Trichothecene
Trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by various species of fungi, including those from the genera Fusarium, Myrothecium, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, Cephalosporium, Verticimonosporium and Stachybotrys. Trichothecenes are among the sesquiterpene compounds. They were first isolated in 1948 by Freeman and Morrison from the mold Trichothecium roseum and received by the fungus its name. The poisonous mushroom Podostroma cornu - Damae which occurs in Japan and China, contains six trichothecenes ( Satratoxin H, Roridin E, verrucarin J and others).
The key structural features which are fundamental to the biological activities of the trichothecenes are the 12,13- epoxy ring, the presence of hydroxyl or acetyl groups at appropriate positions in the trichothecene nucleus, and the structure and position of the side chains. They are classified based on their different chemical structures and their toxicity in 4 subgroups (Type A to D according to Ueno 1983), where type A and B occur most frequently. Type B trichothecenes differ by a carbonyl group at C-8 of type A.
A distinction is made between simple and macrocyclic trichothecenes. The latter class has a macrocyclic ring in addition to the general, central sesquiterpene ring structure of the simple Trichothecenene.
Trichothecenes have because of their immunosuppressive effect, since some of the types of mold to leave a strong impact on the health of animals and humans, for example (eg Stachybotrys chartarum ) the toxins in the air. Type A trichothecenes (eg, T -2 toxin, HT -2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol ) are of particular interest because they more toxic than the similar type B trichothecenes (eg deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, 3 - and 15-acetyl ). Her big effects - related to their concentration in the environment - reduced feed intake, resulting in vomiting and disturbance of the immune system. They are absorbed through the skin and the food and damage cells. When symptoms of poisoning occur mainly vomiting, diarrhea and skin reactions. You can poae in attack by various Fusarium species such as F. graminearum, F. sporotrichioides, F. in many grains such as wheat, oats or corn, F. and F. langsethiae equiseti be detected.
Trichothecenes ( and others T -2 toxin ) were explored in some countries for military purposes, but this was abandoned due to their lack of stability to UV light and heat.
Proof
A very rough estimate of the concentration of the trichothecene deoxynivalenol in cereals can be made about the basis of the proportion of infested wheat grains. A more precise determination allows the evaluation of the reflectance spectra of wheat grains. The most accurate methods are the direct evidence of trichothecenes for example, by HPLC analysis with tandem mass spectrometry.
Trichothecenes (selection)
- Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin ( type B trichothecene )
- Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)
- Fusarenon X ( FusX )
- Myrotoxine, for example, Myrotoxin B
- Neosolianol ( NeoSol )
- Nivalenol (NIV )
- Trichodermin
- T -2 toxin
- Verrucarins, for example, verrucarin A