Author
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Plattner, Ronald |
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Submitted to: Panamerican Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 9/12/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The fungus Fusarium moniliforme and several closely related species are found on agricultural commodities world-wide, especially maize. These species of fungi are sometimes associated with stalk and ear rot in maize, however, they can frequently be isolated from completely asymptomatic grain and have been called an endophyte by some. High levels (50-300 ug/kg) of fumonisins that can occur in naturally contaminated maize, especially maize screenings, can cause significant animal toxicoses, especially equine leukoencephalomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema. Detectable levels of fumonisin B1 (0.05-1 ug/kg) can generally be found in commercial maize. This presentation will review methods of analysis for fumonisins, their chemistry, and toxicity with emphasis on concerns about the presence and distribution of fumonisins in animal and human food supply. Fumonisin contamination of foods and feed has been shown to occur primarily in the field, rather than as a result of poor storage conditions. Therefore research conducted in our laboratory which has been directed toward understanding the biosynthesis of fumonisins and their role in plant fungal interactions. The knowledge developed from these studies will be used to develop workable strategies to minimize or eliminate fumonisin contamination of maize. |
