Fumonisin production by Fusarium moniliforme and F. proliferatum isolated from several agricultural commodities and Japanese soil, and detection of new fumonisins.

Twelve Fusarium isolates were obtained from several agricultural commodities and soil collected in Japan, corn produced in New Guinea, and grapefruit from an unknown source. Their fumonisin-producing ability was tested on corn grits and 9 of the 12 isolates produced fumonisins. Since 3 isolates produced high levels of fumonisins, the extracts of their cultures were analyzed by LC/MS. The data including MS/MS analyses suggested that the isolate from unpolished domestic rice produced monomethyl ester of fumonisin B1. Furthermore, we detected novel fumonisin B1 analogues in the extract from the grapefruit, although we could not precisely determine their structures.