Toxigenic Fungi from Cotton

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Abstract
Forty-seven cultures of fungi (representing 14 genera and 25 spp.) isolated from cotton by investigators in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi [USA] were bioassayed for toxicity to brine shrimp, chick embryos and rats. Eleven isolates (7 spp.) were highly toxic to brine shrimp. Twenty-three isolates (16 spp.) were highly toxic and 5 (3 spp.) were moderately toxic to chick embryos. Thirty-three isolates (21 spp.) were bioassayed for toxicity to rats. Extracts of Fusarium oxysporum and 2 spp. of Alternaria caused mortality in some rats, and extracts from 7 other fungal isolates caused reduced weight gain by at least 10%. Gross pathological changes observed in treated rats included hemorrhages, kidney abnormalities and shedding of hair. This research has shown the potential of these fungi to produce toxic substances, but whether they occur in naturally in cottonseed remains to be determined. [The presence of mycotoxins in cottonseed meal would preclude its use for human food.].

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