Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens

Abstract

Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.

Zearalenone and Its Metabolites—General Overview, Occurrence, and Toxicity

“…In other organisms, ZEN and its metabolites have a short half-life of less than 24 h [ 93 ] and are mainly excreted in the bile [ 22 , 70 ], feces [ 3 , 10 , 22 ], and urine [ 3 , 9 , 22 ] after 72 h [ 3 ]. Metabolism includes Phase I of the reduction reaction and Phase II of the glucuronidation or sulfonation reaction [ 12 ]. Metabolism of phase I reduce keto group at C-6′ resulting α-ZEL or β-ZEL.…”

“…The structure of ZEN is similar to that of naturally occurring estrogens such as estradiol, estrone, estriol [ 10 ], 7β-estradiol [ 11 ], and 17-β-estradiol [ 12 ]. It has a molar mass of 318.364 g/mol and is a weakly polar compound in the form of white crystals, with blue-green fluorescence at 360 nm excitation and green fluorescence at 260 nm UV excitation [ 13 ].…”

Impact of Fusarium-Derived Mycoestrogens on Female Reproduction: A Systematic Review

“…The ability of ZEN and its metabolites to bind to estrogen receptors earned them their designation as ‘mycoestrogens’. Although some literature suggests that other mycotoxins (e.g., alternariol) may act as mycoestrogens, for the purpose of the current review, we use the term mycoestrogen to refer solely to ZEN, zeranol, and their metabolites [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Mycotoxin Exposure and Related Diseases

“…The risk assessment of human exposure to mycotoxins is also considered, applying different approaches for the general population [18] or to specific populations such as children [19] or swine production workers [6]. Regarding these studies, human biomonitoring strategies, as a direct measure of internal exposure, are considered [6,18]. The exposure to mycoestrogens, namely zearalenone (ZEN) and alternariol, was estimated through data modeling, assessing the burden regarding endocrine disruption [18].…”

“…Regarding these studies, human biomonitoring strategies, as a direct measure of internal exposure, are considered [6,18]. The exposure to mycoestrogens, namely zearalenone (ZEN) and alternariol, was estimated through data modeling, assessing the burden regarding endocrine disruption [18]. The workplace environment also represents an important exposure source to mycotoxins, namely, in swine production [6].…”