Zearalenone in cereal grains

Phenotypic, endocrinological, and metabolic effects of zearalenone exposure and additive effect of heat stress in prepubertal female pigs

Independently, both heat stress (HS) and zearalenone (ZEN) compromise female reproduction, thus the hypothesis that ZEN would affect phenotypic, endocrine, and metabolic parameters in pigs with a synergistic and/or additive impact of HS was investigated. Prepubertal gilts (n = 6-7) were assigned to: thermoneutral (TN) vehicle control (TC; n = 6); TN ZEN (40 μg/kg; TZ; n = 6); pair-fed (PF; n = 6) vehicle control (PC; n = 6); PF ZEN (40 μg/kg; PZ; n = 6); HS vehicle control (HC; n = 7); and HS ZEN (40 μg/kg; HZ; n = 7) and experienced either constant 21.0 ± 0.10 °C (TN and PF) or 35.0 ± 0.2 °C (12 h) and 32.2 ± 0.1 °C (12 h) to induce HS for 7 d. Elevated rectal temperature (P < 0.01) and respiration rate (P < 0.01) confirmed induction of HS. Rectal temperature was decreased (P = 0.03) by ZEN. Heat stress decreased (P < 0.01) feed intake, body weight, and average daily gain, with absence of a ZEN effect (P > 0.22). White blood cells, hematocrit, and lymphocytes decreased (P < 0.04) with HS. Prolactin increased (P < 0.01) in PC and PZ and increased in HZ females (P < 0.01). 17β-estradiol reduced (P < 0.01) in HC and increased in TZ females (P = 0.03). Serum metabolites were altered by both HS and ZEN. Neither HS nor ZEN impacted ovary weight, uterus weight, teat size or vulva area in TN and PF treatments, although ZEN increased vulva area (P = 0.02) in HS females. Thus, ZEN and HS, independently and additively, altered blood composition, impacted the serum endocrine and metabolic profile and increased vulva size in prepubertal females, potentially contributing to infertility.

Application of surface-imprinted polymers supported by hydroxyapatite in the extraction of zearalenone in various cereals

Surface-imprinted polymers supported by hydroxyapatite (HAP@MIPs) were prepared using coumarin-3-carboxylic acid and naringenin as dummy template molecules of zearalenone (ZEA). HAP@MIPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The adsorption performance was studied. The results showed that it could reach the adsorption equilibrium within 6 min. The adsorption amount could reach 6.77 μg mg^-1, while the concentration was 20 μg mL^-1. The self-made solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns were prepared with HAP@MIPs as sorbents for the separation and purification of ZEA in cereal samples. The method was established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The recoveries were in the range of 70.09-101.88%; the relative standard deviation was 2.06-8.47%. Finally, millet, coix lachryma, and corn were placed under extreme conditions to produce ZEA. The method was used to extract and analyze ZEA in the above samples. The results showed that self-made SPE columns with HPLC could be used for the separation and enrichment of ZEA in real samples. Graphical abstract.

Fusarium crookwellense-produced zearalenone in maize stubble in the field

Waste grain and vegetative material (stems and leaves) collected from a maize field several months after harvest was analysed by bi-dimensional thin layer chromatography for the presence of aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin, T-2 toxin and zearalenone. Deoxinivalenol (0.7 mg/kg) and T-2 toxin (4.1 mg/kg) were found in the grain and zearalenone (3.0 mg/ kg) was found in the stem and leaf. No other toxins were detected. The stubble was examined for the presence of potentially toxigenic Fusarium species, and F. poae, F. moniliforme var. subglutinans and F. crookwellense were isolated and identified. When these isolates were cultured on cracked corn, only F. crookwellense was found to produce micotoxins and then only zearalenone was detected. As corn stubble is commonly grazed in Argentina and in other countries, these findings identify a further source of mycotoxins that may adversely affect animal health and productivity.

Effects of zearalenone and alpha-Zearalenol in comparison with Raloxifene on T47D cells

Zearalenone (Zen) is a mycotoxin with estrogenic effect which contaminates cereals. In cell culture, Zen and its metabolite, alpha-Zearalenol (alpha-Zel), stimulate breast cancer cells growth. Today hormone-dependent cancers are important because of high incidence and death rate. Previous studies showed that Zen and alpha-Zel have an effect on hormone-dependent cancers. This study explains the effects of the mentioned compounds in comparison with Raloxifene as an anti-estrogen. Cell culture technique was used with MDA-MB-231 and T47D cells for evaluation of compounds. MDA-MB-231 cells were used as negative control and also for proving that treatment compounds merely affect, due to their proliferation activity in the applied doses. According to the Resazurine-based method, for toxicity assay, none of the test compounds have an effect on MDA-MB-231 cells but do effect the growth of T47D cells. Zen and alpha-Zel at low concentrations (10-8-10-9 M) stimulated T47D cell growth and Raloxifene strongly inhibited cell growth induced by Zen and alpha-Zel. There is a noticeable result in controlling diet of hormonal carcinogenic compounds and applying novel anti-estrogens for prevention and treatment of hormone-dependent cancers.

DNA fragmentation, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by zearalenone in cultured DOK, Vero and Caco-2 cells: prevention by Vitamin E

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal oestrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species growing on cereals. ZEN and its metabolites bind to human oestrogen receptors and hence display oestrogenic and anabolic properties. Several lines of investigation suggest that ZEN may be genotoxic in vivo. ZEN damages DNA in Bacillus subtilis recombination tests, and it induces sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberration in CHO cells. ZEN also induces DNA-adduct formation in mouse tissues and SOS repair process in lysogenic bacteria. In the present study, ZEN genotoxicity has been confirmed in three cell-lines, Vero, Caco-2 and DOK at concentrations of 10, 20 and 40 microM. Under these conditions, ZEN induces concentration-dependent DNA fragmentation resulting in DNA laddering patterns on agarose gel electrophoresis. This observation is consistent with apoptosis, which was confirmed by observations of formation of apoptotic bodies. Moreover, ZEN induces cell cycle arrest in the three cell-lines characterised by an increase of the number of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Vitamin E (25 microM) added simultaneously with ZEN partially reduces DNA fragmentation and apoptotic body formation after 24h incubation. Vitamin E may act by maintaining prolonged cell cycle arrest during which time DNA repair takes place.

Prepubertal Zearalenone Exposure Suppresses N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis but Causes Severe Endocrine Disruption in Female Sprague-Dawley Rats

The effect of prepubertal exposure to zearalenone, an estrogenic mycotoxin, on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary tumorigenesis and its influence on reproductive organs were examined in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Prepubertal rats were treated daily with either 0.1 or 10 mg/kg body weight of zearalenone between 15 and 19 days of age and compared with zearalenone-untreated animals (30 rats in each group). Six rats in each group were autopsied at 28 days of age, and their growth was evaluated. All remaining rats were given 50 mg/kg body weight MNU at 28 days of age and followed by monitoring for occurrence of mammary tumors > or =1 cm in diameter. Zearalenone did not affect body weight increase, and mammary glands showed similar development at 28 days of age (time at carcinogen administration). Both low- and high-dose zearalenone treatment significantly reduced incidence of mammary tumors > or =1 cm in diameter but did not influence latency (time between MNU administration and harvest of mammary tumor > or =1 cm in diameter) compared with untreated controls. Zearalenone dose dependently suppressed the number of histologically detected tumors (carcinomas) and multiplicity; the suppression was significant with high-dose treatment. However, high-dose treatment caused significantly earlier vaginal opening, both low- and high-dose treatment significantly caused irregularity of estrous cycle (persistent estrus or prolonged diestrus) at 8 to 10 wk of age, and zearalenone dose dependently increased the number of anovulatory rats (ovaries without newly formed corpora lutea) at 37 wk of age. Thus, short-duration zearalenone treatment in the prepubertal period suppressed subsequent mammary cancer occurrence but also severely damaged ovarian functions. This suggests that ingestion of foods containing zearalenone in the infantile period can have dramatic effects in later life.

Induction of a SOS repair system in lysogenic bacteria by zearalenone and its prevention by vitamin E

Zearalenone (Zen) is an oestrogenic mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species in cereals. It induces modifications of haematological parameters in rats with cytotoxicity and inhibition of macromolecular synthesis (nucleic acids and protein). Zen and its metabolites have oestrogenic and anabolic activities and interact with human oestrogen receptors. Zen and its metabolites showed a positive DNA damaging effect in recombination tests with Bacillus subtilis. It induces sister chromatid exchange and chromosomal aberration in CHO cells. Zen was found to be capable of inducing DNA-adduct formation in mouse liver. The genotoxicity of Zen was questionable until the last decade when increasing data tended to show this toxin to be genotoxic in vivo. However the mechanism of its genotoxicity and mutagenicity has not been completely clarified. The present investigations were designed to show whether Zen induces an SOS-DNA repair response in lysogenic bacteria which have an integrated lambda-bacteriophage in their genome. Zen was found to be genotoxic in the bacterial systems from a concentration of 1.50 mM and it was also bactericidal (IC50 = 1.45 mM). In addition vitamin E (6.0-12.0 mM) added 1 h prior to the toxin proved to prevent both the genotoxic and bactericidal effects of Zen. This vitamin could be active both as an antioxidant and as a radical scavenger. The specificity of this prevention is probably due to the similarity of structure between vitamin E and Zen.

Natural sex steroids and their xenobiotic analogs in animal production: growth, carcass quality, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, mode of action, residues, methods, and epidemiology

Natural and xenobiotic compounds having sex-related actions have long been used for growth promotion and various changes in carcass quality in meat animals. The first compounds used were synthetic estrogens; however, later on a whole battery of compounds having androgenic, and progestogenic actions have also been involved. In surveying the effects of these compounds in meat-producing animals, it became clear that these drugs increase the growth rate of the treated animals and bring about changes in the carcass that are generally characterized by lower fat content and more lean mass. Extensive studies undertaken in various countries, including the European Economic Community (EEC), have shown that if used according to good husbandry practices, the meat from treated animals does not have excessive amounts of residues compared with the endogenous amount of steroid production in the animals in question and also in human beings. The banning of these compounds in the European community brought a new phenomenon of illegal or black market cocktails. These mixtures of anabolic steroids are injected into the body of the animals rather than implanted in the ears, which is the normal practice in countries where they have not yet been banned. Several screening and confirmatory methods are now available for monitoring programs. However, these programs need excessive resources in terms of manpower, funds, and proper legislation, which in underdeveloped countries is questionable, particularly in the absence of strong scientific evidence for the exercise.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on the natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in wheat, flour and bread

A survey was carried out to obtain data on the occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxin in wheat and flour samples collected from local markets in Egypt and to study the influence of gamma-irradiation on controlling the occurrence of these mycotoxins in wheat, flour and bread. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected in five samples of wheat at levels ranging from 103 to 287 micrograms/kg and one sample each of flour and bread at concentrations 188 and 179 micrograms/kg. Zearalenone (ZEN) was detected in ten samples of wheat at levels from 28 to 42 micrograms/kg and four samples each of flour and bread at concentrations of 95 and 34 micrograms/kg, respectively. T-2 toxin was detected only in one sample each of wheat, flour and bread at concentrations of 2.9, 2.2 and 2.3 micrograms/kg, respectively. Gamma-irradiation at dose level of 6 kGy completely eliminated fungal flora in flour and wheat. DON, ZEN and T-2 toxin concentrations are reduced to 85, 20 and 2.0 micrograms/kg for wheat and to 125, 45 and 1.0 micrograms/kg for flour after 4 kGy exposure and a sharp drop in Fusarium toxin levels occurred at 6 kGy and as eliminated at 8 kGy. Bread prepared from 6 kGy was contaminated with Fusarium toxin at levels below 5 microgram/kg. It was noticed that gamma-irradiation reduce greatly the natural occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins in bread.

Effect of germination on vomitoxin level in grain

The present investigation clarified the effect of enzymes or other substances formed during the germination process on the vomitoxin level of contaminated oats. The studies found that oats containing vomitoxin germinated very poorly; the decrease in toxins was also slight. The amount of pure vomitoxin added to toxin-free grain decreased (barley 53%, oats 40%, wheat 20%) during germination (5 d). In homogenized mixture of germinated grain (2.4 and 7 d) and toxic grain no decrease in toxin amount occurred during a 1-7 day period. In contrast, when germinating toxin free grains and toxic oats in a grain mixture the toxin level decreased at first, but later rose considerably. On the basis of these results, the utilization of germination processes for the improvement of grain containing vomitoxin is of questionable value.

Isolation and determination of zearalenone in rice cultures using liquid chromatography with diode array detection

A rapid method is described for the isolation and determination of zearalenone (ZEN) produced by Fusarium spp., in moist rice culture. Following a simple solvent extraction using acetonitrile:water, the crude extract was defatted with hexane and diluted with methanol. The extract solution containing ZEN was evaporated to dryness, the residue dissolved in acetonitrile and diluted with water. The solution was analysed by liquid chromatography using a UV-diode array detector. The UV spectra and chromatographic data generated from the standard ZEN was stored in a computer and used to identify the toxin in a crude mixture. The purity of the separated peak and the amount of toxin in the crude mixture was determined. The present technique is fast and allows the acquisition of UV spectral information and chromatographic data of ZEN in a single chromatographic operation. Recovery of zearalenone added to the rice was 76-94%.

Isolation and characterization of zearalenone sulfate produced by Fusarium spp

A water-soluble compound related to zearalenone was isolated from a culture of Fusarium graminearum 30 grown in rice. The structure of the novel metabolite was determined to be zearalenone-4-sulfate on the basis of fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, UV spectroscopy, and by chemical and enzymatic reactions. Strains representing Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium sambucinum, and Fusarium roseum produced the sulfate conjugate as well. In the rat uterus enlargement bioassay, the metabolite or its hydrolysis product was found to retain the estrogenic activity characteristic of zearalenone. Natural occurrence of this novel metabolite might be significant because analytical methods devised for zearalenone in grain cannot detect the conjugate but the conjugate retains the biological properties of the mycotoxin when ingested by animals.

Sensitive analysis of the mycotoxin zearalenone and its metabolites in biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography alpha

A method is described for the analysis of zearalenone and its metabolites, alpha- and beta-zearalenol, in small volumes (0.5-2.0 ml) of biological fluids including milk, blood, plasma, urine and bile, using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Isolation of the toxins from biological fluids was achieved using a series of pH-controlled solvent extractions. Detection limits for zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol were 1 ng/ml, and for beta-zearalenol ca. 5 ng/ml, both at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. In bile, however, the detection was ca. five times less sensitive owing to interfering substances. Recoveries at low ng/ml concentrations were highest from urine (87-94%) and plasma (85-93%), slightly lower from whole blood (78-88%) and milk (75-84%), and lowest from bile (66-77%).

Reproductive alterations in female C57BL/Crgl mice exposed neonatally to zearalenone, an estrogenic mycotoxin

Newborn female mice were injected daily for 5 days with 1 microgram zearalenone (Z, a weakly estrogenic mycotoxin present in cereal grains), resulting in ovary-dependent reproductive tract alterations at 8 months of age. Corpora lutea were absent from 25 of 34 (74%) Z-treated mice, indicating ovarian dysfunction. Fifty-six percent of Z-treated mice had dense collagen deposition in the uterine stroma and lacked uterine glands. Squamous metaplasia of the uterine luminal epithelium was found in 59% of Z-treated mice, and altered vaginal epithelium was found in 32% (2 mice had dysplastic lesions). Ovariectomized Z-treated mice were indistinguishable from ovariectomized controls.

Determination of ergosterol as a measure of fungal growth using Si 60 HPLC

In order to determine to fungal growth of Fusarium graminearum 480, a method was developed for the extraction and estimation of ergosterol, a sterol specific for fungi. This method includes the direct saponification of bound ergosterol to fungal mycelia followed by n-hexane extraction and quantification using. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-detection. This procedure proved to be superior compared with other methods, since the yield of ergosterol yields was higher (up to 40%). n-Hexane extracts contained minor impurities which interfered with the UV-detection and the retention time of the compound was halved using Si 60 HPLC. The protein and ergosterol contents in F. graminearum cultures increased proportionally over a 3-week incubation period. The fungal formation of the mycotoxin zearalenone started at a level of 50 mg/kg ergosterol and increased rapidly in the stationary phase of growth, which was characterized by decreasing rates of ergosterol formation.

Production of mycotoxins by Fusarium species isolated in Germany. 2. Time course of deoxynivalenol and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol formation by Fusarium graminearum in different liquid media

Several semisynthetic liquid media were examined for the large-scale production of deoxynivalenol (DON) und 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (AcDON) by Fusarium graminearum 183. Only in three of the eight media used could high toxin yields of DON and AcDON be detected. The maximum levels of DON in a medium according to Miller were 3 mg/l and of AcDON 32 mg/l. In glucose-yeast extract-peptone (GYEP) medium containing 1% glucose, the AcDON concentrations reached 33 mg/l and the DON yields were 19 mg/l. In a rice flour liquid medium, however, the mean levels of AcDON and DON increased to 170 mg/l and 9 mg/l, respectively. The maximum amounts observed were 480 mg/l for AcDON and 65 mg/l for DON. The addition of trifluoracetic acid sodium salt or malonic acid, which are suggested to cause an accumulation of acetyl-CoA by inhibiting enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, did not stimulate the toxin formation.

Risk assessment of the mycotoxin zearalenone

Trans-zearalenone, a resorcylic acid lactone, also known as F-2 toxin, is a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by numerous species of Fusarium. As a result zearalenone is found in a number of cereal crops and their derived food products. A closely related substance "zeranol" (zearalanol) is at present being used in the United States and Canada as an anabolic agent in beef cattle. Zearalenone has been implicated in numerous incidences of mycotoxicosis in farm animals, especially pigs. In this report the health risks to Canadians due to the presence of zearalenone in food products have been evaluated. The first part of the report deals with the physicochemical aspects, mycology, laboratory production, and natural occurrence in plant products and animal products of zearalenone. The stability of zearalenone in foods and feeds, the effects of food processing, and the removal from foods and feeds by physicochemical means are also discussed. From these data the daily exposure of Canadians to zearalenone from food consumption has been estimated to be in the range of 0.05-0.10 microgram/kg b.w./day (mean and 90th percentile of eaters, respectfully) for young children, the highest consumption group on a body weight basis. The second part of the report deals with the metabolic disposition of zearalenone as well as the available toxicity data base of zearalenone in laboratory animals, farm animals, and humans. Studies in various species (rodents, rabbits, pigs, monkeys) including man have shown that zearalenone has estrogenic and anabolic activity. Its major effects are on reproduction, including reproductive organs and their function, leading to hyperestrogenism. Zearalenone has been implicated in numerous incidences of hyperestrogenism in farm animals, especially pigs. For reproductive effects a no adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 0.06 mg/kg b.w./day was estimated for the pubertal pig, the most sensitive species tested. Important differences in the biotransformation of zearalenone were noted, with greater amounts of alpha-zearalenol, the more estrogenic metabolite, formed in man and the pig compared to rodents. In addition, the biological half-life of these substances was longer in man than in other species tested. The binding of zearalenone to estrogen receptors was approximately 20-fold lower than that seen with 17 beta-estradiol in several assays.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mass spectral investigations on trichothecene mycotoxins. I. Application of negative ion chemical ionization techniques for the simultaneous and accurate analysis of simple trichothecenes in picogram levels

A fast and sensitive gas chromatographic/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of several simple trichothecene mycotoxins and related molecules with good precision has been developed. The method consists of the conversion of the polar trichothecenes into their volatile and stable heptafluorobutyryl esters, followed by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis of the derivatives. The derivatives were ionized under chemical ionization conditions and the negative ions were monitored. The samples were screened for the presence of trichothecenes by monitoring one characteristic ion by selected ion monitoring for each analyte. The detected compounds were confirmed by monitoring 5-6 characteristic ions by selected ion monitoring whenever the amount of analyte present was insufficient to obtain a full scan negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrum. Two semi-synthetic trichothecenes, 4-deoxyverrucarol and 16-hydroxyverrucarol, were investigated and found to be adequate internal standards both for detection and quantification of these toxic compounds. Femtogram and low picogram (1-5 pg) quantities of these compounds could be detected and confirmed, respectively, by this procedure. A short clean-up procedure using Sep-Pak (silica gel) cartridges was developed and found to be applicable for the analysis of some real samples. Several spiked and real samples were analysed by this method, with excellent sensitivity and precision.

The coexistence of the Fusarium mycotoxins nivalenol, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in Korean cereals harvested in 1983

A survey for the occurrence of nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) in Korean cereals (totalling 53 samples) harvested in 1983, showed that 96%, 72% and 57% of the samples were contaminated with NIV, DON and ZEN, respectively. Average concentrations (micrograms/kg) in unpolished barley were 546 (NIV), 117 (DON) and 110 (ZEN), and those in polished barley were 130 (NIV) and 21 (DON). The ZEN levels were below the detection limit (1 microgram/kg). Malt, wheat and rye were also heavily contaminated with these Fusarium mycotoxins. The results of this survey show that Korean cereals harvested in 1983 were significantly contaminated with NIV, DON and ZEN, and the incidence and levels, where observed, are similar to those reported in Japan.

Naturally occurring oestrogens in foods--a review

This review is concerned with the presence of naturally occurring oestrogens in food plants and processed foods. Particular emphasis is placed on isoflavones and coumestans, both of which are true plant oestrogens, and the resorcylic acid lactones, more correctly classified as fungal oestrogens. The metabolism and mode of action of these compounds is discussed and their biological potencies, determined in both in vivo and in vitro studies, described. Current methods of analysis are indicated and the levels of these oestrogens in food plants, processed foods and foodstuffs are presented. Botanical, environmental or technological factors affecting the possible intake of plant and fungal oestrogens are mentioned and the hazard associated with such intake is compared with that originating from other dietary or medicinal hormonally active substances. Indications are given of the wide range of common food plants which have been reported to possess oestrogenic (uterotropic) activity, although it is emphasized that in general further work is necessary to substantiate these claims and to confirm the identities of the biologically active principles which have in some cases been proposed. In the concluding section suggestions are made for additional research considered important or necessary in this interesting area.

Toxic effects of fermented and unfermented sorghum meal diets naturally contaminated with mycotoxins

Male weanling rats fed diets containing fermented and unfermented tannin-free sorghum meals naturally contaminated with traces of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and an unidentified toxic substance developed anorexia. Mean changes in body weight over a 28-day feeding period for rats fed fermented and unfermented sorghum meal and ANCR casein diets of 8% protein were -2.8, +13.8, and +100.5 g, respectively. Rats fed fermented sorghum meal developed alopecia; hematological findings showed a decreased mean corpuscular volume, hypochromic microcytosis, balanced leukopenia, and hypoproteinuria . Histological findings showed testicular hypoplasia of the germinal epithelium and no mature spermatozoa. Necrosis and mineralization in Henle's loop were also observed. No damage was apparent to the liver, cerebellum, cerebrum, spleen, or adrenal glands.

Mycotoxins in cereal grain. Part IX. Zearalenone and Fusaria in wheat, barley, rye and corn kernels

Toxigenic Fusaria, producing zearalenone, appeared in 31% of cereal grain samples. However zearalenone was present only in 0.5% of 584 cereal samples assayed during 1979-1981 at level 0.2-1.2 mg/kg. Fungi able to form zearalenone were present mainly in grain collected from breeding stations. Fusarium culmorum was dominant among toxigenic isolates from domestic cereals and yield of zearalenone was up to 700 mg/kg.