Effects of Time, Temperature, and pH on the Stability of Fumonisin B₁ in an Aqueous Model System

Abstract

Fumonisins, mycotoxins produced by Fusarium moniliforme in corn, have been implicated in several animal and human diseases. The effects of processing time and temperature on fumonisin B1 (FB1) stability (5 ppm) in aqueous solutions at pH 4, 7, and 10 were determined. Analysis of the thermally processed solutions by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry indicated the predominant presence of hydrolysis products of FB1. The rate and extent of FB1 decomposition increased with processing temperature. After processing at ≤125 °C for 60 min, <27% of FB1 was lost; after 60 min at 150 °C, 18−90% was lost, depending on buffer pH. Overall, FB1 was least stable at pH 4 followed by pH 10 and 7, respectively. At ≥175 °C, >90% of FB1 was lost after processing for 60 min, regardless of pH. FB1 levels may be substantially reduced in foods that reach ≥150 °C during processing. Keywords: Fumonisin B1; thermal processing; decomposition