Effects of laboratory conditions on Zearalenone production by Fusarium fungi

Introduction: Zearalenone or F2 toxin mainly produced by Fusarium fungi species that could have estrogenic and carcinogenic effects on human and animal health. Cereals can extensively contaminated by Fusarium fungi and their toxins such as zearalenone.Methods: In this study F. graminearum, F. oxysporum and F. solani cultivated on rice culture (15 ml dilution water added to 30 g rice flour for each media) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) culture (30 g in 1000 ml) and incubated for 42 and 30 days respectively, in two temperature and three repetitions. The first set of rice cultures were incubated 15 days in 25 ºc followed by 8 ºc and the other set were incubated 30 days in 25 ºc.Results: The highest amount of zearalenone in the rice culture produced by F. graminearum (2927.53±1789.82 ppb). The highest amount of zearalenone in the SDB media was seen in 25 ºc- 30 days by F. oxysporum (50.71±6.97 ppb).Conclusion: The findings of this study showed impacts of in vitro conditions (culture, incubation period, and temperature) on zearalenone production by different fungi species.

Keywords:

Mycotoxin , Zearalenone , Fusarium , In Vitro