Fumonisin

Rapid tests for fumonisin from Neogen can screen a wide variety of grain and grain product samples at 5 ppm, or provide fully quantitative results in the range of 50 to 600 ppb (high sensitivity test), or 0.5 to 6 ppm.

Fumonisin are a family of mycotoxins produced by the moulds Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum. These moulds commonly infect corn (in fact, they are considered ubiquitous in corn) and rice, hence the potential for fumonisins to be found in feed and foodstuffs is high. Fumonisin affect various animals differently and have been linked to esophageal cancer in humans. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies fumonisins as Category II-B carcinogens. Horses are extremely sensitive to low amounts of fumonisin, which can cause leukoencephalomalcia (liquefaction of the brain). In swine, research has shown fumonisin attacks the cardiopulmonary system causing pulmonary edema, as well as liver and pancreatic lesions. The FDA has issued guidelines for total fumonisins (FB1+FB2+FB3) in corn and corn by-products in food and animal feeds.