Fumonisins - a critical factor in swine health and productivity

摘要

Fumonisins are toxic secondary metabolites produced mainly by toxinogenic strains of Fusarium moniliforme. The greatest production of fumonisins take place in substrates with water activity greater than 0.91 and temperatures between 15-25 deg C.There are six types of fumonisins, but the most toxic and frequently found as natural contaminants of cereals, especially corn and corn by-products, are fumonisin BI (FBI) and fumonisin B2 (FB2). They can resist temperatures as high as 150 deg C, depending on exposure time and pH of the substrate. Fumonisins alter sphingolipids biosynthesis, induce hepatotoxicity and elevate serum cholesterol concentrations in all species studied. Other effects are species specific and include pulmonary oedema and cardiovascular changes in pigs.