October 12, 2007

Ethanol production process can concentrate mycotoxins in DDGS

Mycotoxins can be concentrated in DDGS during ethanol production, according to Scott Averhoff, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Mycotoxin Task Force.

This means that even when corn that is safe to be used as feed is used to make ethanol, the resultant DDGS can be dangerous, Averhoff said.

As production and demand for DDGS grows, Averhoff added, corn growers need a better understanding of mycotoxins as well as local resources for information.

The NCGS has thus devoted a new section of its website to the topic of mycotoxin management in corn.

The new mycotoxin section provides information on recommended management practices, FDA guidelines for acceptable mycotoxin levels for feed, and links to more information on mycotoxin research.

Part of the increased attention to mycotoxins has resulted from the increased popularity of distillers dried grains with solubles, noted Averhoff.

The NCGS hopes to spread knowledge about the danger mycotoxins can pose, and the advances in dealing with it, he said.

The two primary mycotoxins affecting corn are aflatoxin and fumonisin.