Alterations in the Sphingolipid Profile of Chickens Fed a Dose of Fumonisins Considered Safe.. Toxins (Basel) 2021 Oct 30;13(11).
- Seepe HA, Nxumalo W, Amoo SO. Natural Products from Medicinal Plants against Phytopathogenic Fusarium Species: Current Research Endeavours, Challenges and Prospects.. Molecules 2021 Oct 29;26(21).
- N D, Achar PN, Sreenivasa MY. Current Perspectives of Biocontrol Agents for Management of Fusarium verticillioides and Its Fumonisin in Cereals-A Review.. J Fungi (Basel) 2021 Sep 18;7(9).
- Alberts J, Rheeder J, Gelderblom W, Shephard G, Burger HM. Rural Subsistence Maize Farming in South Africa: Risk Assessment and Intervention models for Reduction of Exposure to Fumonisin Mycotoxins.. Toxins (Basel) 2019 Jun 12;11(6).
- Sultana S, Kitajima M, Kobayashi H, Nakagawa H, Shimizu M, Kageyama K, Suga H. A Natural Variation of Fumonisin Gene Cluster Associated with Fumonisin Production Difference in Fusarium fujikuroi.. Toxins (Basel) 2019 Apr 3;11(4).
- Magoha H, Kimanya M, De Meulenaer B, Roberfroid D, Lachat C, Kolsteren P. Risk of dietary exposure to aflatoxins and fumonisins in infants less than 6 months of age in Rombo, Northern Tanzania.. Matern Child Nutr 2016 Jul;12(3):516-27.
- Hassan AM, Abdel-Aziem SH, El-Nekeety AA, Abdel-Wahhab MA. Panax ginseng extract modulates oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation and up-regulate gene expression in rats sub chronically treated with aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B 1.. Cytotechnology 2015 Oct;67(5):861-71.
- Nuryono, Noviandi CT, Agus A, Wedhastri S, Maryudani YB, Böhm J, Razzazi E. A survey of fumonisins (B1, B2, B3) in Indonesian corn-based food and feed samples.. Mycotoxin Res 2002 Jun;18 Suppl 2:117-20.
- Stockenström S, Sydenham EW, Thiel PG. Determination of fumonisins in corn: Evaluation of two purification procedures.. Mycotoxin Res 1994 Mar;10(1):9-14.
- Njobeh PB, Dutton MF, Koch SH, Chuturgoon AA, Stoev SD, Mosonik JS. Simultaneous occurrence of mycotoxins in human food commodities from Cameroon.. Mycotoxin Res 2010 Feb;26(1):47-57.
- Nuryono, Noviandi CT, Böhm J, Agus A, Wedhastri S, Maryudani YB, Razzazi-Fazeli E. Occurrence of fumonisins (B1, B 2, B 3) in maize-based food and feed samples from Indonesia.. Mycotoxin Res 2004 Mar;20(1):2-9.
- Rava E. Mycotoxins in maize products of the 1994/95 marketing season.. Mycotoxin Res 1996 Mar;12(1):25-30.
- Stępień Ł, Koczyk G, Waśkiewicz A. Diversity of Fusarium species and mycotoxins contaminating pineapple.. J Appl Genet 2013 Aug;54(3):367-80.
- Vizcarra-Olvera JE, Astiazarán-García H, Burgos-Hernández A, Parra-Vergara NV, Cinco-Moroyoqui FJ, Sánchez-Mariñez RI, Quintana-Obregón EA, Cortez-Rocha MO. Evaluation of pathological effects in broilers during fumonisins and clays exposure.. Mycopathologia 2012 Sep;174(3):247-54.
- Nutz S, Döll K, Karlovsky P. Determination of the LOQ in real-time PCR by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis: application to qPCR assays for Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum.. Anal Bioanal Chem 2011 Aug;401(2):717-26.
- McLean M. The phytotoxicity ofFusarium metabolites: An update since 1989.. Mycopathologia 1996 Mar;133(3):163-79.
- Ramirez ML, Pascale M, Chulze S, Reynoso MM, March G, Visconti A. Natural occurrence of fumonisins and their correlation to Fusarium contamination in commercial corn hybrids growth in Argentina.. Mycopathologia 1996 Jul;135(1):29-34.
- Huffman J, Gerber R, Du L. Recent advancements in the biosynthetic mechanisms for polyketide-derived mycotoxins.. Biopolymers 2010 Sep;93(9):764-76.
- Schjøth JE, Visconti A, Sundheim L. Fumonisins in maize in relation to climate, planting time and hybrids in two agroecological zones in Zambia.. Mycopathologia 2009 Apr;167(4):209-19.
- Ewuola EO, Gbore FA, Ogunlade JT, Bandyopadhyay R, Niezen J, Egbunike GN. Physiological response of rabbit bucks to dietary fumonisin: performance, haematology and serum biochemistry.. Mycopathologia 2008 Feb;165(2):99-104.
- Oliveira GR, Ribeiro JM, Fraga ME, Cavaglieri LR, Direito GM, Keller KM, Dalcero AM, Rosa CA. Mycobiota in poultry feeds and natural occurrence of aflatoxins, fumonisins and zearalenone in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.. Mycopathologia 2006 Nov;162(5):355-62.
- Sanchis V, Abadias M, Oncins L, Sala N, Viñas I, Canela R. Occurrence of fumonisins b(1) and b(2) in corn-based products from the spanish market.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994 Jun;60(6):2147-8.
- Klaasen JA, Nelson PE. Identity of Fusarium nygamai isolates with long and short microconidial chains from millet, sorghum and soil in Africa.. Mycopathologia 1997-1998;140(3):171-6.
- Ono EY, Fungaro MH, Sofia SH, Figueira EL, Gerage AC, Ichinoe M, Sugiura Y, Ueno Y, Hirooka EY. Trends of fumonisin contamination and animal intoxication through monitoring 1991 to 1997 corn crop in the State of Paraná, Brazil.. Mycopathologia 2004 Nov;158(4):451-5.
- Wang H, Li J, Bostock RM, Gilchrist DG. Apoptosis: A Functional Paradigm for Programmed Plant Cell Death Induced by a Host-Selective Phytotoxin and Invoked during Development.. Plant Cell 1996 Mar;8(3):375-391.
- Gelderblom WC, Seier JV, Snijman PW, Van Schalkwyk DJ, Shephard GS, Marasas WF. Toxicity of culture material of Fusarium verticillioides strain MRC 826 to nonhuman primates.. Environ Health Perspect 2001 May;109 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):267-76.
- Voss KA, Riley RT, Norred WP, Bacon CW, Meredith FI, Howard PC, Plattner RD, Collins TF, Hansen DK, Porter JK. An overview of rodent toxicities: liver and kidney effects of fumonisins and Fusarium moniliforme.. Environ Health Perspect 2001 May;109 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):259-66.
- Ono EY, Sugiura Y, Homechin M, Kamogae M, Vizzoni E, Ueno Y, Hirooka EY. Effect of climatic conditions on natural mycoflora and fumonisins in freshly harvested corn of the State of Paraná, Brazil.. Mycopathologia 1999;147(3):139-48.
- Magnoli CE, Saenz MA, Chiacchiera SM, Dalcero AM. Natural occurrence of Fusarium species and fumonisin-production by toxigenic strains isolated from poultry feeds in Argentina.. Mycopathologia 1999;145(1):35-41.
- Seo JA, Lee YW. Natural occurrence of the C series of fumonisins in moldy corn.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1999 Mar;65(3):1331-4.
- Fadl Allah EM. Occurrence and toxigenicity of Fusarium moniliforme from freshly harvested maize ears with special references to fumonisin production in Egypt.. Mycopathologia 1997-1998;140(2):99-103.
- Tseng TC, Liu CY. Occurrence of fumonisin B1 and B2 in corn-based foodstuffs in Taiwan market.. Mycopathologia 1997;137(1):57-61.
- Reddy RV, Johnson G, Rottinghaus GE, Casteel SW, Reddy CS. Developmental effects of fumonisin B1 in mice.. Mycopathologia 1996;134(3):161-6.
- Castellá G, Bragulat MR, Cabañes FJ. Mycoflora and fumonisin-producing strains of Fusarium moniliforme in mixed poultry feeds and component raw material.. Mycopathologia 1996;133(3):181-4.
- Wang W, Jones C, Ciacci-Zanella J, Holt T, Gilchrist DG, Dickman MB. Fumonisins and Alternaria alternata lycopersici toxins: sphinganine analog mycotoxins induce apoptosis in monkey kidney cells.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1996 Apr 16;93(8):3461-5.
- Chu FS, Li GY. Simultaneous occurrence of fumonisin B1 and other mycotoxins in moldy corn collected from the People's Republic of China in regions with high incidences of esophageal cancer.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994 Mar;60(3):847-52.
- Yoshizawa T, Yamashita A, Luo Y. Fumonisin occurrence in corn from high- and low-risk areas for human esophageal cancer in China.. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994 May;60(5):1626-9.
- Rheeder JP, Sydenham EW, Marasas WF, Thiel PG, Shephard GS, Schlechter M, Stockenström S, Cronje DE, Viljoen JH. Ear-rot fungi and mycotoxins in South African corn of the 1989 crop exported to Taiwan.. Mycopathologia 1994 Jul;127(1):35-41.
- Gross SM, Reddy RV, Rottinghaus GE, Johnson G, Reddy CS. Developmental effects of fumonisin B1-containing Fusarium moniliforme culture extract in CD1 mice.. Mycopathologia 1994 Nov;128(2):111-8.
- Julian AM, Wareing PW, Phillips SI, Medlock VF, MacDonald MV, del Río LE. Fungal contamination and selected mycotoxins in pre- and post-harvest maize in Honduras.. Mycopathologia 1995;129(1):5-16.
- Bacon CW, Porter JK, Norred WP. Toxic interaction of fumonisin B1 and fusaric acid measured by injection into fertile chicken egg.. Mycopathologia 1995;129(1):29-35.
- Restum JC, Bursian SJ, Millerick M, Render JA, Merrill AH Jr, Wang E, Rottinghaus GE, Aulerich RJ. Chronic toxicity of fumonisins from Fusarium moniliforme culture material (M-1325) to mink.. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1995 Nov;29(4):545-50.
- Martinova EA, Merrill AH Jr. Fumonisin B1 alters sphingolipid metabolism and immune function in BALB/c mice: immunological responses to fumonisin B1.. Mycopathologia 1995 Jun;130(3):163-70.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists