Mycotoxin contamination of maize grains grown in Karnataka (India).

One hundred and ninety seven maize samples representing different cultivars, collected from different agroclimatic regions of Karnataka (India) were analysed for moisture content, mould incidence, ergosterol and extent of mycotoxin contamination. Moisture content determination by the hot-air oven method revealed significantly high levels of moisture content (15-18%) in 34 (17%) samples, which exceeded the permissible limit for safe storage. Ergosterol quantification by HPLC revealed the presence of ergosterol in many samples collected from rural areas of Karnataka irrespective of the moisture content. Mould enumeration based on blotter and agar plating methods revealed the association of 24 diverse species of both field and storage moulds belonging to 14 genera. Mycotoxins analyses using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) revealed mycotoxin contamination in 69 (34.8%) samples. Maize samples with a high incidence of diverse species of moulds and alarmingly high levels of mycotoxins in many samples indicate the need for proper surveillance and monitoring exclusively for the prevention of moulds and mycotoxins in maize produce in Karnataka before it reaches the consumer.