Dynamic of free and hidden fumonisins in maize during the growing season and related lipidomic

Recent studies showed fumonisin contaminations of maize mainly influenced by the different hybrids and the year of cultivation. A correlation between fumonisins and fatty acids content (in particular linoleic acid) and a correlation between the ratios oleic acid/linoleic acid and free/hidden fumonisins have been shown. A study has been planned to sample different maize hybrids cultivated in Italy to monitor toxigenic fungi, free and hidden mycotoxins and lipids composition of maize in order to confirm/explain previous data. Ten ears of different maize hybrids were collected starting from the early dough to harvest. Kernels obtained were used to quantify fungal incidence (focus on Fusarium spp.) and fumonisin content and for lipidomic analysis. Results obtained show that the presence of Fusarium species is directly correlated to an higher presence of both free and hidden fumonisins; however, differences exist along the growing season regarding both fungal incidence and fumonisin between hybrids. The lipidomic approach supported by the Principal Coordinate Analysis clearly indicates that the maize hybrids can be sorted into high- (HFC) and low-fumonisin conductive (LFC) by specific lipid compounds. Notably, 5 lipid compounds can sort HFC apart from LFC in all the phenological stage of maize kernel development. Moreover, at ripening up to 44 lipid compounds can differentiate HFC from LFC. Further studies, aimed to characterize these distinctive lipid compounds are ongoing.