Mycotoxin field trial uncovers first Aflatoxin B1 occurrence in maize in Lower Austria

Climate change is driving the migration of crop pests and pathogens into new regions, posing significant threats to food security and safety. Aflatoxins, toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus, are of particular concern due to their carcinogenic properties. This study reports the first detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in maize grown in Tulln, Lower Austria, a region where such contamination has not been previously observed. The data were collected as part of the BOKU TTox-Monitor trial, a long-term monitoring trial to study the impact of climate change on the (co-)occurrence of mycotoxins. In 2024, 24 maize varieties were cultivated and analysed for fungal metabolites using liquid chromatog-raphy-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). AFB1 was detected in one plot at concentrations ranging from 4.47 to 29.49 µg/kg, and the presence of A. flavus was confirmed through mycological analysis. The unusually hot and dry condi-tions in 2024, coupled with severe corn borer infestation, likely created an optimal environment for A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production. While most samples were below regulatory limits for other mycotoxins, significant variability in contamination levels was observed across varieties. This finding supports predictions that aflatoxin contamination will become a growing concern in central Europe as climate change progresses, and underscores the need for long-term monitoring, research, and mitigation strategies to address this emerging food safety threat.