Aflatoxin B1 occurrence in maize sampled from Croatian farms and feed factories during 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the level of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) in maize sampled from farms and feed factories situated in Northern, Central and Eastern Croatia during 2013, following the occurrence of cow milk AFM(1) contamination. Maize samples (n = 633) were analysed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) as a screening method and High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a confirmatory method. Mean AFB(1) value found in maize coming from all investigated regions equalled to 81 mu g/kg, with the maximal value of 2072 mu g/kg found in maize obtained from Eastern Croatia. The observed contamination might have arisen on the grounds of extremely hot (>98%) and dry (<2%) weather witnessed from May to September 2012 during the maize growth and harvesting period, which might have favoured AFB(1) production and consequently the contamination of dairy cattle feeds. In order to prevent the adverse effects of AFB(1) on humans and animals, and also to reduce losses in agricultural production, systematic monitoring and further investigations of AFB(1) contamination are necessary. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.