Production of fumonisins B^sub 2^ and B^sub 4^ in Tolypocladium species

• Published in: Journal of industrial microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 38; no. 9; p. 1329
• Main Authors: Mogensen, Jesper Mølgaard, Møller, Kirsten Amalie, von Freiesleben, Pernille, Labuda, Roman, Varga, Elisabeth, Sulyok, Michael, Kubátová, Alena, Thrane, Ulf, Andersen, Birgitte, Nielsen, Kristian Fog
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fairfax Oxford University Press 01-09-2011
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Chromatography; Fungi; Immunosuppressive agents; Mycotoxins; Natural products; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Production methods; Studies; Yeast
• ISSN: 1367-5435; 1476-5535
• DOI: 10.1007/s10295-010-0916-1

Tolypocladium inflatum is known primarily for its production of the cyclosporines that are used as an immunosuppressive drug. However, we report here the production of the carcinogenic fumonisins B^sub 2^ and B^sub 4^ by this biotechnologically relevant fungal genus. These mycotoxins were detected in 11 strains tested from three species: Tolypocladium inflatum, T. cylindrosporum, and T. geodes. Production of fumonisins by Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus niger is highly medium- and temperature-dependent, so the effect of these parameters on fumonisin production by three T. inflatum strains was studied. Maximum production was achieved on media with high sugar content incubated at 25-30°C. Since these results demonstrate that fumonisin production could be widespread within the genus Tolypocladium, the potential contamination of commercial cyclosporine preparations with fumonisins needs to be investigated. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]