title: Effect of zinc compounds on Fusarium verticillioides growth, hyphae alterations, conidia, and fumonisin production.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several strategies are used to eliminate toxigenic fungi that produce fumonisins in grains. Fusarium verticillioides can be controlled by the application of synthetic fungicides in the field or during storage. However, there may also be residuals, which may remain in the foods. Inorganic compounds such as zinc are cheap, stable and could present strong antifungal activity. Some Zn compounds can be utilized as dietary supplements and are authorized for the fortification of foods. Knowing the advantages and that low concentrations of Zn can have antimicrobial activity, our objective was to evaluate the effects of Zn compounds on the growth of F. verticillioides and the production of fumonisin and conidia. In addition, we aimed to verify that Zn compounds cause morphological alterations of the hyphae, mortality and production of reactive oxygen species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zn compounds efficiently reduced fungal growth and fumonisin production. Treatment using zinc perchlorate gave the best results. All treatments inhibited conidia production and caused morphological alterations of the hyphae. It was possible to observe cell death and production of reactive oxygen species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zn compounds have advantages compared to other antifungal compounds. In particular, they are non-toxic for the organism in appropriate amounts. They could be studied further as potential fungicides in agriculture.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mycotoxicology and Food Contaminants, Food Science and Technology Department, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, P.O. Box 476, 88034-001, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Geovana D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Savi
authors.forename: Vinícius
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vitorino
authors.forename: Adailton J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bortoluzzi
authors.forename: Vildes M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Scussel
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D037341:Fumonisins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D005670:Fusarium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D025301:Hyphae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D037341:Fumonisins; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017967:Zinc Compounds
keywords: Fusarium verticillioides; fumonisins; growth; zinc compounds