Research Progress of Safety of Zearalenone: A Review

Overview

Journal Toxins (Basel)

Publisher MDPI

Specialty Toxicology

Date 2022 Jun 23

PMID 35737047

Authors

Xiao Han

Bingxin Huangfu

Tongxiao Xu

Wentao Xu

Charles Asakiya

Kunlun Huang

Xiaoyun He

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Zearalenone, a mycotoxin produced by fungi of the genus , widely exists in animal feed and human food. The structure of zearalenone is similar to estrogen, so it mainly has estrogenic effects on various organisms. Products contaminated with zearalenone can pose risks to animals and humans. Therefore, it is imperative to carry out toxicological research on zearalenone and evaluate its risk to human health. This paper briefly introduces the production, physical, and chemical properties of zearalenone and the research progress of its toxicity kinetics, focusing on its genetic toxicity, reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity, endocrine interference, and its impact on intestinal health. Finally, the progress of the risk assessment of human exposure is summarized to provide a reference for the follow-up study of zearalenone.

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