Evaluation of Zearalenones and Their Metabolites in Chicken, Pig and Lamb Liver Samples

Zearalenone (ZON), zearalanone (ZAN) and their phase I metabolites: alpha-zearalenol (alpha-ZOL), beta-zearalenol (beta-ZOL), alpha-zearalalanol (alpha-ZAL) and beta-zearalalanol (beta-ZAL) are compounds with estrogenic activity that are metabolized and distributed by the circulatory system in animals and can access the food chain through meat products from livestock. Furthermore, biomonitoring of zearalenones in biological matrices can provide useful information to directly assess mycotoxin exposure; therefore, their metabolites may be suitable biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of ZON, ZAN and their metabolites in alternative biological matrices, such as liver, from three different animals: chicken, pig and lamb, in order to evaluate their exposure. A solid-liquid extraction procedure coupled to a GC-MS/MS analysis was performed. The results showed that 69% of the samples were contaminated with at least one mycotoxin or metabolite at varying levels. The highest value (max. 152.62 ng/g of beta-ZOL) observed, and the most contaminated livers (42%), were the chicken liver samples. However, pig liver samples presented a high incidence of ZAN (33%) and lamb liver samples presented a high incidence of alpha-ZOL (40%). The values indicate that there is exposure to these mycotoxins and, although the values are low (ranged to 0.11-152.6 ng/g for alpha-ZOL and beta-ZOL, respectively), analysis and continuous monitoring are necessary to avoid exceeding the regulatory limits and to control the presence of these mycotoxins in order to protect animal and human health.

Automated summary

This study investigated the presence of estrogenic compounds zearalenone (ZON), zearalanone (ZAN), and their metabolites in alternative biological matrices such as liver samples from chicken, pig, and lamb. The results showed that the samples were contaminated with these compounds at varying levels, indicating exposure to mycotoxins. Continuous analysis and monitoring are necessary to control the presence of these mycotoxins in order to protect animal and human health.