Variation of Free, Masked, and Emerging Mycotoxin Metabolites in Maize from Agriculture Regions of South Africa.

The presence of mycotoxins in cereal grain is a very important food safety issue with the occurrence of masked mycotoxins extensively investigated in recent years. This study investigated the variation of different metabolites (including the related regulated, masked, and emerging mycotoxin) in maize from various agriculture regions of South Africa. The relationship between the maize producing regions, the maize type, as well as the mycotoxins was established.

Occurrence of filamentous fungi in maize destined for human consumption in South Africa.

One-hundred maize samples were analyzed for fungal contamination using conventional and molecular methods. The percentage incidence of different genera isolated revealed the predominance of (82%), (63%), and species (33%) compared to other genera. occurred in 90% and 74% of small scale and commercial samples, respectively, while occurred in small scale and commercial samples at an incidence rate of 64% and 62%, respectively.