Production of vomitoxin on corn by Fusarium graminearum NRRL 5883 and Fusarium roseum NRRL 6101.

Two vomitoxin-producing isolates of Fusarium spp. were grown on cracked corn for 1 to 8 weeks at 15, 20, 25, 28, and 32 degrees C. Maximum production of vomitoxin by Fusarium graminearum Schw. NRRL 5883 occurred at 30 degrees C and 40 days, and that by Fusarium roseum Schw. NRRL 6101 occurred at 26 degrees C and 41 days. These optimum production points were determined from response surface contour graphs in relation to temperature and time. Only small amounts of vomitoxin were produced at 15 and 20 degrees C by each strain. A 133-microgram quantity of vomitoxin, with an indicated purity of 95%, was isolated per gram of corn fermented with F. graminearum NRRL 5883.