Production of the mycotoxin, zearalenone, by Fusarium graminearum growing on stored grain. II. Treatment of wheat grain with organic acids

✍ Scribed by Roger F. Sherwood; John F. Peberdy

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1974
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 252 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-5142
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.2740250905

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The concentrations of formic, acetic, propionic and butyric acids required to prevent growth of Fusarium in wheat grain cultures were determined. The cultures were maintained at 31% moisture content and stored for 4 weeks at 25 ºC followed by 6 weeks at 12 ºC, which were optimum conditions for growth of Fusarium and synthesis of the mycotoxin, zearalenone. Under these conditions the critical concentration of all the acids, whether used singly or in combination, was between 1000 and 10 000 parts/million (equivalent to 0.1% and 1% w/w). At 1000 parts/million and below the fungus was able to develop and zearalenone synthesis was not affected except where acetic acid was used alone, when higher toxin yields were recorded.