Associations Between Mineral Composition and Aflatoxin B1 in Maize (Zea mays L.) Seeds: Toward Contamination Indicators and Food Safety

Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally important cereal crop, is often threatened by aflatoxin contamination, compromising seed quality, nutritional value, and food safety. This study investigated the distribution of macro- and microelements in inner and outer seed fractions of maize with varying aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels to identify potential elemental markers of contamination. Macro- and microelements were quantified using ICP-OES and ICP-QMS, and principal component and correlation analyses were...