Thirty-five Years of Research on Deoxynivalenol, a Trichothecene Mycotoxin: with Special Reference to Its Discovery and Co-occurrence with Nivalenol in Japan

Abstract

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin, was characterized together with nivalenol (NIV) from naturally infected wheat and barley grains of the 1970 epidemic in Kagawa ** , Japan. DON, 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON) and 3,15-diacetyl-DON (3,15-DADON) were identified as metabolites of Fusarium roseum No.117 (=F. graminearum ATCC 28114), a toxic isolate from the cereals of the 1970 epidemic, and their toxicological properties in animals, including acute toxicity, emetic activity, and in vivo de-epoxydation metabolism into DOM-1 (deepoxy-DON), were elucidated. Natural co-occurrence of DON and NIV in the domestic cereals was found to be common not only in southern Japan but also in other regions, and the geographic difference in the occurrence of both toxins in Japan was elucidated. In terms of mycotoxigenicity, F. graminearum strains isolated from crop fields were divided into two types: DON-and NIV-producers, and DON-producer was further subdivided into two subtypes, 3-ADON-and 15-acetyl-DON-producers by biotransformation experiment of 3,15-DADON as a precursor. The geographic differences in the incidence of these producers in Japan were observed. Correlation between the incidence of the toxin producers and the occurrence of DON and NIV were investigated by field trials. For screening NIV alone or in combination with DON in cereals, specific monoclonal antibodies were produced, and practical ELISA kits were successfully developed. In relation to our previous findings, current advances in the molecular phylogenetic analysis of mycotoxigenic F. graminearum, the molecular genetics of trichothecene biosynthesis, among others, were briefly reviewed.

Deoxynivalenol and Nivalenol Toxicities in Cultured Cells: a Review of Comparative Studies

“…1). In Japan, NIV contamination as well as DON contamination of cereals is commonly found 2,3) ; hence, studies on both DON and NIV toxicities are needed. Since they occasionally cocontaminate Japanese wheat and barley 2,3) , addressing the combined toxicity of these mycotoxins is also needed.…”

Meta-analytic review on the impact of temperature and water activity in deoxynivalenol synthesis by Fusarium graminearum

“…It has been associated to Fusarium head blight (FHB), a common wheat, and barley and maize disease caused by F. graminearum, F. moniliforme and less frequently by F. culmorum, F. proliferatum, and F. equiseti. Yoshizawa (2013) published a review of over three decades of research on DON and nivalenol (NIV). He mentioned at least eight FHB outbreaks in Japan between 1890 and 1970, resulting in considerable yield losses of wheat and barley, and several cases of human and animal intoxication.…”

Comprehensive Description of Fusarium graminearum Pigments and Related Compounds

“…The mold's most common mycotoxins are nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) [3], usually occurring together and frequently associated with gastrointestinal disorders, among other health impairments [4]. However, there are other relevant toxins, such as zearalenone (ZEA) [5], an estrogenic compound capable of causing abortion and other reproductive complications [6,7].…”