Fusarium moniliforme, contamination

Fusarium moniliforme sya verticillioides causes the so-called ear rot disease in maize and produces fumonisin B, (IB,), one of the most frequently detected mycotoxins in the food supply chain worldwide (Steyn, 1995). FBi can inhibit lipid formation, particularly in the liver. Fumonisins have been detected and investigated only relatively recently. Several structurally related forms of fumonisins (FBS) have been associated with human cancer (e.g. FB with oesophageal cancer) as well as with a host of problems in livestock fed with FB -contaminated feed (D Mello, 2003 Benbrook, 2005). 

Pickled and salt-preserved foods, in particular plant-based products (pickled vegetables) in which microbial reduction of nitrate to nitrite occurs. Foodstuffs stored under humid conditions favouring fungal contamination, particularly the growth of Fusarium moniliforme. 

When consumed, the combread is often contaminated with the mold Fusarium moniliforme, and it has been shown (150,151) that this mold, in the presence of nitrite, will elaborate a range of IV-nitroso compounds Me2NNO, Et2NNO, Me(PhCH2)NNO, and (Me2CHCH2CH2)-(CH3COCHMe)NNO. Combread contaminated in this way induces tumors in rats (150). 

---