Genotoxicity of Fusarium mycotoxins (nivalenol, fusarenon-X, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone) in Chinese hamster V79-E cells in vitro.

The mycotoxins nivalenol, fusarenon-X, T-2 toxin and zearalenone were checked for clastogenic damage, induction of SCEs and cell cycle delay in Chinese hamster V79-E cells in vitro. The trichothecenes nivalenol, fusarenon-X and T-2 toxin provoked a marked toxicity as especially expressed by cell cycle delay. As compared to toxicity, they are weak clastogens. Addition of S9 mix toxified nivalenol, detoxified T-2 toxin and had no marked influence on fusarenon-X activity. SCE values were slightly increased. It is suggested that the effects observed are unspecific and are caused by inhibition of protein synthesis. Zearalenone was inactive in the three assays. Problems of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of Fusarium toxins are discussed.