Scientists Identify Compound that Kills Mycotoxin-Producing Pathogen
June 26, 2009Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have identified a compound that can inhibit the growth of the plant pathogen Fusarium verticillioides. F. verticillioides is an important cause of corn seedling blight and root, stalk and ear rot. The fungus also produces fumonisin mycotoxins, particularly fumonisin B1, which are toxic to livestock and poultry. Ingestion of F. verticillioides-infected corn is linked with high incidence of esophageal and liver cancers in humans.
The research team, headed by Charles Bacon, identified the compound from a strain Bacillus mojavensis, a plant residing bacterium. The bacterium produces Leu7-surfactin which is effective in controlling Fusarium even at very low concentration (20 micrograms per liter of liquid). Surfactin has a detergent-like activity that dissolves the lipid membranes inside the fungus. It can also be used in textile manufacture and environmental remediation.
The original story is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090624.htm
The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Clinton: 7 Principles for Sustainable Agricultural Systems Worldwide
- GM Maize for Local Trials by 2010
- OFAB Launched in Tanzania
- Arabic Book on Biotechnology in Egypt
- Regional Program on Biosafety Launched in West Africa
- Egyptian Agriculture Extension Workers Learned Biotechnology
- Scientists Identify Compound that Kills Mycotoxin-Producing Pathogen
- Arabidopsis Genome Gets an Overhaul
- Scientists Decipher Genome of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium
- Monsanto to Commercialize First Biotech Insect-Protected Soybean in Brazil
- Monsanto, Dole to Collaborate on Veggie Breeding
- Malaysia Moves Toward Setting Up a National Bioethics Committee
- Biofuel Impact on Food Crops in Thailand
- Australia Approves GM Blue Rose
- Malaysian Biotech Human Capital Development Report
- DuPont Makes Cotton Acquisitions in India
- New Serbian Law Prohibits Commercial Growing, Trade of GMOs
- German Court Sentences Anti-GMO Activists for Destroying Wheat Field
- Researchers Modify Castor Oil Plants to Produce Bio-lubricants
- Green Biotechnology and Climate Change
-
Research Highlights
- French Scientists: Germany’s GM Maize Ban Unfounded
- Anti-Allergy GM Rice Appears Safe in Animal Studies
-
Announcements
- ISAAA Video on "Knowledge, Technology and Poverty Alleviation" Available in 17 Languages"
- Call for John Dillon Memorial Fellowship
-
Resources
- Book on Biosafety Regulations in the Philippines
- Traditional and Alternative Medicine: Research and Policy Perspective
-
Read the latest: - Crop Biotech Update (August 10, 2022)
- Genome Editing Supplement (August 10, 2022)
- Gene Drive Supplement (July 27, 2022)
-
Subscribe to CBU: - Share
- Tweet