[Detection of toxigenic Fusarium strains, producing T-2 toxin, in wheat grain mycoflora by microbiologic assay]
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Abstract:
Twenty-three Fusarium strains were isolated from wheat grain harvested in the Moscow region. The ability of the fungi cultures isolated for producing T-2 toxin was studied by the microbiological assay with the use of Saccharomyces lactis culture (BKMU-459) susceptible to T-2 toxin. The toxigenic properties were shown by 9 cultures. Six strains with unestablished species appurtenance grown on A. Capek's agar in Perti dishes were found to produce T-2 toxin in an amount of 2 to 50 micrograms/ml agar. Three strains grown on sterilized wheat grain and attributed to Fusarium sporotrichiella v. poae according to the morphological characteristics were discovered to produce T-2 toxin in an amount from 50-100 to 400-600 micrograms/g. Production of T-2 toxin by the strains isolated was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. Experiments made on young rats have demonstrated that extracts from F. sporotrichiella v. poae strains producing T-2 toxin appeared highly toxic for the animals.
Insights
Nine Fusarium strains isolated from Moscow wheat produced T-2 toxin. Some strains, identified as Fusarium sporotrichiella v. poae, yielded high toxin levels, proving toxic to rats.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Fusarium species are common contaminants of cereal grains.
- T-2 toxin is a dangerous mycotoxin produced by certain Fusarium strains.
- Monitoring T-2 toxin contamination in wheat is crucial for food safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify Fusarium strains from wheat grain.
- To assess the T-2 toxin producing potential of these isolates.
- To confirm the toxicity of the produced T-2 toxin.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of Fusarium strains from wheat grain.
- Microbiological assay using Saccharomyces lactis for T-2 toxin detection.
- Thin-layer chromatography for toxin confirmation.
- Toxicity testing on young rats.
Main Results:
- Twenty-three Fusarium strains were isolated; nine exhibited toxigenic properties.
- Six strains produced T-2 toxin at 2-50 µg/ml on agar.
- Three strains identified as Fusarium sporotrichiella v. poae produced T-2 toxin at 50-100 to 400-600 µg/g on wheat grain.
- T-2 toxin production was confirmed by chromatography.
- Extracts from F. sporotrichiella v. poae were highly toxic to rats.
Conclusions:
- Certain Fusarium strains, particularly Fusarium sporotrichiella v. poae, isolated from Moscow wheat can produce significant amounts of T-2 toxin.
- The identified strains pose a potential risk of T-2 toxin contamination in wheat.
- Further research on controlling these toxigenic fungi in agricultural settings is warranted.