Isolation and molecular identification of Deoxynivalenol and Fumonisin producing genes from maize feed contaminated with Fusarium fungus in silos of dairy farms in Fars province-Iran

Mycotoxins are the toxins produced by various types of fungi, including Fusarium, which can produce different types of mycotoxins such as Deoxynivalenol (DON), Zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 toxin, and Fumonisins (FUM). Mycotoxins have the potential to reduce the quality of crops and pose health risks to both humans and animals. This can result in reduced animal production and substantial economic consequences on a global scale. Extensive research has been carried out to investigate the high incidence of contamination in grains by Fusarium fungi. In this study, 80 samples of maize from silos of dairy farms in Fars province, Iran were taken and examined for fungal contamination by Fusarium and potential production of DON and FUM. For this purpose, identification using specific primers for different genes was carried out by PCR test and gel electrophoresis with agarose (1%). Among different counties, the silos in Kharameh with 47.05% and Jahrom with 46.15% had the highest contamination rate, and the lowest contamination rate belonged to Kazeroon with 27.27%. Out of the 30 positive samples contaminated by Fusarium, 21 produced FUM, four produced DON, and five produced both toxins. Fusarium species that contaminated the maize samples were also identified, including 13, 10, and 7 samples contaminated by F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. graminearum, respectively. As a conclusion, the findings of the study indicate that 37.5% of the corn samples from dairy farm silos in Fars province were contaminated with the Fusarium fungus, which had the potential to produce the toxic mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol and fumonisins.