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Review
. 2021 Jan 6;13(1):35.
doi: 10.3390/toxins13010035.

Zearalenone and Its Metabolites-General Overview, Occurrence, and Toxicity

Karolina Ropejko  1 , Magdalena Twarużek  1
Affiliations
Review

Zearalenone and Its Metabolites-General Overview, Occurrence, and Toxicity

Karolina Ropejko et al. Toxins (Basel). .

Abstract

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi and represent one of the most common groups of food contaminants with low molecular weight. These toxins are considered common and can affect the food chain at various stages of production, harvesting, storage and processing. Zearalenone is one of over 400 detected mycotoxins and produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium; it mainly has estrogenic effects on various organisms. Contaminated products can lead to huge economic losses and pose risks to animals and humans. In this review, we systemize information on zearalenone and its major metabolites.

Keywords: contamination; mycotoxin; public health; toxicity; zearalenone.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structural formula of zearalenone.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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