Biosynthesis of trichothecene mycotoxins in Fusarium culmorum cultures

A high yielding production of the trichothecene mycotoxin 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON) in cultures of Fusarium culmorum is described. By supplying [14C]acetate, 14C-labelled 3-AcDON suitable for further metabolic studies has been obtained. The pattern of labelling has been ascertained by using 13C-labelled acetate precursors, and is in line with established biosynthetic data. A second trichothecene produced in significant amounts by F. culmorum has been identified as 3 alpha, 15-diacetoxy-7 alpha, 8 alpha-dihydroxy-12, 13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene (7 alpha, 8 alpha-dihydroxycalonectrin).