Fusarin C

Fusarin C is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species during growth on foods, especially cereals and cereal-based products. It is strongly mutagenic in bacterial test systems and is considered possibly carcinogenic in humans. Although it degrades relatively quickly in stored grain, its presence signals poor storage conditions and the likely co-occurrence of more stable Fusarium toxins such as trichothecenes and zearalenone. Surveillance programmes therefore treat a fusarin C finding as a warning flag for the overall mycotoxin burden of a lot. Drying grain promptly and keeping storage cool and dry remain the practical controls.