Does alteration of fumonisin production in Fusarium verticillioides lead to volatolome variation?

Highlights

• FUM mutants of F. verticillioides emitted 4 esters not emitted by wild type.

• F. verticillioides FUM mutants emitted a higher number of VOCs than the wild type.

• Ethyl 3-methylbutanoate was a VOC specific to the FUM mutants.

• Ethyl 3-methylbutanoate inhibited growth and fumonisin production in wild type.

• Mycelia of FUM mutants exhibited purple pigmentation.

Abstract

Fusarium verticillioides, a major fungal pathogen of maize, produces fumonisins, mycotoxins of global food safety concern. Control practices are needed to reduce the negative health and economic impacts of fumonisins. Therefore, we investigated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by fumonisin-producing (wild-type) and nonproducing (mutant) strains of F. verticillioides. VOC emissions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following inoculation of maize kernels, and fumonisin accumulation was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mutants emitted VOCs, including ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, that the wild type did not emit. In particular, ANOVA analysis showed significant differences between mutants and wild type for 4 VOCs which emission was correlated with absence of fumonisins. Exogenous ethyl 3-methylbutanoate reduced growth and fumonisin production in wild-type F. verticillioides, showing its potential in biocontrol. Together, our findings offer valuable insights into how mycotoxin production can impact VOC emissions from F. verticillioides and reveal a potential biocontrol strategy to reduce fumonisin contamination.