Fumonisin In Maize (corn)

The fumonisins (B₁, B₂, and B₃) are a group of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium moniliforme. Fumonisins have been found world-wide as a contaminant of maize (corn) and have been shown to cause liver cancer in experimental rats, pulmonary edema in pigs and leukoencephalomalacia in horses. High levels of fumonisins in locally grown maize have been found in areas of the world which have a high prevalence of human esophageal cancer, for instance, in South Africa and China.