Alphazearalenol

Alphazearalenol, commonly written as alpha-zearalenol (α-ZOL), is a mycotoxin and a reduced metabolite of zearalenone, a Fusarium-produced estrogenic mycotoxin. It is found in cereals and cereal-based feeds contaminated with Fusarium species such as Fusarium culmorum and Fusarium graminearum.

Formation and occurrence: α-Zearalenol can arise in contaminated grain as well as in biological systems through the enzymatic reduction of zearalenone. It co-occurs with zearalenone and other zearalenone metabolites, complicating exposure assessments.

Biological activity: α-Zearalenol binds to estrogen receptors and exerts estrogenic effects in animals. In many experimental settings its estrogenic activity is reported to be substantial, sometimes greater than that of zearalenone, though potency depends on species, tissue, and assay. Potential reproductive toxicity has been observed in livestock, including effects on ovarian development and fertility, at sufficient exposure.

Exposure and regulation: Humans are exposed mainly through diet, but data on human health effects are limited. Regulatory frameworks targeting zearalenone often address total estrogenic activity from zearalenone and its metabolites; alpha-zearalenol is typically included in total zearalenone measurements in many food-safety programs.

Analytical aspects: Detection commonly uses high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence or mass spectrometry after sample cleanup.

See also: Zearalenone; Zearalenol; Mycotoxins.