Aims: The aims of this work were to identify the mycoflora and to evaluate the natural occurrence of OA in dried vine fruits. Likewise, the capacity to produce OA by Aspergillus section Nigri was studied. Materials and Methods: Fifty samples of dried vine fruits were obtained from Mendoza and San Juan provinces. The surface disinfection method was used for mycoflora determination using the medium dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) and dichloran Rose Bengal chloramphenicol agar (DRBC). Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the species A. niger var. niger and Aspergillus niger var. awamori were isolated in higher frequency from black dried vine fruits from DRBC and DG18 media (P < 0AE01). OA was found in 74% of the dried vine fruits samples. Sixty-two strains (28%) of Aspergillus section Nigri, were OA producers. In the species A. carbonarius the highest percentages of ochratoxigenic strains were detected (82AE6%). Conclusions: The presence of ochratoxigenic strains of Nigri section in dried vine fruits suggests that they may be an important source of OA in this substrate. Dried vine fruits can also be an important source of OA people who consume large amounts. Significance and Impact of the Study: The dried vine fruits contamination with Aspergillus section Nigri and OA was significant.

Aim:  To determine fungal genera, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 (FB1) contamination from pre‐ and postfermented corn silage produced in the most important region of Argentina where silage practice is developed. Methods and Results:  Sampling of corn silos was performed manually through silos in transects at three levels: upper, middle and low sections. AFB1 and FB1 were quantified by high‐performance liquid chromatography, zearalenone by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and DON by gas chromatography. Over 90% of the samples showed counts higher than 1 × 104 CFU g−1. Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium verticillioides were the prevalent species. Some tested samples were contaminated with AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1. Conclusions:  This study demonstrates the presence of fungi and AFB1, ZEA, DON and FB1 contamination in corn silage in Argentina. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This manuscript makes a contribution to the knowledge of mycotoxins in Argentinean silage in particular because the environmental conditions in this country differ from those of most reports. The comparison of pre‐ and postfermentation silage is also outstanding. Therefore, information on fungi and mycotoxins present in silage – an increasingly popular commodity – is useful to estimate potential risk for animal and human health.

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