Dynamics of Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol Glucosylation in Wheat Cultivars Infected with Fusarium culmorum in Field Conditions─A 3 Year Study (2018–2020)

Abstract

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by pathogenic species of Fusarium fungi is one of the most important diseases of cereal plants and a factor contributing to losses in plant production. The growth of FHB-associated species is often accompanied by biosynthesis of secondary metabolitesmycotoxins, which serve as a virulence factor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ratios between deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) and their derivatives in the ears of six cultivars of winter wheat with varying resistance to FHB, taking into account a range of factors (weather conditions, location, cultivar, and year) after inoculation with Fusarium culmorum, during a 3 year field experiment, 2018−2020. The presence of toxins in the ears was measured within 21 days of inoculation. The toxins were found in the ears as soon as on the third day from the start of the experiment, whereas relative humidity higher than 80% was a decisive factor for FHB incidence. All wheat cultivars showed the ability to biotransform DON and NIV present in the ears to glucosides, that is, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3G) and nivalenol-3-glucoside (NIV-3G). The levels of these metabolites showed significant correlation with the levels of their basic analogues. In most cases, higher levels of DON and NIV in wheat ears and higher levels of their metabolites were observed, but the relative levels of DON-3G/DON and NIV-3G/NIV at relatively high levels of toxins were lower compared to the ear samples with relatively low toxin levels. The presented results are the first studies, which systematically correlate a variety of wheat cultivars with their extent to glucosylate trichothecenes.

Trichoderma versus Fusarium—Inhibition of Pathogen Growth and Mycotoxin Biosynthesis

“…Infection of cereal plants by Fusarium is often associated with the biosynthesis of mycotoxins. The most common mycotoxins include trichothecenes (e.g., deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), and zearalenone (ZEN)) [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. DON and NIV exhibit immunotoxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effects, and NIV additionally exhibits hepatotoxic effects [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Natural Trichothecene Mycotoxins from a Rotten Moldy Apple Core-Derived Trichothecium roseum: Occurrence, Identification, and Potential Transfer to Commercial Apple Juice

“…Trichothecene mycotoxins are well-known for their toxicity and have a broad presence in food and feed, which are closely relevant to human and animal health. , Trichothecenes also exhibit certain phytotoxic effects . Special attention has been given to well-known trichothecene mycotoxins such as DON and T-2 toxin in staple foodstuffs like wheat and corn. − Nonfamous trichothecene mycotoxins like compounds 2–7 were detectable in 10 kinds of commercial apple juices, with the detection rates ranging between 13.3 and 80.00%. There is also a possibility of a co-occurring mycotoxin issue in apple juice, which may cause increased toxicity in humans.…”

Co-occurrence of T-2 and HT-2 Mycotoxins and α and β Anomers of Their Glucosides in Wheat and Oat Grains

“…Correlations between the content of the glucosidic forms of HT-2 and T-2 toxins and their parent forms have not yet been reported in the literature. However, it should be mentioned that they have been described for deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, and nivalenol and nivalenol-3-glucoside in cereals such as wheat, oats, and triticale. , …”

“…However, it should be mentioned that they have been described for deoxynivalenol and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, and nivalenol and nivalenol-3glucoside in cereals such as wheat, oats, and triticale. 39,40 Of the glucoside anomers of the T-2/HT-2 toxins in the oat and wheat samples tested, the following were identified: T-2− 3-α-Glc, HT-2−3-α-Glc, and HT-2−3-β-Glc. However, not even traces of T-2−3-β-Glc were identified in any sample.…”