Zearalenone Contamination in Corn, Corn Products, and Swine Feed in China in 2016–2018 as Assessed by Magnetic Bead Immunoassay

Abstract

In total, 405 samples of corn, corn products, and swine feed from China in 2016–2018 were surveyed for zearalenone (ZEN) contamination using a magnetic bead immunoassay-coupled biotin–streptavidin system (BAS-MBI). The developed BAS-MBI had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.098 ng mL−1, with half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC50) of 0.71 ng mL−1 in working buffer, and an LOD of 0.98 ng g−1; the detection range was from 0.98 to 51.6 ng g−1 in authentic agricultural samples. The BAS-MBI has been demonstrated to be a powerful method for the rapid, sensitive, specific, and accurate determination of ZEN. The ZEN positivity rate reached the highest level of 40.6% in 133 samples in 2016; ZEN levels ranged from 1.8 to 1100.0 ng g−1, with an average level of 217.9 ng g−1. In 2017, the ZEN positivity rate was the lowest at 24.5% in 143 samples; ZEN levels ranged from 1.1 to 722.6 ng g−1, with an average of 166.7 ng g−1. In 2018, the ZEN positivity rate was 31.8% in 129 samples; ZEN levels ranged from 1.3 to 947.8 ng g−1, with an average of 157.0 ng g−1. About 20% of ZEN-positive samples exceeded maximum limit levels. An alternative method of ZEN detection and a valuable reference for ZEN contamination in corn and its related products in China are provided. This survey suggests the need for prevention of serious ZEN contamination, along with management for food safety and human health.

Semi‐quantitative and quantitative detection of ochratoxin A in agricultural by‐products using a self‐assembling immunochromatographic strip

“…Recent investigations of mycotoxin levels in compound feed and raw feed materials have revealed ochratoxin A (OTA) to be a potential 'rising star of mycotoxin contamination' behind aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) and zearalenone (ZEN) due to its high positive detection rates and the fact that it commonly exceeds normal levels. [1][2][3][4] Ochratoxin is one of the primary toxic secondary metabolites produced by the Aspergillus or Penicillium genera of fungi, which are frequently detected in coffee, milk, dried fruit, condiments, alcohol, cereal, crops, and their by-products. [5][6][7] The excessive intake of agricultural by-products contaminated with OTA can cause hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and teratogenesis.…”

New Biotransformation Mode of Zearalenone Identified in Bacillus subtilis Y816 Revealing a Novel ZEN Conjugate

“…Zearalenone (ZEN), 6-(10-hydroxy-6-oxo-trans-1-undecenyl)-β-resorcylic acid lactone, is one of most widely distributed nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxins biosynthesized by Fusarium species ( Fusarium graminearum , Fusarium culmorum , Fusarium equiseti , and Fusarium crookwellense ). , Neurotoxicity, teratogenesis, immunosuppression, estrogenic, and even carcinogenic effects might occur after consuming products with ZEN contamination. , ZEN contamination easily occurs in cereal and cereal products, which is a threat to human health and great economic loss in livestock farming. From 2016 to 2018, 405 samples of corn, corn products, and swine feed from China were surveyed for ZEN contamination . The positive rates of ZEN contamination were 40.6% in 133 test samples, 24.5% in 143 test samples, and 31.8% in 129 test samples, respectively .…”

“…From 2016 to 2018, 405 samples of corn, corn products, and swine feed from China were surveyed for ZEN contamination . The positive rates of ZEN contamination were 40.6% in 133 test samples, 24.5% in 143 test samples, and 31.8% in 129 test samples, respectively . The average ZEN content of the contaminated samples was above 157.0 ppb .…”

Ultrasensitive monitoring strategy of PCR‐like levels for zearalenone contamination based DNA barcode

“…Zearalenone (ZEN), belonging to the secondary metabolites from Fusarium species, became one of the three main mycotoxins, along with aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) and deoxynivalenol (DON), as a result of their high detection rates and contaminated levels in recent years 1–3 . In the carcinogenic classification, ZEN has been categorized as grade III 4 .…”