Editing Fusarium ear blight (section)

== Mycotoxins ==
''Fusarium'' species associated with FEB produce a range of mycotoxins—fungal [[secondary metabolite]]s with toxic effects on animals. One mycotoxin can be produced by several ''Fusarium'' species, and one species can produce several mycotoxins. Important ''Fusarium'' mycotoxins include: 
* [[Vomitoxin|Deoxynivalenol]] (DON) produced by ''F''. ''graminearum'' and ''F''. ''culmorum''
* [[Zearalenone]] (ZEN) produced by ''F''. ''graminearum'' and ''F''. ''culmorum''
* HT-2 and T-2 produced by ''F''. ''langsethiae''
Fusarium toxins have negative effects on the immune, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems of animals.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=D’Mello|first1=J.P.F.|last2=Placinta|first2=C.M.|last3=Macdonald|first3=A.M.C.|title=Fusarium mycotoxins: a review of global implications for animal health, welfare and productivity|journal=Animal Feed Science and Technology|volume=80|issue=3–4|pages=183–205|doi=10.1016/s0377-8401(99)00059-0|year=1999|citeseerx=10.1.1.453.2615}}</ref> DON is a protein synthesis inhibitor, also called vomitoxin, due to its negative effects on feed intake in [[Domestic pig|pigs]]. Pigs are the most sensitive to DON, while [[ruminant]] animals such as cattle have higher tolerance.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Miller|first=J. David|date=2008-02-01|title=Mycotoxins in small grains and maize: Old problems, new challenges|journal=Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A|volume=25|issue=2|pages=219–230|doi=10.1080/02652030701744520|pmid=18286412|s2cid=32428433|issn=1944-0049|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Many countries monitor ''Fusarium'' mycotoxins in grain to limit negative health effects. In the U.S. there are advisory levels for DON in human food and livestock feed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/ChemicalContaminantsMetalsNaturalToxinsPesticides/ucm120184.htm|title=Chemical Contaminants, Metals, Natural Toxins & Pesticides - Guidance for Industry and FDA: Advisory Levels for Deoxynivalenol (DON) in Finished Wheat Products for Human Consumption and Grains and Grain By-Products used for Animal Feed|last=Nutrition|first=Center for Food Safety and Applied|website=www.fda.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref> The [[European Union]] has legislative limits for several ''Fusarium'' mycotoxins in grain aimed for human consumption<ref>{{CELEX|32006R1881|text=Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs}}</ref> <sup>repealed by</sup> <ref>{{CELEX|32023R0915|text=Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006}}</ref> and recommended limits for animal feed.<ref>{{CELEX|32006H0576|text=Commission Recommendation of 17 August 2006 on the presence of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT-2 and fumonisins in products intended for animal feeding}}</ref>