Survey of fumonisin production by Fusarium species.

This research targets the production of mycotoxins, specifically fumonisins B1 and B2, by various species of Fusarium fungi. The findings suggest that the capability to produce fumonisins was predominantly limited to the species Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum.

Background

• Fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) are mycotoxins produced by the Fusarium species of fungi. These toxins have been found in corn cultures and are associated with cancer-promoting activities.
• These toxins, particularly FB1, have been linked to the onset of a neurotoxic disease in horses called leukoencephalomalacia, and possibly with human esophageal cancer.
• Due to the toxicological significance of these fumonisins, the authors decided to explore the capacity of different Fusarium species to produce these toxins.

Research Method

• The researchers conducted a study on 40 toxic Fusarium isolates representing 27 distinct taxa, spanning 9 sections of the 12 sections of Fusarium, as well as two unclassified species.
• They measured the ability of these species to produce FB1 and FB2, and confirmed the identity of these toxins through capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Findings

• The results showed that the capacity to generate fumonisins was primarily limited to two particular species in the Liseola section: Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum.
• One isolate of Fusarium nygamai was also found to produce fumonisins – contributing 605 micrograms of FB1 and 530 micrograms of FB2 per gram. This claim represents the first report of fumonisin production by Fusarium nygamai, an important contribution to the scientific knowledge.

Conclusion

• This research provided important insights into the capacity of different Fusarium species to produce fumonisin B1 and B2 toxins. This is vital given the possible health implication of these toxins.
• More specifically, the species Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium nygamai were shown to produce these mycotoxins.
• This discovery expands the understanding of the risk of mycotoxin contamination attributed to the Fusarium species, supporting the need for ongoing surveillance and control measures in food and feed production.