Caracterización del proceso tradicional del pelado de maíz con ceniza a ser utilizado como estrategia de detoxificación de aflatoxinas y fumonisinas. Caso de estudio: Nabón – Ecuador

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the process of dehulling maize using wood ash and to evaluate its effectiveness as a detoxification strategy for mycotoxins. Particurally, the presence of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) and fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) of 40 samples of dried and no-dehulled maize and 40 samples of wood ash dehulled maize from small producercs from Nabon were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Low prevalence of contamination with aflatoxins was observed in dried maize (2,5 % AFG2, 12,5% AFG1, 17,5% AFB2, 7,5%AFB1,) and an important prevalence of contamination with fumonisins (42,5% FB1, y 35% FB2); wich was reduced in dehulled maize (10,5% AFG1, 18% FB1 y 8% FB2). None of the samples exceed the maximum limits for aflatoxins established in Ecuador or FDA for fumonisin. The detoxifying effectiveness of the process of dehulling maize using wood ash was assessed by contrasting the concentrations of mycotoxins before and after the dehulling process, finding significant reductions in contamination for AFB1 (P = 0.004 ), AFB2 (P <0.001), FB1 (P = 0.033) and FB2 (P = 0.023). In addition, the influence of agricultural practices on aflatoxin and fumonisins contamination of maize was evaluated. Harvest in the period July-September was identified as a protective factor for AFG1 (OR; 0,087; IC: 0,008-0,87; P=0,039) and AFB2 (OR= IC: 0,128; P=0,027) . Also, cultivation in warm zones (OR=0,147; IC: 0,03-0,62; P=0,010) and rainwater irrigation (0,111; IC: 0,01-0,66; P=0,016) were identified as protective factors for FB2.