The Fusarium graminearum species complex (FGSC) can produce various mycotoxins and is a major concern for food
quantity and quality worldwide. In this study, we determined the effects of water activity (
aw), temperature, incubation time
and their interactions on mycotoxin accumulation and the expression levels of biosynthetic genes in FGSC strains from
maize samples in China. The highest deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol(3ADON) and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol
(15ADON) levels of the F. boothii and F. graminearum strains were observed at 0.98 aw/
30 °C or 0.99 aw/
25 °C. F. asiaticum
and F. meridionale reached maximum nivalenol (NIV) and 4-acetylnivalenol (4ANIV) contents at 0.99 aw
and 30 °C. With
the extension of the incubation time, the concentrations of DON and NIV gradually increased, while those of their derivatives
decreased. F. boothii, F. meridionale and one F. asiaticum strain had the highest zearalenone (ZEN) values at 0.95 aw
and 25 °C, while the optimum conditions for the other F. asiaticum strain and F. graminearum were 0.99 aw
and 30 °C. Four
genes associated with trichothecene and zearalenone synthesis were significantly induced under higher water stress in the
early stage of production. The results indicated independence of mycotoxin production and gene expression, as maximum
amounts of these toxic metabolites were observed at higher aw
in most cases. This study provides useful information for the
monitoring and prevention of such toxins entering the maize production chain.
Citations
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