Toxin from Fusarium moniliforme: Effects on Plants and Animals.

A mycotoxin-producing strain of Fusarium moniliforme was isolated from southern leaf blight-damaged corn seed. A water-soluble toxin, subsequently purified from the fungus, had an oral median lethal dose of 4.0 milligrams per kilogram in 1-day-old cockerels. The toxin also produced plant growth-regulating and phytotoxic effects on plant systems. Physical and chemical data presented for the toxin suggest a structurally new toxin. The trivial name "moniliformin" has been assigned to the toxin.