to have been produced byF. moniliforme. It is now known that monili-
formin is actually produced by strains of the related species F. sub-
glutinans and not F. moniliforme. However, it is the latter which is
especially associated with human oesophageal cancer and a number of
complex metabolites have been isolated and characterized from cultures
of this species, including fusarin C, which is mutagenic, and the fumoni-
sins which are carcinogenic (Figure 8.18). However it would probably be
wise to be cautious about extrapolating laboratory tests demonstrating
carcinogenic activity to a human disease. Nevertheless, since the discov-
ery of the fumonisins, reported in 1988, they have become the focus of a
considerable amount of interest. Once the analytical problems had been
overcome it was realized that they are widespread wherever maize is
grown. In a survey in the UK in 1998, 97% of the 67 samples of maize
examined were found to contain fumonisins at levels ranging from
25 000–27 000mgkg^1. Similar levels of contamination have been found
Figure 8.18 Complex metabolites fromFusarium moniliforme. (a) Fusarin C and (b)
fumonisin B1
296 Non-bacterial Agents of Foodborne Illness