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Screening forFusarium toxigenic isolates using larvae ofGalleria mellonella

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Summary

The toxicity of twenty-fourFusarium isolates was evaluated towards larvae ofGalleria mellonella by the antlfeedant activity of the autoclaved fungal culture incorporated into insect diet. Culturesof isolates belonging to F.sporotrichioldes, F. compactum andF. sambucinum, well known as capable to synthesize trichothecenes, showed high antifeedant activity (ca 60–70%); whereas controversial activity was showed byF. equiseti, F. proliferatum andF. solani cultures, and not significant activity was showed byF. oxysporum cultures. The G.mellonella larvae bioassay is suggested as a reliable sensitive Insectbioassay for screening fungal toxicity.

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Mulè, G., Logrieco, A., Bottalico, A. et al. Screening forFusarium toxigenic isolates using larvae ofGalleria mellonella . Mycotox Res 10, 41–46 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192249

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