FORMATION OF ZEARALENONE ON WHEAT CONTAMINATED WITH FUSARIUM-GRAMINEARUM UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

The contamination of cereals with field-growing Fusarium species can b e a health hazard since Fusarium are known for their ability to produc e mycotoxins like zearalenone (ZON) and deoxynivalenol (DON). For this study the formation of ZON was investigated under controlled growth c onditions. Ergosterol, as an indicator of fungal growth, and ZON were analysed by HPLC with UV and fluorescence detection respectively. It i s shown that ZON is synthesised in the late growth phase of the fungi, which is typical for secondary metabolites. Milling of contaminated w heat shows a reduced content of ZON in fractions of low ash content. C onsequently the concentration of ZON in bran, which has a high ash con tent, was much higher.