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A survey of mycotoxin contamination in feed commodities in China was performed and the regional differences of mycotoxin contamination in new season corn was assessed during January 2020–November 2020 in this research. 1,610 samples were analyzed for the major mycotoxins, namely aflatoxins, zearalenone (ZEN), trichothecenes type B, fumonisins (FUM), fusariotoxin T-2 (T-2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) using methods of liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Generally, aflatoxins occurred in 16% of all samples, and ZEN, trichothecenes type B and FUM were more prevalent with positive rates of 47, 72, and 63%, respectively. T2 and OTA were rarely detected. In new season corn, samples were also seriously contaminated with ZEN, trichothecenes type B, and FUM at positive rates of 47, 76, and 79%, respectively, and their averages of positives were 112, 735, and 3,811 μg/kg, respectively. The patterns of mycotoxin occurrence showed distinct regional trends in new season corn samples. Samples from Shandong province were highly contaminated with FUM, while special attention should be paid to aflatoxins in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces of East China. The contents of trichothecenes type B and ZEN from northern to southern provinces showed downward trends. In new season corm, co-occurrence of mycotoxins was widespread, and combinations of ZEN, trichothecenes type B, and FUM were frequently observed in this study. Trichothecenes type B and ZEN concentrations showed a positive correlation coefficient of 0.294, suggesting that toxicological interactions of these toxins deserve attention.

In this research, we performed a large-scale survey of mycotoxin contamination in several feed commodities and assessed regional differences in mycotoxin occurrence in maize across China in 2021. Concentrations of aflatoxins, zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins, and trichothecenes type B were analyzed in 2,643 raw material and compound feed samples collected from eight provinces. Generally, trichothecenes type B, fumonisins, and ZEN were most prevalent and detected in averages of positive concentrations at 1,167, 1,623, and 204 μg/kg, respectively. In the new season maize, samples were also seriously infested with trichothecenes type B, fumonisins, and ZEN, and their averages of positive concentrations were 1,302, 2,518, and 225 μg/kg, respectively. Wheat was commonly contaminated with trichothecenes type B and ZEN, and the highest concentration levels of trichothecenes type B, fumonisins, and ZEN were all detected in the samples from maize by-products. Among the different geographical regions, distinct trends were observed in new season maize. Samples from Shandong province were highly contaminated with trichothecenes type B, fumonisins, and ZEN, while special attention should be paid to aflatoxins and fumonisins in Anhui and Jiangsu provinces in East China. In addition, the present survey showed that compound feeds and raw materials are commonly contaminated by multiple mycotoxins. Trichothecenes type B and ZEN concentrations were correlated significantly in this survey.