Production of the mycotoxin, zearalenone, by Fusarium graminearum growing on stored grain. I. Grain storage at reduced temperatures

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The limiting conditions of grain moisture content (m.c.) and storage temperature for growth of Fusarium and production of the mycotoxin, zearalenone, were defined in maize, wheat, barley and oat culture. Grain moisture content was the major influence on establishment of the fungus, but storage temperature directly affected the rate of zearalenone synthesis. All the grains tested were susceptible to invasion by Fusarium above 18% m.c. (calculated on a wet‐weight basis), even when stored at 7 ºC. In the range 15 to 18% m.c. the grain was increasingly at risk as the storage temperature was raised. Maximum zearalenone yields (500 to 2000 μg/g grain) were obtained in cultures stored at 12 and 18 ºC, even though mycelial growth had been reduced. At 25 ºC, where there was rapid mycelial growth and almost total utilisation of grain after two months' storage, toxin yields were seldom higher than 100 μg/g grain.