Influence of Kernel Age on Fumonisin B ₁ Production in Maize by Fusarium moniliforme

Abstract

Production of fumonisins by Fusarium moniliforme on naturally infected maize ears is an important food safety concern due to the toxic nature of this class of mycotoxins. Assessing the potential risk of fumonisin production in developing maize ears prior to harvest requires an understanding of the regulation of toxin biosynthesis during kernel maturation. We investigated the developmental-stage-dependent relationship between maize kernels and fumonisin B1 production by using kernels collected at the blister (R2), milk (R3), dough (R4), and dent (R5) stages following inoculation in culture at their respective field moisture contents with F. moniliforme. Highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) in fumonisin B1production were found among kernels at the different developmental stages. The highest levels of fumonisin B1 were produced on the dent stage kernels, and the lowest levels were produced on the blister stage kernels. The differences in fumonisin B1production among kernels at the different developmental stages remained significant (P ≤ 0.001) when the moisture contents of the kernels were adjusted to the same level prior to inoculation. We concluded that toxin production is affected by substrate composition as well as by moisture content. Our study also demonstrated that fumonisin B1 biosynthesis on maize kernels is influenced by factors which vary with the developmental age of the tissue. The risk of fumonisin contamination may begin early in maize ear development and increases as the kernels reach physiological maturity.

Changes in the Phenolic Acid Content and Antioxidant Activity During Kernel Development of Corn (Zea mays L.) and Relationship with Mycotoxin Contamination

“…Kernel age could influence mycotoxin production in corn. FBs were mainly produced at dent stage in kernels characterized by a moisture level of 40%, whereas lower contamination was observed in kernels collected at the blister and milk stages (Warfield and Gilchrist 1999). Conversely, the onset of fungal infection and DON contamination was observed already at the blister and milk stages (Atanasova‐Penichon et al 2012).…”

Changes in the concentrations of fumonisin, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in corn silage during ensilage

“…Warfield and Gilchrist () reported that the levels of mycotoxin in corn in the field increase as the corn grows. Teller et al .…”

“…According to these results, it is thought that the possibility of mycotoxin being produced during ensiling is low. On the other hand, mycotoxins in corn are known to increase during growing in the field (Warfield & Gilchrist ; Uegaki et al . ).…”

“…It is important to clarify the time course of mycotoxin increases in corn. Mycotoxins in corn are known to increase during growing in the fields (Warfield & Gilchrist ). In particular, FUM is known to markedly increase just after the yellow‐ripe stage in the fields (Uegaki et al .…”

Involvement of ZFR1 of Fusarium verticillioides in kernel colonization and the regulation of FST1, a putative sugar transporter gene required for fumonisin biosynthesis on maize kernels

“…One such component is starch, which changes dramatically in the kernel as it approaches maturity (Ingle et al ., 1965). Immature kernels lacking starch do not support FB 1 biosynthesis or expression of fumonisin biosynthetic ( FUM ) genes, but as kernels approach maturity and accumulate starch, they support high levels of FB 1 production (Bluhm and Woloshuk, 2005; Warfield and Gilchrist, 1999). Growth of F. verticillioides is comparable throughout each stage of kernel development (Bluhm and Woloshuk, 2005), indicating that immature kernels either repress FB 1 biosynthesis or lack the ability to induce FUM gene expression.…”