Evaluation of the toxicity and chemical alterations of deoxynivalenol degradation products under ozone treatment

Here, we studied the ozonolysis of deoxynivalenol (DON) in saturated aqueous ozone. We found that ozone can play an important role in the oxidation and degradation of DON. The reaction reached its peak within 5 min of treatment, and the degradation rate was approximately 70%. Toxicity analysis (CCK-8 analysis, ROS analysis, and apoptosis analysis) revealed that DON and saturated aqueous ozone treatments did not significantly change the toxicity of degradation products, and both could induce a decrease in the viability of A549 cells. The results of the metabolomics and cytotoxicity analysis were consistent. We used the Q Exactive Focus high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry system to identify degradation products. Among the four identified degradation products, only the epoxy groups at the C-12, C-13 positions of C15H20O9 were opened. Because the epoxy groups at the C-12, C-13 positions in most degradation products were not opened based on the toxicity mechanism of DON, the toxicity of DON was not significantly reduced.

Automated summary

The study found that ozone can effectively oxidize and degrade deoxynivalenol (DON) in saturated aqueous ozone, with a degradation rate of up to 70%. Toxicity analysis showed that the degradation products impacted the viability of A549 cells, but only a small portion of the identified degradation products resulted in reduced toxicity.