Modification of zearalenone structure in model and natural conditions

Zearalenone is a mycotoxin widely occurring in cereals and animal feed, and it is associated with hyperestrogenism and other reprodutive disorders in animals. A new method of detoxication of feed- stuffs involves alkaline hydrolysis of toxic macrolactone (1) (as well as model compounds (2a, 2b)). The method caused modification of zearalenone structure under mild conditions and the toxin underwent irreversible hydrolysis with high efficiency.