PRESENCE OF FUMONISIN IN THE CORN-BASED FOODS MARKETED IN ISTANBUL

Fumonisins are a group of fungal metabolites produced by several Fusarium species and have high level toxic effect for human. Fumonisins classified as a human carcinogen are present in cereals, especially corns, which are prone to molding and the formation of mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to determine if corn-based foods marketed in İstanbul contain risky amounts of fumonisin on public health. Totally 75 samples (25 canned sweet corn, 25 corn flour and 25 corn flakes) are provided from several markets. Presence of fumonisin was detected by using ELISA. Out of all the corn flour samples 6 contained fumonisin higher than 2 mg/kg which is the maximum permitted level in Turkish Food Codex. In corn flakes and canned sweet corns no sample exceeded the permitted levels. The rusults indicates that the fumonisin contents of the corn flakes and canned sweet corns are not risky but the corn flours have potential risk for public health.