Fumonisins in brewers grain (barley) used as dairy cattle feed in the State of Bahia, Brazil

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by the genus Fusarium that may induce toxic effects in several animal species and may be found in several kinds of foods and feed. In the State of Bahia, Brazil, brewers grain, which are a brewery by-product, have been largely used in the feeding of animals, specially dairy cattle, due to their nutritional value and low cost of transportation. The aim of this study was to establish the presence of fumonisins in brewers grain used as dairy cattle feed in the State of Bahia. Twenty samples of brewers grain were collected every three months during a whole year, for a total of 80 samples, in five properties located in the “reconcavo baiano”. These samples were analyzed for the presence of fumonisins using high efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed contamination of 58 (72.5%) samples, with contamination mean level equal to 226.5 μg/kg, with 50.30 and 908.47 μg/kg as the minimum and maximum levels, respectively. This is the first report of the occurrence of this mycotoxin in the State of Bahia.