Mycotoxigenic Fusarium species from agricultural crops in Malaysia

Phytopathogenic and mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. are widespread in Malaysia. Common mycotoxigenic as well as phytopathogenic Fusarium spp. are F. oxysporum and several species members of the F. fujikuroi species complex, particularly F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi . Mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. infect crops in the field and can contaminate the crops after harvest and during storage. In vitro studies indicate that many isolates of mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. can produce mycotoxins, suggesting that these isolates can also produce mycotoxins in the host plant. Thus, there are opportunities for mycotoxin carryover to food and feed products. Although most Fusarium mycotoxins are heat stable, food processing such as sorting, trimming, cleaning, milling, cooking, baking, frying, roasting, and extrusion cooking have been reported to reduce concentrations of mycotoxins in food and feed products to varying degrees. In Malaysia, more studies on human exposure to Fusarium mycotoxins and to other mycotoxins are needed because such data are useful for estimation of the exposure levels. at night has been suggested to be the main factor that supports mycotoxigenic fungal growth and mycotoxin production because during night time, the plant host offers lower resistance to fungal colonization owing to a lack 9) , Other factors that might play a role in are stress factors including water and insect pest critical factors that