Advances in Food Mycology

16 Jens C. Frisvad et al.
3.9. Zearalenone
Zearalenone causes hyperoestrogenism in swine and possible
effects in humans have also been reported. Derivatives of zearalenone
have been used as growth promoters in livestock; however this
is now banned in European Union (Launay et al., 2004). The toxicity
of zearalenone and its derivatives have been reviewed recently
(Hagler et al., 2001).
Major sources. Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum are the most
pronounced producers of zearalenone and several derivatives. They
occur frequently in cereals all over the world. Recently, F. graminearum
has been divided into nine phylogenetic species (O’Donnell
et al., 2004); however in the present context this species concept will
not be used as a correlation to existing mycotoxicological literature is
impossible at this stage.
Minor sources. Under laboratory conditions Fusarium equiseti produces
a number of zearalenone derivatives in high amounts, but little
is known about production under natural conditions. F. crookwellense
also produces zearalenone.
4. PENICILLIUM TOXINS
4.1. Chaetoglobosins
The chaetoglobosins are toxic compounds that may be involved
in mycotoxicosis. They are produced by common food-borne
Penicillia and have been found to occur naturally (Andersen et al.,
2004).
Major sources. Penicillium expansum and P. discolor are major
sources of the chaetoglobosins. Both species cause spoilage in fruits
and vegetables, and the latter species also occurs on cheese (Frisvad
and Samson, 2004b).
Minor sources. Chaetomium globosum and P. marinum are probably
not of significance in foods.
4.2. Citreoviridin
Citreoviridin was reported as a cause of acute cardiac beriberi
(Ueno, 1974), but a more in depth toxicological evaluation of this
metabolite is needed. It has been associated with yellow rice disease,