Effect of UV-C irradiation treatment on mycotoxins production in Fusarium species inoculated wheat seeds during wheat germination

Wheat is a most important food crop worldwide. Wheat is reported to be susceptible to a variety of fungi, which could induce huge economic losses and the contamination of potential mycotoxins could bring serious toxic effects. In this work, UV-C irradiation treatment on Fusarium infected wheat seeds during germination was investigated. The results show that UV-C irradiation treatment could promote the germination rate of wheat in inoculated seeds samples. In addition, UV-C treatment could significantly inhibit Fumonisins and Beauvericin mycotoxins production. However, Enniatins production in inoculated wheat seed samples are enhanced in long-term UV-C irradiation treatment samples. Metabolites of Fumonisins, Beauvericin, and Enniatins are evaluated with major metabolic pathways including methylation/demethylation, hydrogenation/dehydrogenation, oxidation/deoxidation, and acetylation. In conclusion, short time UV treatment for 15 min is the best for the inhibition of target Fusarium mycotoxins production, which will be benefit for the improvement of the quality and safety of wheats. [Display omitted] •UV-C irradiation treatment could promote the germination rate of wheat.•UV-C treatment could significantly inhibit Fumonisins and Beauvericin production.•Enniatins production are enhanced in long-term UV-C treatment.•Methylation, hydrogenation, oxidation, and acetylation are major metabolic pathways for Fusarium mycotoxins.