The Implications of Naturally Occurring Levels of Fumonisins in Corn for Human and Animal Health

Overview

Journal Mycopathologia

Specialties Microbiology
Pharmacology

Date 1992 Feb 1

PMID 1513372

Citations 45

Authors

P G Thiel

W F Marasas

E W Sydenham

G S Shephard

W C Gelderblom

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Contamination of corn with the fungus Fusarium moniliforme and its secondary metabolites, the fumonisins, has been associated with several human and animal diseases. This paper summarizes present knowledge and presents new data on the levels of fumonisins present in foods and feeds associated with these diseases as well as in commercial corn and corn-based products. The doses of fumonisins to which humans and animals consuming these products would be exposed are compared with those doses known to produce LEM in horses and hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. It is concluded that the known naturally occurring levels of fumonisins present a potential threat to human and animal health and realistic tolerance levels need to be set.

Citing Articles

Research Progress Related to Aflatoxin Contamination and Prevention and Control of Soils.

Wang X, Wang D, Zhang S, Zhu M, Yang Q, Dong J Toxins (Basel). 2023; 15(8).

PMID: 37624232 PMC: 10467090. DOI: 10.3390/toxins15080475.

Influence of Agronomic Factors on Mycotoxin Contamination in Maize and Changes during a 10-Day Harvest-Till-Drying Simulation Period: A Different Perspective.

Borras-Vallverdu B, Ramos A, Cantero-Martinez C, Marin S, Sanchis V, Fernandez-Ortega J Toxins (Basel). 2022; 14(9).

PMID: 36136558 PMC: 9505770. DOI: 10.3390/toxins14090620.

Strong Alterations in the Sphingolipid Profile of Chickens Fed a Dose of Fumonisins Considered Safe.

Tardieu D, Matard-Mann M, Collen P, Guerre P Toxins (Basel). 2021; 13(11).

PMID: 34822554 PMC: 8619408. DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110770.

Natural Products from Medicinal Plants against Phytopathogenic Species: Current Research Endeavours, Challenges and Prospects.

Seepe H, Nxumalo W, Amoo S Molecules. 2021; 26(21).

PMID: 34770948 PMC: 8587185. DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216539.

Current Perspectives of Biocontrol Agents for Management of and Its Fumonisin in Cereals-A Review.

N D, Achar P, Sreenivasa M J Fungi (Basel). 2021; 7(9).

PMID: 34575814 PMC: 8465378. DOI: 10.3390/jof7090776.

References

Wilson B, Maronpot R . Causative fungus agent of leucoencephalomalacia in equine animals. Vet Rec. 1971; 88(19):484-6. DOI: 10.1136/vr.88.19.484. View

Wilson T, Ross P, Rice L, Osweiler G, NELSON H, Owens D . Fumonisin B1 levels associated with an epizootic of equine leukoencephalomalacia. J Vet Diagn Invest. 1990; 2(3):213-6. DOI: 10.1177/104063879000200311. View

Alberts J, Gelderblom W, Thiel P, Marasas W, van Schalkwyk D, Behrend Y . Effects of temperature and incubation period on production of fumonisin B1 by Fusarium moniliforme. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1990; 56(6):1729-33. PMC: 184501. DOI: 10.1128/aem.56.6.1729-1733.1990. View

Marasas W, Kellerman T, Pienaar J, Naude T . Leukoencephalomalacia: a mycotoxicosis of Equidae caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1976; 43(3):113-22. View

Kellerman T, Marasas W, Thiel P, Gelderblom W, Cawood M, Coetzer J . Leukoencephalomalacia in two horses induced by oral dosing of fumonisin B1. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1990; 57(4):269-75. View

Gelderblom W, Kriek N, Marasas W, Thiel P . Toxicity and carcinogenicity of the Fusarium moniliforme metabolite, fumonisin B1, in rats. Carcinogenesis. 1991; 12(7):1247-51. DOI: 10.1093/carcin/12.7.1247. View

Gelderblom W, Marasas W, Jaskiewicz K, Combrinck S, van Schalkwyk D . Cancer promoting potential of different strains of Fusarium moniliforme in a short-term cancer initiation/promotion assay. Carcinogenesis. 1988; 9(8):1405-9. DOI: 10.1093/carcin/9.8.1405. View

Jaskiewicz K, van Rensburg S, Marasas W, Gelderblom W . Carcinogenicity of Fusarium moniliforme culture material in rats. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1987; 78(2):321-5. View

Kriek N, Marasas W, Thiel P . Hepato- and cardiotoxicity of Fusarium verticillioides (F. moniliforme) isolates from Southern African maize. Food Cosmet Toxicol. 1981; 19(4):447-56. DOI: 10.1016/0015-6264(81)90449-1. View

10.

Marasas W, Kellerman T, Gelderblom W, Coetzer J, Thiel P, Van Der Lugt J . Leukoencephalomalacia in a horse induced by fumonisin B1 isolated from Fusarium moniliforme. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1988; 55(4):197-203. View

11.

Kriek N, Kellerman T, Marasas W . A comparative study of the toxicity of Fusarium verticillioides (= F. moniliforme) to horses, primates, pigs, sheep and rats. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1981; 48(2):129-31. View

12.

Marasas W, Jaskiewicz K, Venter F, van Schalkwyk D . Fusarium moniliforme contamination of maize in oesophageal cancer areas in Transkei. S Afr Med J. 1988; 74(3):110-4. View

13.

Yang C . Research on esophageal cancer in China: a review. Cancer Res. 1980; 40(8 Pt 1):2633-44. View

14.

Gelderblom W, Marasas W, Vleggaar R, Thiel P, Cawood M . Fumonisins: isolation, chemical characterization and biological effects. Mycopathologia. 1992; 117(1-2):11-6. DOI: 10.1007/BF00497273. View

15.

Marasas W, Kriek N, Fincham J, van Rensburg S . Primary liver cancer and oesophageal basal cell hyperplasia in rats caused by Fusarium moniliforme. Int J Cancer. 1984; 34(3):383-7. DOI: 10.1002/ijc.2910340315. View

16.

Gelderblom W, Jaskiewicz K, Marasas W, Thiel P, Horak R, Vleggaar R . Fumonisins--novel mycotoxins with cancer-promoting activity produced by Fusarium moniliforme. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1988; 54(7):1806-11. PMC: 202749. DOI: 10.1128/aem.54.7.1806-1811.1988. View

17.

Harrison L, Colvin B, Greene J, Newman L, Cole Jr J . Pulmonary edema and hydrothorax in swine produced by fumonisin B1, a toxic metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme. J Vet Diagn Invest. 1990; 2(3):217-21. DOI: 10.1177/104063879000200312. View