Variability of mycotoxin production by Alternaria strains isolated from different substrates in Argentina

TERMINIELLO, L.; FERNÁNDEZ PINTO, V.; PATRIARCA, A.

Mérida, Yucatán

Congreso; VI Congreso Latinoamericano de Micotoxicología; 2010

Sociedad Latinoamericana de Micotoxicología (SLAM)

The genus Alternaria includes both plant pathogenic and saprophytic species that may damage crops in the field or cause post-harvest decay of fruits and vegetables. Alternaria spp. are the most common fungal species invading tomatoes and are important pathogens of various pome and stone fruits, citrus fruits, grapes, persimons, mangoes, melons, squashes, peppers, carrots, beans  and other fruits and vegetables. During their development in the host tissues, species of Alternaria are also known to produce a great number of secondary metabolites. Of these, only seven major mycotoxins belonging to three different structural classes are known as possible food contaminants with a potential toxicological risk. These include the following mycotoxins: alternariol (AOH), alternariol methyl ether (AME) and altenuene (ALT), which are dibenzopyrone derivates; altertoxins I, II, and III (ALTX I; ALTX II, ALTX III), which are perylene derivates; and tenuazonic acid (TA), a tetramic acid derivative.