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Isolation and Screening from Soil Biodiversity for Fungi Involved in the Degradation of Recalcitrant Materials
Published on: May 16, 2022
Microbial detoxification of mycotoxins.
1Bacterial Foodborne Pathogens and Mycology Research Unit, USDA-ARS-NCAUR, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA. Susan.McCormick@ars.usda.gov
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|July 13, 2013
Summary
Microbes can break down harmful mycotoxins into less toxic substances using enzymatic processes. These mycotoxin-degrading microbes and their enzymes offer potential for feed additives and agricultural decontamination.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Mycotoxins are toxic fungal metabolites harmful to animals and humans.
- Several mycotoxins, including aflatoxin and ochratoxin, pose significant health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize microbes capable of degrading various mycotoxins.
- To explore the enzymatic mechanisms and applications of mycotoxin biotransformation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of mycotoxin-degrading fungi and bacteria from diverse environmental sources.
- Analysis of biotransformation reactions such as acetylation, hydrolysis, and decarboxylation.
- Expression of detoxification genes in plants for crop protection.
Main Results:
- Identification of microbial strains that enzymatically convert aflatoxin, zearalenone, ochratoxin, patulin, fumonisin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin.
- Demonstration of various biotransformation pathways including ring cleavage and deamination.
- Successful expression of detoxification genes in plants to reduce mycotoxin accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Microbial biotransformation offers a viable strategy for mycotoxin detoxification.
- Mycotoxin-degrading enzymes have potential applications as feed additives and for decontamination of agricultural products.
- Genetic engineering of crops can mitigate pre-harvest mycotoxin contamination and phytotoxicity.
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