The toxic compounds produced by molds are called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins have toxic effects on animals and humans. The term mycotoxin is derived from the Greek word for fungus and poison. However, not all molds produce mycotoxins. It is not possible to say that they produce mycotoxins based on the appearance of molds. In addition, some foodstuffs may contain mycotoxins, although they do not carry mold.

Zearalenone, a species of mycotoxin, is synthesized by fungi of the genus fusarium, a mold genus found all over the world. It is not a direct toxin and more like hormones. Problems occur in the reproductive systems of animals fed with zearalenone contaminated feeds.

The permissible limit values ​​for zearalenone are shown in the annexes of the Turkish Food Codex Contaminants Regulation published by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. Accordingly, the allowable amount of zearalenone in various foodstuffs in μg / kg is as follows:

• Unprocessed cereals (excluding maize): 100
• Raw maize (excluding wet grinding): 350
• Cereals, cereal flours, bran and germ (offered directly to human consumption): 75
• Refined corn oil: 400
• Bread (including light bakery products), pastry products, biscuits, cereal cookies, breakfast cereals (excluding corn cookies and corn-based breakfast cereals): 50
• Corn, corn snacks and corn-based breakfast cereals for direct human consumption: 100

In advanced laboratories, studies for the determination of zearalenone are carried out within the scope of mycotoxin analysis. In these studies, high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC method) or liquid chromatography - mass - mass spectrometry method (LC-MS / MS method) is applied. Some of the standards considered during these studies are:

 

• TS EN 16877 Animal feeds - Sampling and analysis methods - Determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in LC-MS feeding materials and compound feed
• TS ISO 6870 Determination of qualitative zearalenone content in animal feed
• TS EN 15792 Animal feeds - Determination of zearalenone in animal feed - High performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection and immunoaffinity column cleaning