ABSTRACT
A mycotoxin produced by Fusarium tricinctum, F. gibbosum, F. roseum, and three subspecies of the latter, F. roseum culmorum, F. roseum equiseti, and F. roseum graminearum. In animals, it has been shown to possess oestrogenic and anabolic properties. The production of zearalenone by F. roseum required alternating high (24 to 27°C) and low (12 to 14°C) temperatures. The lower temperature is necessary for the induction of the biosynthetic enzyme for zearalenone, whereas the higher temperature is important in the proceeding of the biosynthesis. Food types involved in the contamination of zearalenone include maize, wheat, flour, and milk.
