Zearalenone (ZEN) is a resorcylic acid lactone produced by a number of Fusarium species. 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 tumors. 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 human and animal health.
Zearalenone is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF, DMSO, and has limited solubility in water.
We also offer:
- Zearalanone (syn: ZAN) (Z009)
| References |
Hagler WM et al (1979) Identification of the naturally occuring isomer of zearalenol produced by Fusarium roseum 'Gibbosum' in rice culture. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 37:849 Minervini F et al (2006) Influence of mycotoxin Zearalenone and its derivatives (alpha and beta zearalenol) on apoptosis and proliferation of cultured granulosa cells from equine ovaries. Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. 4: 62 Sheehan DM, Branham WS, Medlock KL and Shanmugasundaram ERB (1984) Estrogenic activity of Zearalenone and zearalenol in the neonatal rat uterus. Teratology 1 90:383-392 |