Survey of corn for aflatoxin, zearalenone, and ochratoxin.

A total of 283 corn samples from commercial markets, including samples from all grades, from the crop year 1967, were assayed for the presence of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone. Samples were extracted and assayed by the procedure developed by the FDA for multitoxin analysis. The sensitivity limits of the analysis as carried out were 1-3 parts per billion (ppb) aflatoxin B-1 and G-1, 50 ppb ochratoxin A, and 200 ppb zearalenone. 6 of the samples (5 in sample grade (SG) and 1 in grade 3) contained aflatoxin in low levels. One SG corn contained ochratoxin A. Zearalenone was identified in 2 SG samples, and F-3, an oestrogenic factor related to zearalenone, could also be present.