ARS | Publication request: The Use of Hplc-Ms to Characterize Toxin-Production from Fusaria Based on New Phylogenetic Concepts Within the Genus.

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Acceptance Date: July 31, 2004
Publication Date: August 4, 2004
Citation: Zitomer, N.C., Geiser, D.M., Ward, T.J., Jiminez-Gasco, M., Archibald, D.D., O Donnell, K., Kuldau, G.A. The Use Of Hplc-Ms To Characterize Toxin-Production From Fusaria Based On New Phylogenetic Concepts Within The Genus.. American Phytopathological Society Abstracts. 2004.

Technical Abstract: Trichothecenes are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and other genera of fungi. These toxins can contaminate many plant-based foods, especially grains. Type-A trichothecenes including T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, fusarenone X, and diacetoxyscirpenol are among the most potent mycotoxins produced by Fusaria, causing symptoms such as irritation and gastrointestinal distress. Fusarium taxonomy has been historically difficult due to problems with morphological identification. Molecular phylogenetics however has revealed greater species diversity within the genus than morphologically-based taxonomy. Utilizing the Fusarium collections of the Penn State Fusarium Research Center and the USDA ARS Culture Collection at Peoria, we are using multilocus phylogenetic approaches to define species boundaries within this group. This analysis has revealed a high level diversity among type-A producers motivating renewed interest in toxin profiles for representative species and newly identified species within this group. We have developed a HPLC-MS method that separates ten trichothecenes and are using the method to create trichothecene toxin profiles for isolates used in the phylogenetic analysis.