Ecology

Biotechnology

Biology

Zearalenone

Botany

Food science

Food contaminant

Food chain

Organic chemistry

Fusarium

Toxicity

Toxicology

Contamination

Chemistry

Mycotoxin

Food safety

Toxins

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi and represent one of the most common groups of food contaminants with low molecular weight. These toxins are considered common and can affect the food chain at various stages of production, harvesting, storage and processing. Zearalenone is one of over 400 detected mycotoxins and produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium; it mainly has estrogenic effects on various organisms. Contaminated products can lead to huge economic losses and pose risks to animals and humans. In this review, we systemize information on zearalenone and its major metabolites.

Zearalenone and Its Metabolites—General Overview, Occurrence, and Toxicity