Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa

Fusarium is one of the major fungal genera associated with maize in Africa. This genus comprises several toxigenic species including F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, which are the most prolific producers of fumonisins. The fumonisins are a group of economically important mycotoxins and very c...

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Autores principales: Fandohan, P., Hell, K., Marasas, W.F.O., Wingfield, M.J.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Academic Journals 2003
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96386
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author Fandohan, P.
Hell, K.
Marasas, W.F.O.
Wingfield, M.J.
author_browse Fandohan, P.
Hell, K.
Marasas, W.F.O.
Wingfield, M.J.
author_facet Fandohan, P.
Hell, K.
Marasas, W.F.O.
Wingfield, M.J.
author_sort Fandohan, P.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Fusarium is one of the major fungal genera associated with maize in Africa. This genus comprises several toxigenic species including F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, which are the most prolific producers of fumonisins. The fumonisins are a group of economically important mycotoxins and very common contaminants of maize-based foods and feeds throughout the world. They have been found to be associated with several animal diseases such as leukoencephalomalacia in horses and pulmonary oedema in pigs. Effects of fumonisins on humans are not yet well understood. However, their occurrence in maize has been associated with high incidences of oesophageal and liver cancer. Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisins are generally influenced by many factors including environmental conditions (climate, temperature, humidity), insect infestation and pre- and postharvest handling. Attempts to control F. verticillioides and to detoxify or reduce fumonisin levels in maize have been undertaken. However, more research studies are urgently needed in order to understand more about this toxin. Fumonisins are less documented because they are recently discovered mycotoxins compared to aflatoxins. To date in Africa, apart from South Africa, very little information is available on Fusarium infection and fumonisin contamination in maize. It is a matter of great concern that on this continent, millions of people are consuming contaminated maize and maize-based foods daily without being aware of the danger.
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spelling CGSpace963862024-05-15T05:11:45Z Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa Fandohan, P. Hell, K. Marasas, W.F.O. Wingfield, M.J. fusarium fumonisins maize Fusarium is one of the major fungal genera associated with maize in Africa. This genus comprises several toxigenic species including F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum, which are the most prolific producers of fumonisins. The fumonisins are a group of economically important mycotoxins and very common contaminants of maize-based foods and feeds throughout the world. They have been found to be associated with several animal diseases such as leukoencephalomalacia in horses and pulmonary oedema in pigs. Effects of fumonisins on humans are not yet well understood. However, their occurrence in maize has been associated with high incidences of oesophageal and liver cancer. Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisins are generally influenced by many factors including environmental conditions (climate, temperature, humidity), insect infestation and pre- and postharvest handling. Attempts to control F. verticillioides and to detoxify or reduce fumonisin levels in maize have been undertaken. However, more research studies are urgently needed in order to understand more about this toxin. Fumonisins are less documented because they are recently discovered mycotoxins compared to aflatoxins. To date in Africa, apart from South Africa, very little information is available on Fusarium infection and fumonisin contamination in maize. It is a matter of great concern that on this continent, millions of people are consuming contaminated maize and maize-based foods daily without being aware of the danger. 2003-12 2018-08-09T06:40:35Z 2018-08-09T06:40:35Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96386 en Open Access Academic Journals Fandohan, P., Hell, K., Marasas, W.F.O. & Wingfield, M.J. (2003). Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa. African Journal of Biotechnology, 2(12), 570-579.
spellingShingle fusarium
fumonisins
maize
Fandohan, P.
Hell, K.
Marasas, W.F.O.
Wingfield, M.J.
Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title_full Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title_fullStr Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title_short Infection of maize by Fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in Africa
title_sort infection of maize by fusarium species and contamination with fumonisin in africa
topic fusarium
fumonisins
maize
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/96386
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