This review highlights developments in mycotoxin analysis and sampling over a period between mid-2007 and mid-2008. It covers the major mycotoxins: aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, cyclopiazonic acid, fumonisins, ochratoxin, patulin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. Some aspects of natural occurrence, particularly if linked to novel aspects of analytical methods, are also included. The review dem...

Contamination of Canadian barley samples by 3,15-diacetyldeoxynivalenol was detected by enzyme immunoassays combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This is the first reported natural occurrence of this mycotoxin. The barley was infected mainly with Fusarium graminearum. Deoxynivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were also found.

Zearalenone and its metabolites, α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol, demonstrate estradiol-like activity and disrupt physiological functions in animals. This article evaluates the carryover of zearalenone and its selected metabolites from the digesta to intestinal walls (along the entire intestines) in pre-pubertal gilts exposed to low doses of zearalenone over long periods of time. The term "carryo...

The aim of the study was to examine the toxic effect of different doses of zearalenone on liver cells by estimating mycotoxin influence on antioxidant systems and on formation of free radicals in the liver. The research was carried out on male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into nine groups of 10 animals each. Group A was orally given 8% ethyl alcohol once a day for 10 d. Groups B, C, D, an...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of the Fusarium fungus-derived mycotoxin, zearalenone and its derivatives alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol on motility parameters and the acrosome reaction of stallion sperm. Since the toxic effects of zearalenone and its derivatives are thought to result from their structural similarity to 17beta-estradiol, 17beta-est...

Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium spp. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, isoforms 1 (HSD11B1) and 2 (HSD11B2), have been demonstrated to be the regulators of the local level of active glucocorticoid, which has a broad range of physiological actions. In the present study, the potency of zearalenone was tested for the inhibition of HSD11B1 and HSD11B2 in rat and human tissues. Zear...

Mycotoxin contamination levels in maize kernels are controlled by a complex set of factors including insect pressure, fungal inoculum potential, and environmental conditions that are difficult to predict. Methods are becoming available to control mycotoxin-producing fungi in preharvest crops, including Bt expression, biocontrol, and host plant resistance. Initial reports in the United States an...

The BCRP (ABCG2) transporter is responsible for the efflux of chemicals from the placenta to the maternal circulation. Inhibition of BCRP activity could enhance exposure of offspring to environmental chemicals leading to altered reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic development. The purpose of this study was to characterize environmental chemicals as potential substrates and inhibitors of the ...