Herbicidal properties of the thaxtomin group of phytotoxins

The thaxtomins are a group of phytotoxins generated by the bacterium Streptomyces scabies (the main causal organism of potato common scab). Available members of the group were assessed for herbicidal activity by a variety of standard tests. Test results indicated that thaxtomin A, the predominant member, was also the most physiologically active. Injury symptoms in most instances were similar to those caused by known cellulose biosynthetic inhibitors such as dichlobenil and isoxaben. Although test results indicated that the thaxtomins had many of the biological properties desirable in a commercial herbicide, they nevertheless lacked the systemic phytotoxicity critical to deliver reliable weed control at low rates.     

Chemistry and phytotoxicity of thaxtomin A alkyl ethers

The thaxtomin phytotoxins (1 and 2) from scab-producing Streptomyces pathogens of the potato are 2,5-dioxopiperazines consisting of modified l-tryptophanyl and l-phenylalanyl units. Thaxtomin A (1) is hydroxylated at C-14, the alpha carbon of the modified l-phenylalanyl moiety. Refluxing thaxtomin A in acidified MeOH, EtOH, and i-PrOH afforded C-14 thaxtomin A methyl- (3a and 3b), ethyl- (4a and 4b), and isopropyl- (5a and 5b) ethers, respectively, in both the 11S,14R (3a, 4a, and 5a) and 11S,14S (3b, 4b, and 5b) configurations. Crystal structures were determined for 3a and 4a. Extensive NMR as well as other spectroscopic data supported structural assignments for all of the derivatives. The 11S,14R-configured derivatives were slightly less potent than the natural products (1 and 2) as inhibitors of lettuce seedling root growth, whereas the activity of the 11S,14S epimers was much reduced, indicating that the configuration at C-14 found in the naturally occurring thaxtomins is essential for biological activity. Among the 11S,14R-configured compounds, potency decreased with an increasing size of the substituted alkoxy group.     

连作马铃薯不同生育期根系分泌物的成分检测及其自毒效应

为探讨马铃薯连作障碍的可能机理,在大田条件下,以轮作为对照(CK),收集连作5年(CP5)马铃薯植株在不同生育期的根系分泌物,采用GC-MS对根系分泌物的主要成分进行了鉴定,并通过生物检测验证了根系分泌物的自毒效应。结果表明:CK和CP5处理的马铃薯在不同生育期的根系分泌物均鉴定出糖类、酸类、胺类、脂类、醇类和嘧啶类等成分,以糖类和酸类物质居多;CP5处理根系分泌物的成分较CK复杂,酸类物质含量有升高的趋势。连作改变了马铃薯根系分泌物的化学组成和含量:CP5处理在苗期、现蕾期和开花期的根系分泌物中均鉴定出邻苯二甲酸二丁酯,相对含量分别为0.16%、0.21%和0.24%,CK处理未检测到;CP5处理在苗期、现蕾期和开花期的根系分泌物中均鉴定出棕榈酸,相对含量分别为0.34%、1.12%和0.47%,CK处理仅在现蕾期和开花期鉴定出棕榈酸的存在,但相对含量仅为0.56%和0.24%。生物检测试验结果表明,棕榈酸和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯显著抑制了马铃薯生长,1 mmol·L-1棕榈酸和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯对马铃薯生长的抑制作用远远大于0.5 mmol·L-1的抑制作用。棕榈酸和邻苯二甲酸二丁酯是马铃薯根系分泌的自毒物质,但二者未表现出物质的叠加效应。现蕾期马铃薯根系分泌物所含的物质最多,是马铃薯根系分泌物收集的适宜时期。     

施肥位置与杂草管理对间作玉米、马铃薯生长和产量的影响

【目的】施肥和除草是农业生产中两大重要的管理措施。近年来,施肥位置作为一种精准施肥措施越来越引起关注,本研究调查了施肥位置与杂草防控在玉米、马铃薯间作中对作物生长和产量的影响。【方法】采用2∶2间作行比,进行了玉米、马铃薯间作大田试验。杂草管理设除草和不除草,施肥位置处理包括:均匀施肥(HF)、种间行施肥(TERF)和种内行施肥(TRAF),共6个处理,每个处理3次重复。调查了间作玉米、马铃薯的株高、生物量、根系总生物量和产量,以及杂草生物量。【结果】施肥位置和杂草管理对玉米产量、生物量和株高均有显著影响,且存在显著的交互效应(产量P <0.001、生物量P=0.002、株高P=0.007)。相比于均匀施肥,在不除草情况下,种间行和种内行施肥均显著提高了玉米的产量、生物量和株高。而在除草情况下,种内行施肥显著提高了玉米的产量和生物量,种间行施肥仅显著增加了玉米的株高。除草对马铃薯株高无显著影响(P=0.494),但显著提高了马铃薯产量和生物量(P <0.001)。施肥位置对马铃薯产量(P=0.114)、生物量(P=0.580)和株高(P=0.772)均无显著影响。在均匀施肥和种内行施肥下,除草显著提高根系总生物量(P <0.001),但在种间行施肥下则无显著影响。不论除草与否,与均匀施肥相比,种内行施肥显著提高了玉米、马铃薯的根系总生物量(P <0.001)。施肥位置(P=0.001)和生长位置(P <0.001)均对杂草生物量有显著影响。与均匀施肥相比,种内行施肥显著降低种间行和马铃薯种内行的杂草生物量,而种间行施肥对种间行杂草生物量无显著影响,但显著降低两种作物的种内行杂草生物量。【结论】在玉米、马铃薯间作体系中,种内行施肥结合除草,可显著促进玉米和马铃薯根系发育,抑制杂草生物量,进而提高产量及肥料施用效果。     

Method for determination of pentobarbital in dry dog food by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A procedure has been developed and validated for measuring the concentration of pentobarbital residues in dry, extruded animal feed in the range of 3-200 ng/g (ppb) with an estimated limit of quantitation of 2 ppb. The method was developed for surveillance purposes: to measure the concentration of euthanizing agent which might be present in feeds incorporating rendered products which themselves might include some fraction of euthanized animals. A previously published qualitative procedure was modified by adding isotopically labelled pentobarbital as an internal standard. Dry feed was ground and extracted with methanol. The extract was loaded on a mixed-mode (C-18, anion exchange) solid-phase extraction cartridge designed for barbiturate residues. Pentobarbital was eluted and derivatized for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in positive ion chemical ionization mode. Quantitation was based on the ratio of dimethyl-pentobarbital MH+ (m/z 255) vs dimethyl-pentobarbital-d(5) (m/z 260) in standards and extracts. Accuracy ranged from 112% at 3 ppb to 96% at 200 ppb, with relative standard deviations ranging from 4% at 3 ppb to 2% at 200 ppb.     

浣熊黄曲霉毒素中毒病例报告

1989年10月,广西某动物园饲养的浣熊突然发病,经临床检查,出现中毒性症状:死亡后剖检和组织学检查,所见病理变化为中毒性病变;细菌学检查未见病原性细菌;已停用的饲料玉米粒含 AFT B 640 ppb;正在用的饲料玉米粉含 AFT B 235 ppb;用饲料加工的饲用混合饭团含 AFT B 184 ppb;死亡浣熊肝脏、肾脏残留的 AFT B_1分别为10 ppb 和2 ppb.诊断:浣熊是由于黄曲霉毒素亚急性中毒引起发病死亡.     

间作对马铃薯根系及坡耕地红壤结构稳定性的影响

为了揭示间作对马铃薯根系和坡耕地红壤结构稳定性的影响,田间试验采用随机区组设计,设置马铃薯单作、玉米马铃薯间作2个处理,测定马铃薯各生育阶段的土壤团聚体稳定性指标、根系形态特征及其分泌物含量,分析了不同种植模式下马铃薯的根系形态及其分泌物对土壤团聚体稳定性的影响。结果表明：(1)在同一种植模式下,除根平均直径外的马铃薯根系形态特征指标均随生育期的推移呈先增加后降低的趋势。在马铃薯的开花期和块茎膨大期,间作马铃薯根系总根长、总根表面积和总根体积与单作相比均较高,且在块茎膨大期间作马铃薯根系总根长、总根表面积和总根体积相对于单作分别显著增加了24.41%,24.75%,35.03%(p<0.05)。(2)马铃薯根系分泌物总糖和总有机酸含量随生育期推移的变化趋势与形态指标变化相同,呈先增加后降低趋势。马铃薯块茎膨大期的根系分泌物总糖、总有机酸含量与单作相比分别显著增加了37.85%,34.64%(p<0.05)。(3)在单间作种植模式下,土壤团聚体稳定性指标R_0.25,MWD和GMD均随生育期的推移呈增加趋势(p>0.05),D呈显著下降趋势(p<...     

玉米-大豆和玉米-甘薯套作对玉米生长及氮素吸收的影响

【目的】利用根系分隔技术, 研究不同需氮特性的旋花科、 豆科作物与玉米套作后,玉米的生长特性与养分吸收差异及其增产机理。【方法】采用石英砂培盆栽试验,二因素完全随机试验设计。以玉米-大豆、 玉米-甘薯两种套作模式为研究对象,设计不分隔、 部分分隔、 完全分隔三种隔根方式。分析不同套作模式下不同隔根方式对玉米地下根系活力、 根系生物量及地上植株叶片光合特性、 籽粒产量和吸氮量的影响。【结果】1)不同种植模式对玉米生长有显著影响,不分隔处理时,与大豆套作的玉米根系活力、 籽粒重及地上植株总吸氮显著高于与甘薯套作的玉米,分别高6.25%、 8.69%和18.89%; 部分分隔或完全分隔时,两套作处理间差异不显著(P0.05)。 2)隔根方式影响玉米的物质积累及籽粒产量,表现为不分隔部分分隔完全分隔。3)不分隔有助于促进共生玉米生长,但不同套作模式的影响效果不一致;玉米-大豆套作处理下,不分隔处理的玉米根系活力、 净光合速率、 籽粒产量和总吸氮量均高于隔根处理,比完全分隔处理的分别高25.65%、 27.31%、 64.69%和71.65%;玉米-甘薯套作下增加幅度为17.59%、 19.83%、 52.38%和46.21%,分别比玉米-大豆套作处理低31.44%、 27.39%、 19.03%和35.51%。 4)相关分析表明,两种套作处理玉米地下根系干重与地上植株干物质重、 叶片光合速率及籽粒重显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.984、 0.927和0.986(P0.01);且地下根系活力与地上植株叶片净光合速率显著正相关,相关系数达0.929(P0.01)。【结论】种植模式和隔根方式显著影响了玉米的物质积累及氮素吸收。根系不分隔时,玉米－大豆套作处理下玉米的根系活力、 净光合速率、 生物量、 籽粒产量及总吸氮量显著高于玉米－甘薯套作;隔根处理导致的生物量和吸氮量下降主要是由根系活力降低引起的。与玉米-甘薯套作相比,大豆促进了玉米根系活力的提高,有效调节了玉米地上部植株光合作用及干物质积累,实现产量和氮素吸收的增加。     

水稻苗期耐高Cu2+胁迫的QTL定位和上位性分析

用珍汕97B/密阳46构建RIL群体及其遗传图谱,对其种子采用沙培法育苗和培养,试验设置2个高浓度(100.mg/L和200.mg/L)Cu2+胁迫处理,以处理20.d后的幼苗相对根长(%)和相对苗高(%)作为苗期耐Cu2+胁迫指标,并用于QTL定位分析。结果表明,试验共检测到苗期耐Cu2+胁迫的主效应QTL.4个,以相对根长为指标,检测到qRCC(r)6(100.mg/L)和qRCC(r)9(200.mg/L),以相对苗高为指标,也检测到qRCC(s)1-2(100.mg/L和200mg/L)和qRCC(r)6-1(200.mg/L),有效基因分散于双亲中。试验还检测到苗期耐Cu2+胁迫的上位性互作8对,以相对根长为指标时,检测到2对互作;以相对苗高为指标时,检测到6对上位性互作。表明水稻苗期耐高浓度Cu2+胁迫,其上位性互作也起到较为重要作用。     

Potassium and sodium fertilization affects leaf nutrient content and growth of ‘Shawnee’ blackberry

Aluminum (Al) has many detrimental effects on plant growth, and shoots and roots are normally affected differently. A study was conducted to determine differences among sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes with broad genetic backgrounds for growth traits of plants grown at 0,200,400,600, and 800 μM Al in nutrient solutions (pH 4.0). Genotypes were categorized into “Al‐sensitive”, “intermediate Al‐tolerant”, “Al‐tolerant”, and SC 283 (an Al‐tolerant standard). As Al increased, shoot and root dry matter (DM), net main axis root length (NMARL), and total root length (TRL) became lower than controls (0 Al). Aluminum toxicity and/or nutrient deficiency symptoms become more severe, and shoot to root DM ratios and specific RL (TRL/root DM) values also changed as Al in solution increased. Root DM had greater changes among genotypes than shoot DM, and NMARL at 400 μM Al, and TRL at 200 μM Al had greater differences among genotypes than root DM, ratings for toxicity and/or deficiency symptoms, and other DM and RL traits. The wide differences among genotypes for NMARL and TRL could be used more effectively to evaluate sorghum genotypes for tolerance to Al toxicity than the other growth traits.     

蚯蚓菌根互作对土壤酶活、 甘薯根系生长及养分吸收的影响

【目的】蚯蚓和丛枝菌根真菌处于不同的营养级,但在促进植物生长和提高土壤肥力等方面却都发挥着积极作用。单独对土壤微生物或土壤动物的研究较多,但对土壤微生物与土壤动物之间相互作用的研究很少。因此研究它们对土壤和植物生长的作用可为挖掘土壤生物的潜力和提高土壤生物肥力提供依据。【方法】采用盆栽试验,研究了蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)与丛枝菌根真菌(Rhizophagus irregularis)互作对甘薯生长和养分吸收的影响。试验采用两因素完全随机试验设计,分为接种和不接种菌根真菌及添加和不添加蚯蚓。试验共4个处理: 不加菌根和蚯蚓(CK); 接种菌根真菌(AM); 添加蚯蚓(E); 添加蚯蚓和菌根真菌(E+AM),每个处理4次重复。调查了甘薯养分吸收、 根系形态及土壤养分变化,采用Canoco4.5软件对土壤生物与植物对应关系进行RDA (redundancy analysis)分析。【结果】接种菌根真菌显著提高了甘薯地上和地下部生物量(P0.05),而添加蚯蚓的处理仅提高了甘薯地上部生物量。同时添加蚯蚓和菌根的处理显著提高了甘薯地上地下部生物量,并且高于其他三个处理(P0.05)。与对照相比,接种菌根真菌显著提高了土壤磷酸酶活性(P0.01),增幅近一倍; 同时提高了土壤磷的植物有效性,土壤有效磷含量下降了30%左右。添加蚯蚓后土壤脲酶活性从5.45 mg NH+4-N/g显著增加到8.71 mg NH+4-N/g,土壤碱解氮的含量从5.82 mg/kg显著增加到6.89 mg/kg (P0.05)。RDA分析表明蚯蚓菌根互作对甘薯地上和地下部氮磷含量、 根表面积、 根体积、 根平均直径和根尖数均存在显著的正交互效应。蚯蚓菌根互作通过调控土壤酶和改变土壤养分有效性促进甘薯对土壤氮磷养分的吸收。【结论】蚯蚓(Eisenia fetida)通过调控土壤脲酶和碱性磷酸酶增加了土壤中氮磷的有效性从而促进甘薯地上部生长。丛枝菌根真菌(Rhizophagus irregularis)通过调控土壤磷酸酶和增加植株地上地下部吸磷量从而促进甘薯生长。添加蚯蚓或接种菌根真菌均能增加根系吸收面积和根体积从而促进甘薯对养分的吸收。蚯蚓和菌根真菌相互作用通过调控土壤酶和改变土壤养分有效性以及促进根系发育从而互补的促进甘薯养分吸收和生长。     

Boron fertilization effects in processing grade potato on an Inceptisol of West Bengal,India

A 2-year field trial was conducted in processing grade potato cv. Kufri Chipsona-3. The treatments comprised recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (200:150:150 N:P₂O₅:K₂O kg ha^?1) with or without boron (B) application (soil and foliar). The results revealed that B fertilization significantly increased tuber number and yield. Three sprays of 0.1% boric acid (at 40, 50 and 60 days after planting) produced the maximum number and yield of tubers and enhanced B uptake in potato tuber, haulm as well as in total plant accounting 85.8, 182.0 and 169.8% more than control, respectively. The same treatment came up with greatest net return and benefit: cost ratio. B fertilization exerted significant influence on available N and B status of post-harvest soil, while the effect was non-significant on available P and K. Results suggest that right dose and method of B application is vital for optimizing tuber yield and B-use efficiency for processing grade potato.     

Effect of sulfur,calcium, and boron on tissue nutrient concentration and potato yield 1

Field studies were conducted over three years on Podzol soils in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) on the effect of sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), and boron (B) fertilization on tissue nutrient concentration and potato yield. Leaf tissues were sampled at 10% bloom and again two weeks later for S, Ca, and B analysis. In the absence of S fertilization, S deficiency symptoms, as evidenced by lighter green foliage were found. The mean tuber yield response due to S addition was 1.1 (SE = 0.40) t/ha. Addition of S either as gypsum or magnesium sulfate was effective in overcoming the S deficiency symptoms and in increasing the S concentration in the leaves. Calcium and B additions did not affect the tuber yields. While Ca applications were ineffective in increasing the Ca concentration in the leaf tissue, B applications significantly increased the leaf tissue B concentration in both samplings. The interaction effects between S, Ca, and B were not significant on any of the components tested. Data indicated that 0.25 to 0.27 and 0.28 to 0.32% S in potato leaves were in the S deficiency and sufficiency range, respectively. This is the first documented case of S deficiency in the field in P.E.I. Potatoes and possibly other crops should be monitored for S‐deficiency symptoms and S levels in plant tissues should be recorded to detect any trends.     

氮肥用量对滨海滩涂区甘薯干物质积累、氮素效率和钾钠吸收的影响

我国沿海滩涂种植能源作物甘薯有广阔的前景。为确定苏北滩涂区甘薯适宜施氮量,比较了6个施氮水平下甘薯的成活率(SR)、商品率(CR)、蔓薯比(V/T)、干物质积累(DMA)、氮素累积值(NAV)、氮利用效率(NUE)、氮收获指数(NHI)及钾钠吸收的差异。结果表明:(1)施氮量与甘薯地上部分DMA和NAV均呈极显著正相关(P<0.01,余同),对地下部分NAV影响较小(P>0.05)。(2)与不施氮比较,施氮60 kg(N)·hm-2对甘薯的V/T、SR、NUE和NHI均无显著影响。(3)甘薯的CR、地下部分和块根DMA以及理论产量(NAV×NUE×NHI)均以施氮60 kg(N)·hm-2显著高于其他处理。施氮量超过60 kg(N)·hm-2,施氮量与甘薯的V/T值呈极显著正相关,与SR、CR、NUE、NHI、地下部分和块根DMA均呈极显著负相关。(4)甘薯对钾钠的吸收量均随施氮量的增加而增加,二者呈极显著正相关。甘薯地上部分钾钠含量均在施氮量为60 kg(N)·hm-2时达到最高值。施氮量对钾钠含量比没有影响。因此,苏北滩涂区甘薯适宜施氮量为60 kg(N)·hm-2。     

The effect of subsoiling and irrigation on potato production

Thin tillage pans restrict water movement and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) root penetration in fine-textured soils of the Columbia Basin in central Washington State, U.S.A. Deep chiseling beneath potato rows, with simultaneous deep incorporation of fertilizer, was used to break-up the pans, enabling deeper root development. The effects of subsoiling on soil physical conditions and on potato production were examined under varying rates of irrigation. Deep tillage decreased soil strengths and bulk densities and increased porosity to depths of 10–16 cm below the pans. These improved subsoil physical conditions resulted in deeper root penetration, but the additional rooting only amounted to a small increase to the total root system. Cubic polynomial regressions demonstrated that subsoiling significantly increased potato yields under very droughty conditions but had no significant effects at intermediate (near optimum) levels of water application. Potato quality (percentage of U.S. No. 1 grade tubers and tuber specific gravity) was generally unaffected by deep tillage. These results indicate that, for potatoes, appropriate irrigation management can be used to overcome problems of restricted root penetration and impeded water movement caused by tillage pans.     

Developing disease-suppressive soils through crop rotation and tillage management practices

A field laboratory was established in Prince Edward Island, Canada, to determine the effects of 2- and 3-year crop rotations, with conventional and minimum tillage treatments, on the severity of soilborne diseases of potato. The 2-year rotation consisted of spring barley and potato (cv. ‘Russet Burbank’), and the 3-year rotation was barley (undersown with red clover), red clover and potato. Examination of potato stem, stolon, and tuber tissues revealed significantly (P=0.05) lower levels of canker and black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani, in plants grown in 3-year vs. 2-year rotations. The severity of dry rot (Fusarium spp.) and silver scurf (Helminthosporium solani) was significantly (P=0.05) lower in tubers from plots managed with 3-year rotations and minimum tillage practices. Potato tubers harvested from 3-year rotational soils were significantly (P=0.05) less diseased than those from 2-year rotational soils following inoculation with Phytophthora erythroseptica, causal agent of pink rot. In greenhouse experiments using field soils from 2- and 3-year rotations, we found that potato plants growing in 3-year rotational soils were significantly (P=0.05) less diseased than those growing in 2-year rotational soils following inoculation with P. erythroseptica. Analysis of root zone bacteria recovered from the rhizosphere (exoroot) and potato root tissues (endoroot) showed that the greatest antibiosis activity inhibiting the growth of soilborne pathogens in vitro occurred in bacterial isolates recovered from the endoroot tissues of 3-year rotation crops under minimum tillage management. Our evidence supports the view that soil agroecosystems can be modified through rotation and conservation tillage practices to improve disease suppression by enhancing the antibiosis abilities of endophytic and root zone bacteria (endo- and exoroot).     

Mycoflora and multimycotoxin detection in corn silage: experimental study

Agricultural activities involve the use of crop preservation such as "trench-type" silo, which can sometimes be contaminated by fungi. To investigate the exposure of livestock and farm workers to fungal spores and mycotoxins, a multimycotoxin analysis method has been developed. Six mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, citrinin, deoxynivalenol, gliotoxin, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone) were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction. An experimental study of fungal species and mycotoxins was conducted in corn silage (Normandy, France) during 9 months of monitoring. The results indicated the recurrence of around 20 different species, with some of them being potentially toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium verticillioides, and Monascus ruber, and the detection of aflatoxin B1 (4-34 ppb), citrinin (4-25 ppb), zearalenone (23-41 ppb), and deoxynivalenol (100-213 ppb). This suggested a possible chronic exposure to low levels of mycotoxins.     

ZINC,MANGANESE AND PHOSPHORUS INTERRELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON IRON AND COPPER IN CHELATOR-BUFFERED SOLUTION GROWN RUSSET BURBANK POTATO

Three hydroponic experiments were conducted with Russet Burbank potato to elucidate zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) relationships and associated interactions with other nutrients at different levels of phosphorus (P). Except when P was optimal, root Mn concentration was reduced at optimal solution Zn relative to deficient or excessive Zn levels. Shoot Mn generally increased with augmented solution Zn. As solution Zn increased, root P declined while shoot P and copper (Cu) and root iron (Fe) and Cu increased. Increasing solution Mn generally decreased Zn in all plant tissues—especially in roots. The Mn influence on plant P, Cu, and Fe concentrations was nearly opposite the Zn impact, indicating that Zn and Mn have counter effects. Partitioning between root and shoot micronutrient concentrations occurred when available P was either deficient or excessive, which may also help explain poor plant health and adverse micronutrient relationships in potato when available P is not optimally maintained.     

Effect of Aflatoxin B1 on Dry‐Grind Ethanol Process

Aflatoxins, like all mycotoxins, are toxic fungal metabolites that can have adverse health effects on animals and human beings. Aflatoxins are a major concern for the dry‐grind corn processing industry as it is believed that aflatoxins affect yeast and reduce its efficacy in producing ethanol. In the present study, aflatoxin B1 (100, 200, 350, or 775 ppb) was added to mycotoxin‐free corn and laboratory‐scale fermentations were conducted. No effect of aflatoxin B1 was observed on the fermentation rates or final ethanol concentrations. Mean ethanol concentration in the fermenter was 14.01–14.51% (v/v) at 60 hr for all the treatments. In the dry‐grind ethanol process, 55% of aflatoxin B1 was detected in wet grains and 45% in thin stillage.     

A gas chromatography-flame ionization detection method for detection of fusaproliferin in corn

A sensitive and accurate detection method is of great importance in monitoring fusaproliferin levels in foods and animal feeds and evaluating its potential hazard to human and animal health. Several methods have been developed to detect fusaproliferin in cereals and cereal-related products, including thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography (GC), and GC-MS. However, these detection methods either suffer from low sensitivity, need expensive instruments, or are susceptible to interfering substances in the sample matrix. The GC-flame ionization detector method developed herein is sensitive, reliable, and easy to use for detecting fusaproliferin in corn and corn-based samples. Its detection limits were 0.04 ng for standard trimethylsilyl-fusaproliferin and about 5 ppb for fusaproliferin in corn samples. The limits of quantitation of this method were 0.15 ng fusaproliferin/injection and 20 ppb of fusaproliferin in corn samples. The recovery rates of fusaproliferin from corn samples spiked with 200, 1000, and 5000 ppb standard fusaproliferin were 109, 85.7, and 98.9% on average. The repeatability of the method was acceptable when evaluated by the Horwitz equation. Of the tested corn samples, three out of five sweet corn and the three yellow corn samples were found to have low levels of fusaproliferin (9.4-45.3 ppb). A moldy corn sample had a fusaproliferin content of 297 ppb.