Tristan Brandhorst, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, University of WI – Madison discusses his investigation into the toxicity of the commonly used fungicide, fludioxonil.

Did you know that the commonly used fungicide, fludioxonil may cause oxidative damage to human cells? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and registered dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Tristan Brandhorst, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, University of WI – Madison who discusses his investigation into the toxicity of the commonly used fungicide fludioxonil. Brandhorst has researched the fungicide’s mechanism of toxicity and its effects on off-target organisms – from earth worms to humans. Brandhorst has been studying the physiology of pathogenic fungi for 20 years with research into fungal metabolites, toxicity factors, and mechanisms of virulence. His research group stumbled upon evidence that the fungicide fludioxonil did not work by its widely accepted “safe” mechanism, and has published his findings that fludioxonil acts on a sugar-metabolizing enzyme common to all cells. His research indicates that the complexity of pesticide effects on cells and enzymes in the body, and organisms generally, are not understood to the extent that they should be. To find out where you might find residues of this fungicide in your food, see The Pesticide Action Network’s What’s On My Food? https://www.whatsonmyfood.org/pesticide.jsp?pesticide=B23. And to hear Brandhorst’s presentation at the 2021 Beyond Pesticide Forum, see: www.beyondpesticides.org Related website: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GICBdP8bQGQ&list=PLkjxw2sUkRMOtImBlXkgW1pgw1ZZOQTWS