Chemical Properties
Crystalline Solid
Uses
A phytoestrogenic mycotoxin and ER activator
Uses
Estrogenic mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi commonly found in grains. One of a group of compounds known as resorcylic acid lactones
Uses
Zearalenone is a resorcylic acid lactone produced by a number of Fusarium sp.. Zearalenone acts as a non-steroidal estrogen, binding to estrogen receptor and is uterotropic. Zearalenone induces reproductive problems in animals and, in some animal models, is thought to be a primary initiator of hepatic tumours. In vivo, zearalenone undergoes metabolic reduction to the more estrogenic zearalenol. Contamination of grains, notably maize, by Fusarium species gives rise to high levels of zearalenone and is regarded as an important food quality issue for both humans and animal health.
Definition
ChEBI: A macrolide comprising a fourteen-membered lactone fused to 1,3-dihydroxybenzene; a potent estrogenic metabolite produced by some Giberella species.
General Description
White microcrystals or white powder.
Air & Water Reactions
Zearalenone may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. Insoluble in water.
Reactivity Profile
Zearalenone is an ester. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Zearalenone may be incompatible with alkalis.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for Zearalenone are not available. Zearalenone is probably combustible.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Zearalenone, a fungal mycotoxin produced by Fusarium, binds the estrogen receptor (ER) and is uterotropic in the newborn rat. It is a common contaminant in cereal grain used for animal and human food, and exerts an estrogenic activity that modulates/disrupts endocrine function in animals and possibly humans.
Metabolic pathway
When zearalenone is subjected to microbial
transformation by a fungus, Gliocladium roseum, it is
converted to a 1 : 1 mixture of 1-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-
10 0 -hydroxy-1-undecen-6'-one and 1-(3,5-
dihydroxyphenyl)-6'-hydroxy-1-undecen-10'-one.
