MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Modeling Temperature Requirements for Growth and Toxin Production of Alternaria spp. Associated with Tomato

Summary

Researchers studied how temperature affects three types of Alternaria fungi that infect tomatoes and produce harmful toxins. They found that warm temperatures between 25-30°C are best for fungal growth and toxin production, though different species prefer slightly different temperatures. The study created mathematical formulas to predict when these fungi will contaminate tomatoes, which could help farmers prevent losses and protect food safety.

Background

Alternaria species are common tomato pathogens that produce mycotoxins (alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tenuazonic acid) contaminating tomato-based products and posing health risks. Environmental conditions, particularly temperature, significantly influence both fungal growth and mycotoxin production. Previous studies have focused on limited species and temperature ranges, leaving knowledge gaps about ecological requirements for toxin production.

Objective

To investigate the effects of temperature (5-40°C) on mycelial growth and mycotoxin production in three Alternaria species commonly associated with tomato (A. alternata, A. solani, and A. tenuissima). The study aimed to develop mathematical equations describing temperature-dependent responses for predicting Alternaria contamination in field and post-harvest conditions.

Results

Growth was supported between 5-35°C with optimal temperatures of 25-30°C depending on species. A. alternata produced highest mycotoxin levels at 25-35°C, while A. tenuissima achieved maximum production at lower temperatures (15-25°C). Temperature explained 79-87% of mycotoxin production variance, more than species identity. Developed equations showed high goodness of fit (CCC ≥0.807, RMSE ≤0.147) with no significant difference between growth media.

Conclusion

Environmental temperature affects Alternaria growth and mycotoxin production more significantly than species identity. The developed mathematical equations reliably predict temperature effects on mycelial growth and production of alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, and tenuazonic acid, supporting development of predictive models for Alternaria contamination management in tomato crops and post-harvest storage.
  • Published in:Toxins (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40864037, DOI: 10.3390/toxins17080361
Scroll to Top