Background: Fungi of the genus Fusarium are widely found in plant debris and crop plants worldwide. Several species from this genus are economically relevant by their ability to cause tissue destruction and produce mycotoxins on important crops such as corn, wheat and other small grains on the field, and in storage. Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum are probably the most important producers of fumonisin B1 (FB1). It has been found to be associated with several animal diseases. With respect to humans, their occurrence in corn has been associated with high incidences of esophageal cancer and liver cancer. In recent years, particular interest has been focused on the potential application of natural products such as monoterpenes and phenolic compounds, to prevent fungal growth and mycotoxins production in grain and cereal. However, little is knowledge about the molecular properties related to the antitoxigenic activity of them.

Aim:

1) To study the effects of phenolic compounds on FB1 by Fusarium verticillioides MRC 4316.

2) To determine the links between the structure and molecular properties and the antitoxigenic activity of the phenolic compounds