Abstract
Stimulatory effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on trichothecene biosynthesis by Fusarium graminearum KU 1352 [deoxynivalenol (DON) producer] and F. graminearum KU 1383 [nivalenol (NIV) producer)] were investigated in yeast extract-polypepton-sucrose medium. DMSO at concentrations subinhibitory to fungal growth significantly enhanced production of trichothecenes in both strains. Maximum yields of trichothecenes were 162% (660 μg/ml) of control at 5% DMSO in the DON producer and 141% (778 μg/ml) at 2% DMSO in the NIV producer. This is the first report on the enhancement of tricho-thecene production by DMSO without inhibition of biomass formation.
