Fumonisins association with our food and health
Fumonisins belongs to a group of mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium verticillioides, a common contaminant of corn, maize based products and also bakery products. Fumonisins are naturally occurring toxins produced by several species of Fusarium fungi (moulds). A number of different types of fumonisin are known, but fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 (also named FB1, FB2 and FB3) are the abundent forms found in food.
What are its food sources?
Human exposure to fumonisins is dietary, with the toxins found in a variety of commercial foods, including corn meal, corn flour, grits, polenta, snack foods, and beer. In general, corn meal and baking mixes have higher levels than more highly processed products. Sweet corn and popcorn have low fumonisin concentrations. Fumonisin residues in meat, milk, and eggs are negligible. Milling and distilling do not appreciably degrade fumonisins.
Adverse health effects associated with fumonisins
These are fungal metabolites and infact are suspected human carcinogens. Intoxication of foods with fumonisins causes diarrhea and abdominal pain, and their chronic exposure is correlated with esophageal cancer in humans. Therefore, FB1 has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). Neural tube defects in the fetus has been observed in pregnant women with severe food intoxication with fumonisins.
Testing services in Eurofins
We perform advanced testing services to detect natural toxins in various food samples in accordance with FSSAI guidelines. FSSAI has recommended maximum upper limits for natural occurring toxic substances likelike Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, Ochratoxin A, Deoxynivalenol and Patulin. We perform analysis of natural toxins in various food groups like cereals and cereal products, spices, milk & dairy products, fruits & vegetables and many more.
We have advanced analytical techniques such as ELISA – Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, HPLC, Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSMS) for accurate, sensitive and rapid analysis of potential natural toxins.
