Impact of Zearalenone on the human food chain as potential hazards to human and animal health

Mycotoxins as a group of compounds known as secondary metabolites are produced during the growth of fungi. Zearalenone (F2 toxin) a secondary metabolite from Fusarium graminearum and some other Fusarium SPP is biologically potent and hardly toxic for mammals. Zearalenone placed in the group three of carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The main producers of zearalenone in cereals are Fusarium species. Zearalenone infesting cereals such as wheat, maize and barley. Zearalenone with estrogenic effects may bind to 17-β-estradiol receptors in cytoplasm (especially in liver and kidneys) or on the surface of the cells (the immune system) and make lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial apoptosis, cell death and inhibits protein and DNA synthesis. The other metabolites of Zearalenone family is α / β zearalenole (produced under the catalytic action of 3α/3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) or α / β zearalanole (produced with zearalenole reduction). These metabolites produced by fungi or fermentation of zearalenone by some bacteria. Also, zearalenone and its metabolites could convert into glucuronic acid or sulfates under the action of uridine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase or sulfonyltransferase. Zearalenone can enter to human food chain by direct use of cereals or with use of milk and meat of affected animals. Toxin can accumulated in the meat or in the eggs of affected animals. Zearalenone is heat resistance (up to 146 ºC), so it seems that attention to Zearalenone as potential hazards to human and animal health, could assist us to reduce entrance of zearalenone and its metabolites to human food chain.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mycotoxin ، Zearalenone ، Food chain ، Animal nutrition