Fumonisin composition in cultures of Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium nygami

Total fumonisin composition of 22 cultures of Fusaria was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. All cultures contained primarily FB1-3 and FA(1-2) With little or no variation in the relative percentage of each. In addition to the five principal fumonisins, seven other fumonisins were identified in all cultures; however their concentrations never exceeded 10% relative to FB1. Of the 22 cultures surveyed, 5 produced low levels (<2 mol %) of the P series of fumonisins and 5 cultures produced high levels of the P series. In cultures producing high levels of FP1, levels ranged from 20 to 35 mol % of the FB1 produced by the culture. High-level production of the P series of fumonisins in culture was found to require anaerobic conditions. In cultures grown aerobically, the level of FP1 never reached more than 2-4% of the FB1; however cultures grown anaerobically produced levels of 20-35% of FB1.