New tools to detect mycotoxins that contaminate corn, barley, wheat and other commodities have been developed by an Agricultural Research Service scientist. ARS is USDA’s chief scientific research agency.

Fungi that grow on these crops produce the toxins. One of the more harmful ones is aflatoxin, produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin takes its greatest toll on U.S. corn production during drought and excessively high temperatures.

Law prohibits the sale of corn–or any grain–for human consumption if it contains more than 20 parts per billion of aflatoxin. For domestic non-milk-producing animals, the permissible level ranges from 100 to 300 ppb.

Inspectors need accurate and sensitive tests to detect such minute levels. That’s why ARS chemist Chris M. Maragos in Peoria, Ill., has developed several new tests that more accurately detect the toxin