Biosynthesis of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Fusarium culmorum Cultures

Abstract
A high yielding production of the trichothecene mycotoxin 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON) in cultures of F. culmorum is described. By supplying [14C]acetate, 14C-labeled 3-AcDON suitable for further metabolic studies was obtained. The pattern of labeling was ascertained by using 13C-labeled acetate precursors and is in line with established biosynthetic data. A second trichothecene produced in significant amounts by F. culmorum was identified as 3.alpha.,15-diacetoxy-7.alpha.,8.alpha.-dihydroxyl-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-ene (7.alpha.,8.alpha.-dihydroxycalonectrin).