Metabolism of zearalenone by Fusarium roseum.

Twenty products associated with the metabolism of zearalenone by Fusarium roseum were analyzed with respect to time and culture conditions. By statistical analysis a set of six metabolites possibly related to zearalenone were selected. These products were characterized by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry and other methods. The chemical structures of these six confirmed the statistical relationships, and evidence for the formation of these materials from zearalenone is presented. A suggested scheme of metabolism of zearalenone by F. roseum includes the formation of the two isomers of 8'-hydroxyzearalenone, 6',8'-dihydroxyzearalene, 6-(carboxypentyl)-beta-resorcyclic acid, and phenylacetic acid derivatives.