June 11, 2004

Video Quicktime Movie (3.5 Mb) Real Player (1.4 Mb) Video Script

Weslaco -- Researchers at the Texas Cooperative Extension Weslaco Center have been working on the elimination of a toxin developed in corn. This toxin has hurt the corn production in the south Texas for several years. Norma Moreno has more details.

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Aflatoxin has been a problem to south Texas corn producers for several years. The crops affected by the toxin can't be consumed by humans. This reduces the profits and limits the crop's distribution.

SOUND BITE- Scott Averhoff//Director- Texas Corn Producers Board

"CORN THAT HAS INFECTIONS HIGHER THAN 20 PARTS PER BILLION UP TO 300 HUNDRED PARTS PER BILLION ARE ALLOWED TO BE FED TO FEED-LOT CATTLE AND AFLATOXIN IS NOT TRANFERED INTO THE BEEF. SO THE BEEF FROM CATTLE THAT ARE FED CORN THAT HAS AFLATOXIN IT IS SAFE FOR HUMAN FOOD CONSUMPTION."

According to the director of the Texas Corn Producers Board, clay is a promising solution for the use of contaminated crops.

SOUND BITE

"CLAYS ARE VERY INTERESTING PARTICLES. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO BIND UP THINGS SUCH AS AFLATOXIN AND WHEN MIXED IN FEED RATIONS THEY WOULD ACTUALLY BIND THE TOXINS UP IN THE RUMEN OF THE ANIMAL, THE STOMACH OF THE ANIMAL, AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE TOXIN TO AFFECT THE ANIMAL IN ANY HARMFUL WAY."

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Another research project the Texas Corn Producers Board has been keeping a close watch on is molecular strain elimination.

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"ONE OF OUR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS, HE THINKS THERE IS A WAY TO KNOCK OUT SOME GENES IN CORN THAT WOULD PREVENT THE FUNGUS IN PRODUCING THE TOXIN."

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The molecular strain elimination research has been funded by the board for about two years.

Averhoff said they continue to promote the conventional corn breeding program, which develops aflatoxin-resistant corn varieties and produces a higher quality product.

From Weslaco, Texas.. I'm Norma Moreno.