Fumonisins have become more prevalent at higher concentrations in raw commodities and finished feeds in recent years, according to the latest annual "BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey" data.

“Fumonisins showed the highest percentage increase in global occurrence among the major agriculturally relevant mycotoxins, which include aflatoxins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2, fumonisins and ochratoxin A,” reported Ines Taschl, product manager for mycotoxin risk management at BIOMIN.

In 2017, 69% of samples analyzed tested positive for fumonisins, up from 61% the year prior.

Fumonisins, which are produced by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium verticilloides, predominantly contaminate corn, corn byproducts and soybeans. They constitute the second-most commonly found mycotoxin. DON, also known as vomitoxin, consistently ranks as the most common mycotoxin globally.

“The shift in the composition of the mycotoxin threat is noticeable when comparing data sets over the years, and the trend towards higher fumonisin levels globally can be observed in every region,” Taschl said.

Regional examples of fumonisins on the rise include:

* In North America, 46% of samples analyzed tested positive for fumonisins at an average concentration of 2,187 parts per billion in 2016 and reached 52% of samples at an average of 2,441 ppb in 2017.

* In Asia Pacific, 97% of corn samples tested positive for fumonisins.

* In Argentina, the average concentration of fumonisins rose from 1,808 ppb in 2016 to 2,800 ppb in 2017.

* In Central Europe, the prevalence of fumonisins has increased steadily since 2015.

“While fumonisins are typically found in warmer climates, they have been recorded at greater frequency in more moderate zones,” Taschl explained.

The maximum value registered for fumonisins was 290,517 ppb, which was sourced from a finished feed sample in the U.S.

On Feb. 14, BIOMIN and Romer Labs will host a live webinar covering the rise of fumonisins, detection methods and the latest annual results of the mycotoxin survey.

The webinar is free to attend, and two online sessions will be offered in order to facilitate participation from various time zones. Online registration is required at www.biomin.net. Webinar attendees will be the first to receive the 2017 "BIOMIN Mycotoxin Survey" report.