Current Status of Zearalenone Pollution in Maize and its By-products and Research Progress on Biological Detoxification

Xue Linlin¹, Zhang Pengzhen¹, Yang Xiaojin², Fan Shouwu², Li Wang¹
1.College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology
2.Luoyang Ouke Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Abstract: Zearalenone (ZEN) is a fungal toxin produced by Fusarium spp., widely found in feed and feed ingredients, with corn and its byproducts being the main sources of ZEN contamination. Given the significant economic losses and health risks caused by ZEN contamination, there is an urgent need for technologies to rapidly and effectively detoxify it. Compared to the numerous drawbacks of physical and chemical detoxification methods, biological detoxification is considered the best method for ZEN detoxification due to its significant advantages. This paper outlines the hazards and limits of ZEN, systematically summarizes the current status of ZEN contamination in corn and its byproducts, lists microorganisms that can be used for ZEN detoxification, and discusses the biological mechanisms of ZEN detoxification, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the research and practical application of ZEN biological detoxification technology.