In vitro degradation of zearalenone by Bacillus subtilis.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogen produced by many Fusarium species in cereals and other plants, and is frequently implicated in safety of foods and feeds. A ZEN-degrading microorganism has been isolated and identified as a Bacillus subtilis subspecies. It degraded 99% ZEN (1 mg kg(-1)) in liquid medium after 24 h and more than 95% of ZEN (0.25 mg kg(-1)) could be degraded after 48 h in a solid-state fermentation. This isolate can thus be used to decontaminate raw materials, like grains, to reduce the mycotoxin concentration.