Contamination of aflatoxin on maize kernels in Thailand

Abstract

The effect of the maturity and damage of the maize kernels on aflatoxin contamination was investigated in Lop-Buni Pry., Thailand. None of the kernel samples contained the detectable levels of aflatoxin B1 (Af B1) at harvest, whether they were matured or not. During storage for 60 days, the Af Bl contamination did not occur in the matured samples harvest in both rainy and dry season as well as the immatured in dry season, even when they were mechanically damaged. On the contrary, the immatured samples harvested in rainy season were contaminated with Af B1 during storage. The mechanical damage markedly increased the Af B1 contamination in above samples. The amount of Af B1 began to incsease about 20 days after harvest, reached its maximum at 30 to 40 days, and decreased thereafter.