Campionamento delle Fumonisine durante la raccolta del mais

Food contamination from mycotoxins is an emerging problem in the European Community. Fumonisine, a toxin produced by several funguses (Fusarium spp.), is often found in cereals, and particularly in maize, and has been related to severe diseases in humans and animals. The problem has been acknowledged by UE authorities who have set legal limits for Fumonisine contamination of agricultural products. The objective of this study was to develop a sampling system for assessing the presence of Fusarium spores during combine harvesting of cereals. The collected data of the Fusarium spore presence with other variables (dry seed, irrigation, weather variables etc.) could be useful to provide a prediction model able to asses the contamination degree by Fumonisine. This would enable the farmer to separate contaminated products before storage. The system developed is easy to install on any combine, and the operations required to collect the samples are quick and easy.