Identification and detection of zearalenone-producing genes of Fusarium graminearum strains isolated from corn kernels

Fusarium graminearum is one of the main zearalenone producing source Fusarium species that can contaminate cereals such as corn. Considering the health risks of contamination with trichothecenessource fungi in cereals, in this study, contamination with zearalenone-producing Fusarium in corn samples collected from industrial and non-industrial farms in Razavi Khorasan Province was evaluated. In order to develop a simple method for detection of zearalenone, after cultur-ing these samples using pour plate technique, the isolates were purified through single-spore technique. All the Fusarium graminearum were identified by through PCR method using genus specific Tri5-F/R and Pks4-F/R as primers. 5 Of the 8 identified Fusarium graminearum isolates wich were tested with Tri5-F/R set of primers scored positive, and an amplicon with a size of 380 bp was obtained out of them which reveals their ability to produce trichothecenes. From these isolates, an amplicon of the size 280 bp was obtained after they scored positive with Pks4-F/R set of primers; which by itself shows the existence of Fusarium graminearum with the ability to produce zearalenone .These data indicate that, the developed PCR trend is a powerful, specific and sensitive tool to detect potential zearalenone contamination in food or feed production. Paying attention to the presence of toxigenic fungi on these corn samples, it is necessary to design some complementary investigation, decide health regulations and supervise their execution. Finally attention of public health and nutrition experts is essential too.