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Toxin Production by Stachybotrys chartarum Genotype S on Different Culture Media
Sebastian Ulrich1, Cornelius Schäfer2
1Chair of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539 Munich, Germany.
Abstract:
Stachybotrys (S.) chartarum had been linked to severe health problems in humans and animals, which occur after exposure to the toxic secondary metabolites of this mold. S. chartarum had been isolated from different environmental sources, ranging from culinary herbs and improperly stored fodder to damp building materials. To access the pathogenic potential of isolates, it is essential to analyze them under defined conditions that allow for the production of their toxic metabolites. All Stachybotrys species are assumed to produce the immunosuppressive phenylspirodrimanes, but the highly cytotoxic macrocyclic trichothecenes are exclusively generated by the genotype S of S. chartarum. In this study, we have analyzed four genotype S strains initially isolated from three different habitats. We grew them on five commonly used media (malt-extract-agar, glucose-yeast-peptone-agar, potato-dextrose-agar, cellulose-agar, Sabouraud-dextrose-agar) to identify conditions that promote mycotoxin production. Using LC-MS/MS, we have quantified stachybotrylactam and all S-type specific macrocyclic trichothecenes (satratoxin G, H, F, roridin E, L-2, verrucarin J). All five media supported a comparable fungal growth and sporulation at 25 °C in the dark. The highest concentrations of macrocyclic trichothecenes were detected on potato-dextrose-agar or cellulose-agar. Malt-extract-agar let to an intermediate and glucose-yeast-peptone-agar and Sabouraud-dextrose-agar to a poor mycotoxin production. These data demonstrate that the mycotoxin production clearly depends on the composition of the respective medium. Our findings provide a starting point for further studies in order to identify individual components that either support or repress the production of mycotoxins in S. chartarum.
Insights
Stachybotrys chartarum produces toxic mycotoxins. Potato-dextrose-agar and cellulose-agar media promote the highest production of these toxins, crucial for understanding mold health risks.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum) is a mold linked to severe health issues in humans and animals due to its toxic metabolites.
- While all Stachybotrys species produce phenylspirodrimanes, only genotype S of S. chartarum generates highly cytotoxic macrocyclic trichothecenes.
- Understanding the conditions that promote mycotoxin production is essential for assessing the pathogenic potential of S. chartarum isolates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the mycotoxin production of four genotype S strains of S. chartarum.
- To identify specific growth media that promote the production of toxic secondary metabolites, including macrocyclic trichothecenes.
- To determine the influence of different culture media on the yield of stachybotrylactam and S-type specific macrocyclic trichothecenes.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of four genotype S S. chartarum strains on five different media: malt-extract-agar, glucose-yeast-peptone-agar, potato-dextrose-agar, cellulose-agar, and Sabouraud-dextrose-agar.
- Incubation at 25 °C in the dark to ensure comparable fungal growth and sporulation.
- Quantification of stachybotrylactam and S-type specific macrocyclic trichothecenes (satratoxin G, H, F, roridin E, L-2, verrucarin J) using LC-MS/MS.
Main Results:
- All tested media supported comparable fungal growth and sporulation.
- Potato-dextrose-agar and cellulose-agar yielded the highest concentrations of macrocyclic trichothecenes.
- Malt-extract-agar resulted in intermediate mycotoxin production, while glucose-yeast-peptone-agar and Sabouraud-dextrose-agar showed poor production.
Conclusions:
- The composition of the culture medium significantly influences the mycotoxin production of S. chartarum genotype S.
- Potato-dextrose-agar and cellulose-agar are optimal for maximizing the production of cytotoxic macrocyclic trichothecenes in S. chartarum.
- These findings provide a basis for further research into specific components that regulate mycotoxin biosynthesis in S. chartarum.
