Effect of gamma-irradiation on F-2 and T-2 toxin production in corn and rice.

Fusarium graminearum and F. tricinctum were grown on moistened corn and rice. After inoculation the substrates were exposed to gamma-irradiation and growth rate together with mycotoxin production were measured. A delay in mycelium growth and an increase in F-2 and T-2 toxin production occurred after irradiation with 1 and 3 kGy. The maximum F-2 production was 10.7 mg/kg on rice at 3 kGy, whereas T-2 was 735 micrograms/kg on rice at 3 kGy. At 9 kGy neither growth nor toxin production could be detected in any inoculated corn and rice substrate.