Effects and changes of zearalenone and fumonisin contamination in corn-based bioethanol process

Abstract

Bioethanol production is a growing industry nowadays. In this work dry-grind ethanol production was carried out from different corn samples (uncontaminated; zearalenone; fumonisin B1+B2 contaminated) and the changes of the ratio of the solid-liquid phase as well as toxin concentrations were examined in laboratory scale. The ethanol yields of mycotoxin-contaminated corn-mashes were 27% lower,due to 10% less produced glucose-concentrations from these raw materials,compared to uncontaminated ones. By the end of the whole process, the initial 20% solid content was reduced below 7% both in contaminated and uncontaminated corn-mashes. Differences were observed in the concentration changes of examined toxins. Zearalenone was localized in the solid phase, and its concentrations did not alter during the ethanol production process. Fumonisin concentration increased 3 times at the end of the process, and it dissolved in the liquid phase in significant amount.