Contamination of fumonisin in feeds from different regions of China.

Abstract

Background: Fumonisin (FUM) is a group of mycotoxins commonly found on corn, wheat, and their by-products, and has been linked to multiple animal and human health concerns. This study was conducted to investigate the contamination of FUM in feeds from different regions of China in 2025. A total of 1,128 feed samples, including 836 corn samples, 204 corn by-product samples, and 88 complete feed samples, were collected from different provinces of China for FUM analysis.

Results: The analysis revealed a relatively high incidence of FUM contamination in the feed samples. Detection rates were 80.1%, 59.4%-100%, and 94.7%-100% in corn, corn by-products, and complete feeds, respectively, with median concentrations of 949 μg/kg, 2,825-74,040 μg/kg, and 1,050-1,396 μg/kg. Furthermore, corn samples collected from Henan, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces exhibited relatively higher FUM concentration compared to other regions. Notably, 0.1% corn, 41.8% DDGS, 11.1% corn germ meal, 15.8% sprayed corn husk, 80.0% corn steep liquor, and 5.3% complete pig feed exceeded China's safety standards for FUM. Moreover, the co-occurrence of FUM, AFB₁, DON, and ZEN was quite common in both corn (39.5%-92.1%) and DDGS (73.1%-100%), with more than 90.0% of analyzed feed samples contaminated with two or more mycotoxins. Among them, the rates of over China's safety standards for AFB₁, DON and ZEN in corn were 7.9%, 1.3% and 2.6%, respectively, while did not in DDGS.

Conclusion: This study reveals that the FUM was commonly present in feedstuffs and complete feeds of China in 2025. The results emphasize the significance of monitoring FUM levels in feeds and paying attention on co-contamination of mycotoxins, as well as implementing feed management and remedial strategies to reduce FUM exposure.