Toxin-producing potential of someFusariumspecies from a New Zealand pasture

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Abstract
The isolation and taxonomic characterisation of 25 isolates of Fusarium species from a New Zealand farm pasture are described. The ability of these isolates to produce mycotoxins both in liquid culture (MYRO and GYEP) and on rice grain culture was assessed. Toxin production was assessed by a combination of chemical analytical methods and by HeLa cell toxicity tests. The toxins produced included zearalenone (by three isolates), zearalenols (one isolate), butenolide (12 isolates), and various trichothecenes (five isolates). An isolate of F. culmorum (DAOM 193612) produced β-zearalenol (from rice culture) as the major toxin, whereas trichothecene production was greatest in MYRO culture by one isolate of F. crookwellense (DAOM 193611). The major trichothecenes produced by this species were 4, 15-diacetoxynivalenol followed by 8-hydroxy and 7-hydroxyisotrichodermin. Several previously unreported compounds were also isolated. Known trichothecenes produced by other species were deoxynivalenol, 15-acetoxydeoxynivalenol, and 4, 15-diacetoxyscirpenol. The possible impact of these toxins on the well-being of pasture-grazing animals is discussed.