Fumonisin B1, zearalenone and deoxynivalenol production by Fusarium moniliforme, F proliferatum and F graminearum in mixed cultures on irradiated maize kernels

The impact on fungal growth and mycotoxin formation of interactions between fumonisin-producing isolates of Fusarium moniliforme and F proliferatum and a zearalenone (ZEA)- and deoxynivalenol (DON)-producing isolate of F graminearum inoculated together on irradiated maize at 15 and 25 °C and at 0.98, 0.95 and 0.93 aw was studied. The presence of F graminearum decreased the fungal populations (CFU g−1 grain) of F moniliforme and F proliferatum under almost all conditions tested. In the presence of F moniliforme, CFUs of F graminearum increased significantly at 25 °C, especially at 0.93 and 0.95 aw, while the presence of F proliferatum caused them to increase at 15 °C. The presence of F graminearum always inhibited FB1 production, except at 25 °C and 0.98 aw where it increased. However, the observed differences were not statistically significant. There was no effect of fungal interaction on ZEA production by F graminearum; however, when paired with F moniliforme and F proliferatum, DON production by F graminearum was significantly stimulated, especially at 0.98 aw. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry