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Corn kernels naturally contaminated with fumonisins B1 and B2 were steeped by dipping the whole kernels in either water or a 0.3% solution of sodium bisulphite (pH = 5.7) for 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. The toxin content of both the solid and the liquid were analysed for each time period. A different rate of interchange between the solid matrix and the water solution was found for FB1 and FB2 and some differences were found in the fate of both fumonisins between the two steeping systems studied. In addition, a preliminary study of the distribution of FB1 and FB2 between the germ and the remaining part of the kernel was carried out.

Six 100 ppm fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) solutions were prepared by dissolving pure standard in six different solvents containing SO(2). Two of the solvents contained 0.2 or 0.4% SO(2) in distilled water. The other four solvents were obtained by steeping corn kernels at 60 degrees C in a 0.2% SO(2) aqueous solution for 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. After the addition of FB(1), all solutions were maintained at 60 degrees C for 7 days. Fumonisin B(1) content in each solution was determined in triplicate by HPLC. Steeping corn kernels in 0.2% solution at 60 degrees C for 6 h seems to be the most effective treatment to decrease the amount of FB(1).