Effect of storage conditions on the production of fumonisins in maize grains

Effect of storage conditions on the accumulation of fumonisins in maize grains and biomass production of toxigenic Fusarium spp. was ascertained. The maize grains with three initial moisture contents (less than 12 per cent, 12–20 per cent and more than 20 per cent) inoculated with most toxigenic strain of F. verticillioides (F27), stored in three packaging materials (high density polyethylene bags, gunny bags and cotton cloth bags) at 25±2°C, ambient temperature and 35±2°C. Best correlation was found between amount of fumonisins produced and the storage temperature as well as moisture content. Maximum amount of FB1 i.e. 270.72 ppm was produced in grains stored with >20% initial moisture content in high density polybags at 35±°C. FB1 was detected to the highest level in all the grains stored in polybags at different temperature and moisture levels, whereas, least in cloth bags under all the storage conditions.