The occurrence of 12, 13-epoxytrichothecenes in seeds of safflower infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. carthami.

From the seeds of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius Linn.), infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. carthami, 3 toxic compounds have been isolated in quantities sufficient to cause mycotoxicosis on prolonged ingestion. 2 of these have been identified as diacetoxyscirpenol and T-2 toxin, while the third one has also been partially characterized as a 12, 13-epoxytrichothecene. Additionally, the incidence of secondary fusarial infection of healthy seeds due to contamination with the infected ones has been reported for the first time.