Two-dimensional environmental profiles of growth, deoxynivalenol and nivalenol production by Fusarium culmorum on a wheat-based substrate.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of interacting conditions of water activity (aw, 0.99-0.85), temperature (15, 25 degrees C) and time (40 days) on growth and production of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) by Fusarium culmorum on a wheat-based agar medium.


RESULTS
Fusarium culmorum grew optimally at 0.995aw and minimally at 0.90 at both 15 and 25 degrees C. No growth was observed at <0.90aw. Overall, temperature, aw and their interaction had a statistically significant effect on the growth rate of F. culmorum. Production of both DON and NIV were over a much narrower range (0.995-0.95aw) than that for growth. The highest concentrations of DON and NIV levels were produced at 0.995aw and 0.981aw at 25 degrees C, respectively, after 40 days of incubation. Statistically, aw, temperature and incubation time, and aw x temperature and temperature x incubation time had a statistically significant effect on DON/NIV production.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first detailed report on the two-dimensional environmental profiles for DON/NIV production by F. culmorum in the UK.


CONCLUSIONS
As part of a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) approach, this type of information is critical in monitoring critical control points for prevention of DON/NIV entering the wheat production chain.
Hope
R
R
Applied Mycology Group, Biotechnology Centre, Cranfield University Silsoe, Bedford, UK.
Magan
N
N
D003470:Culture Media; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006813:Humidity; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014908:Triticum / Q000378:metabolism*
D003470:Culture Media; D009183:Mycotoxins; D014255:Trichothecenes; C038405:nivalenol; C007262:deoxynivalenol