Nutrient Effects on the Biosynthesis of Trichothecenes and Other Metabolites by Fusarium graminearum

Abstract
The effects of C and N nutrients on the biosynthesis of toxic metabolities by 2 strains of E. graminearum were studied. The yields of deoxynivalenol, 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and several other secondary metabolites, varied according to C source supplied. The responses of the 2 strains were not the same with different C sources resulting in the highest yield of a given metabolite. Ratios of the various secondary metabolites also varied according to C source. N sources were tested in defined and semidefined media and the results indicated that amino acid N as well as some unknown growth factors(s) in yeast extract were required for optimum yield of deoxynivalenol and related compounds. The results illustrate the problem of defining species of Fusarium according to their toxic metabolites.