Analytical Procedure for the Determination of Zearalenone in Environmental and Biological Samples

Abstract

The metabolism of zearalenone (ZEA) and analytical methods for determining the presence of ZEA and its metabolites are discussed in this study. Similar to phytoestrogens, solid metaloestrogens, pharmaceuticals, and selected pesticides, ZEA is a substance that displays endocrine activity. ZEA is accumulated in living organisms, and it is capable of contaminating all trophic levels of the food chain, from grain, maize, and other crop plants to human consumers. Zearalenone has a structure similar to that of estrogen (the presence of a macrocyclic lactone ring), it has an affinity for estrogen receptors, and it competes with 17β-estradiol for binding the estrogen receptor in natural pathways. As endocrine disruptors, zearalenone and its metabolites can also contribute to carcinogenic mutations associated with female secondary sex characteristics. The determination of zearalenone and its metabolites in various matrices, first of all biological and environmental samples, poses significant problems. A variety ways of extracting and purifying zearalenone, including liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction, are described. Furthermore, it describes the possibility of applying a plurality of sensitive and specific instrumental methods, chromatographic techniques (TLC, HPLC, GC) as well as other methods (immunoaffinity chromatography).

Studies on the Presence of Mycotoxins in Biological Samples: An Overview

“…With regard to bioaccumulation, some studies reported that ZON is accumulated in living organisms, being capable of contaminating all trophic levels of the food chain, from crop plants to human consumers [ 17 ]. Residues of ZON, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), β-zearalenol (β-ZOL), and DON were detectable in pig liver, muscle, and bile after 28 days of mycotoxin feeding [ 18 ].…”

Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2017-2018

“…As the mycotoxin is also often measured in other matrices, the interested reader is referred to two recent reviews. Analytical procedures for the determination of ZEA in environmental (and biological) samples have been summarised (Kwasniewska et al, 2015). Also, the current state-of-the art in biomonitoring of ZEA and the application to human exposure assessment has been reviewed (Mally et al, 2016).…”

Quantification of zearalenone and α-zearalenol in swine liver and reproductive tissues using GC-MS

“…Methods for quantifying ZEN and metabolite concentrations in biological samples are important in determining mycotoxin exposure in animals for clinical or research purposes. Kwaśniewska et al has previously reviewed methods used for determination of ZEN and metabolites in tissue samples ( Kwaśniewska et al, 2015 ). Many methods require samples to undergo similar homogenization, extraction, and clean-up steps prior to instrumental analysis.…”

“…Liquid (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) are common instrumental methods capable of separating ZEN and metabolites from other compounds, and when combined with mass spectrometry (MS), can be used to identify ZEN and metabolites by ion mass. While LC methods are common in recent literature ( Kwaśniewska et al, 2015 ; Singh and Mehta, 2020 ), gas chromatography may be capable of providing similar sensitivity ( Kinani et al, 2008 ). However, research involving the application of GC-MS to the analysis and ZEN and metabolites in biological samples is limited ( Blokland et al, 2006 ).…”