Zearalenone is a mycotoxin that has estrogenic activity and is produced by Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium culmorum, and to a lesser extent by Fusarium equiseti and Fusarium crookwellense.
Corn, wheat and barley are the cereals most susceptible to being contaminated with this mycotoxin. In corn and wheat, zearalenone occurs pre-harvest.
The incidence and level of contamination of zearalenone, like all mycotoxins, varies depending on the environmental factors in which the fungus is found.
The incidence and level of contamination of zearalenone, like all mycotoxins, varies depending on the environmental factors in which the fungus is found, and its molecular weight is 318.36 g/mol.
European legislation establishes recommendation values (EU 2016/1319) in products intended for animal nutrition:
Products intended for animal nutrition
Recommended value in ppm with 12% humidity
Cereals and cereal-based products with the exception of corn by-products
2
Corn by-products
3
Compound animal feed for piglets, gilts, puppies, kittens, and dogs and cats for reproduction
0,1
Compound animal feed for adult dogs and cats other than those intended for reproduction
0,2
Compound animal feed for fattening pigs
0,25
Compound animal feed for calves, dairy cattle, sheep (including lambs) and goats (including goatlings)
0,5
Zearalenone has been listed as a compound of limited carcinogenicity by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
The swine species is the most susceptible to the toxic effects of zearalenone, and its toxic effects are related to estrogen and reproductive problems. The most reported symptoms in the literature are: vaginal and rectal prolapse, vulvar hypertrophy, testicular atrophy, inflammation of the uterus and vulva, enlargement of the mammary glands, enlargement of the breasts, inhibition of fertilization and abortions, etc.
However, accumulation of zearalenone in organs and tissues is low since it is rapidly metabolized and excreted.
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