A Review of Fumonisin Production by Fusarium moniliforme and Fumonisin Toxicosis in Animals

Grain and feed quality are topics of extreme interest to animal producers. Mold growth on feedstuffs can lead to an altered nutrient profile and, from time to time, the formation of mycotoxins. Studies that investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins in various agricultural commodities have demonstrated that Fusarium moniliforme, one of the most common feed molds, can produce a group of mycotoxins known as fumonisins. Initial studies indicate that the fumonisins possess varied toxicity in agricultural animals, and much attention is being directed toward a more complete understanding of the role of the fumonisins. This brief review examines some of the current understanding of F. moniliforme as well as the toxicological manifestations of the fumonisin toxins in both laboratory and agricultural animals.