Quantifying Naturally-Occurrrng Macrocyclic Trichothecene Toxins

Macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins (Figure 1) are toxic metabolites produced by the fungi, Stachybotrys and Myrothecium (Bambarg and Strong, 1972; Jarvis et al., 1980). These fungi are considered both causative agents of stachybotryotoxicosis and plant pathogens. Various reports have appeared concerning macrocyclic trichothecene-induced mycotoxicosis and stachybotryotoxicosis (Adnrassy et al., 1980; Danko, 1976; Harrach et al., 1983; Schneider et al., 1979). These diseases have occurred in various regions of the world, e.g., South Africa (Schneider et al., 1979), Finnland (Hintikka, 1977), the Soviet Union (Yuskiv, 1968), and Hungary (Danko, 1976; Harrach et al., 1983). In addition, fungal strains which produce macrocyclic trichothecenes have been detected in Poland, East Germany, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, India, and Egypt. Therefore, the macrocyclic trichothecenes appear to be widely distributed.