Niveles de fumonisina B1 (FB1) y fumonisina B2 (FB2) en genotipos de maíz cultivados en el condado de Nakuru (Kenia)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple food crop for people in Kenya. It is usually contaminated by fungi especially Fusarium that produces mycotoxins, Fumonisins (FBs). This is a group of fungal toxins, occurring worldwide in maize infected by Fusarium verticillioides. Most common is Fumonisin FB1 whose intake above 2 mg/Kg body weight/day plays a role in Neural tube defect and/or Oesophangeal cancer. There is no available data on distribution of different FB1 production in various maize genotypes in Kenya. The objective of this study was to establish the levels of FB1 and FB2 in maize genotypes in Njoro and Molo Sub-Counties in Nakuru County, Kenya. Using purposive sampling, maize kernels showing no symptoms of Fusarium infection were collected from 277 farmers’ stores in Molo and Njoro Sub-Counties. Fumonisin (FB) levels were determined using Liquid Chromatography Mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The levels of Fumonisin B1 (FB1) showed that H629 had 4437.53 µg/kg while H614 had the lowest 1315.7 µg/kg FB1 levels. The levels of FB1 in locations tested using t-test were significantly different (P < 0.05). Levels of Fumonisin B2 (FB2) was higher in maize genotype H629 which had 628.1 µg/kg. This finding reveals presence of Fumonisins (FBs) on symptomless maize kernels and map out the levels of FBs in maize genotypes. This is to enlighten the public and the agricultural officers on the maize genotypes and the levels of Fumonisins (FBs) in each genotype, hence the need to grow maize genotypes that will have the minimal levels of Fumonisins (FBs) for this area under the same environmental condition.