Fusarium is one of the most important genera of plant pathogenic fungi on earth, with a record of devastating infections in many kinds of economically important plants. Fusarium species are responsible for wilts, blights, root rots and cankers in legumes, coffee, pine trees, wheat, corn, carnations and grasses. The importance of Fusarium species in the current context is that infection may sometimes occur in developing seeds, especially in cereals, and also in maturing fruits and vegetables. An immediate potential for toxin production in foods is apparent.
Organism Details:
Shape and Size
Banana-shaped,
Genome Information
Fusarium graminearum is a filamentous fungi.Globally known the homothallic ascomycete fungus.Fusarium graminearum Fusarium graminearum strain CS3005 chromosome 4, whole genome shotgun sequence.A12 has linear DNA..(updated soon)
Food Source
Pathological Factor
Fusarium mycotoxins are known to be highly toxic to animals, and are suspected to be responsible for acute and chronic human diseases also.The toxicity and natural occurrence of these mycotoxins in wheat .
Disease
Toxic metabolites of the mold have been found to be toxigenic in humans and animals. The major mycotoxins produced by F. graminearum are deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone. Other toxins trichothecenes constitute the greatest known mycotoxin threat to human.In humans DON has been found to be potentially immunosuppressive, and may result in kidney toxicity. Zearalenone may cause estrogenic issues in humans resulting in mild to severe reproductive effects.Responsible for acute and chronic human diseases