Effects of temperature, incubation period and substrate on production of fusaproliferin by Fusarium subglutinans ITEM 2404

The kinetics of the production of fusaproliferin by Fusarium subglutinans ITEM 2404 in maize and rice cultures was investigated at various incubation temperatures. The growth rate of F. subglutinans was highest at 20°C and 25°C in maize cultures and at 15°C in rice cultures. Although the growth rate was higher in rice than in maize, the maximal production of fusaproliferin was obtained in maize cultures, with a maximum yield (4309 μg g-1) at 20°C for 6 weeks. In rice cultures the optimal incubation regimen was at 15°C for 6 weeks, with a fusaproliferin level of 1557 μg g-1. The production of fusaproliferin at 25°C and 30°C in both substraies was very low, with maximal yield at 25°C of 979 μg g-1 after 2 weeks and 143 μg g-1 after 3 weeks in maize and rice cultures, respectively. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.