Nitrogen deprivation in Fusarium oxysporum promotes mycotoxin production via intermediates in the Krebs cycle and unreported methylmalonyl-CoA mutase activity.

The lower supplementation of inorganic nitrogen compounds (≤ 50 mM) and the elimination of nitrates/organic nitrogen sources resulted in TCA autophagy events that boosted mycotoxin-based metabolism and decreased overall F. oxysporum growth. Such knowledge of functional mycotoxin production can be used to supplement agricultural crops and reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination in human and animal food supplies.