Efficiency of Gamma Irradiation to Inactivate Growth and Fumonisin Production of Fusarium moniliforme on Corn Grains

Abstract

The efficiency of gamma irradiation (0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 kGy) as a sterilization method of corn samples (30 g) artificially contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme stored at normal condition (25ºC with approximate relative humidity (RH) of 55%) and optimal condition (25ºC with a controlled RH of 97%) was studied. The results showed that the fungal growth and the amount of fumonisin were decreased as the dose of gamma irradiation increased. Gamma irradiation at 1-5 kGy treatment significantly inhibited the growth of F. moniliforme by 1-2 log reduction on corn samples (P < 0.05). Sublethal effect of gamma irradiation was observed at 10-20 kGy doses after storage, and a complete inactivation required 30 kGy. Fungal growth and fumonisin production increased with higher humidity and longer storage time in all corn samples. This study also demonstrated that there was no strict correlation between fungal growth and fumonisin production. Storage at normal condition significantly resulted in lower growth and fumonisin production of F. moniliforme as compared with those stored at optimal condition (P < 0.05). Gamma irradiation with the dose of ≥ 5 kGy followed by storage at normal condition successfully prolonged the shelf life of irradiated corns, intended for human and animal consumptions, up to 7 weeks.

Mycotoxins in maize: mitigation actions, with a chain management approach

“…Effects of UV or gamma irradiation have been reported in maize for AFB1 (Markov et al, 2015) and FBs (Mansur et al, 2014). Reductions of AFB1 by radiation were reported to range between 60 and 90% (Markov et al, 2015).…”

Effect of γ-irradiation on fumonisin producing Fusarium associated with animal and poultry feed mixtures

“…Effect of c-irradiation on growth and FB1 production by F. proliferatum C-ray effect on Fusarium growth and FB1 production was studied in PDA medium and in poultry feeds, respectively, according to Mansur et al (2014) with slight modification. PDA plates were inoculated with 7.5 mm diameter F. proliferatum disc.…”

“…Sreenivasa et al (2009) reported that irradiation dosage of 7.5 and 10 kGy was efficient in controlling Fusarium contamination in maize and sorghum samples even after 90 days of storage. Another study by Mansur et al (2014) showed that growth of F. verticillioides and fumonisin biosynthesis in maize decreased on exposure to higher doses (C5 kGy) of irradiation, and a complete inactivation of the fungus required 30 kGy.…”

Investigation of 60Co gamma irradiation on dehydration kinetics: A case study of apple slices

“…This field study provides an alternative method to hot‐air drying of apple slices after samples are pretreated by gamma irradiation. So far, gamma irradiation has been used in many cases of agricultural products for decontamination and/or sterilization of dehydrated vegetables (Geng, Wang, Liao, & Xia, 2014; Yang et al, 2006), fruits (Arvanitoyannis, Stratakos, & Tsarouhas, 2009; Mansur, Yu, & Oh, 2014; SádeCká, 2010), and animal foods (J. Wang & Chao, 2002), and then prolonging the storage time of the irradiated product. According to the Bulletin of the Meeting of Combined Expert Committee of FAO IAEA and WHO, commercialization of food irradiation is a critical issue discussed in scientific assemblies of the world.…”