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Biotransformation of zearalenone

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7140586
Zearalenone is a non-steroidal mold metabolite which as been associated with the estrogenising syndromes in swines and reproduction problems in cattle when fed with infected grains. This study investigates the metabolism of zearalenone by microorganisms using different fungal species as a model system employing the two-stage fermentation protocol. Screening with 170 microorganisms was carried out and those fermentations showing appreciable transformation were scaled up for large-scale fermentation. Following extraction of the fermentation with chloroform, the solvent was concentrated and the residue purified by silica gel columns or preparative thin layer chromatography. The identification of the purified metabolites was established by using IR, 'H-NMR, /sup 13/C-NMR, and high resolution mass spectral analysis, as well as comparison of their R/sub f/ values and R/sub t/ on thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The binding characteristics of zearalenone as well as its derivatives to estrogen-receptors using the /sup 3/H-estradiol receptor competition assay were determined. Six metabolites were shown to interact directly with the estrogen receptors. Alpha-zearalanol was found to be the most active competitor for estradiol binding. The remaining six metabolites lacked the ability to bind to the estrogen receptor and are therefore biologically inactive.
Research Organization:
Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA)
OSTI ID:
7140586
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English