Projects
19: Environmental exposure to estrogenic mycotoxins.
Estrogenic mycotoxins in the environment.
Fungi on crops produce mycotoxins. They are found in food and feed and pose a threat to human and animal health. Certain mycotoxins act as endocrine disruptors and may enter the environment via contaminated host plants. This is where the extent and effects of this hitherto unknown exposure will be studied.
Bucheli Thomas, Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Agrarökologie und Landbau (FAL), Zürich
e-mail: thomas.bucheli@fal.admin.ch
Background
Fungi of the genus Fusarium infect cereals such as corn and wheat und produce toxic metabolites, so-called mycotoxins. A worldwide increase in Fusarium infection and mycotoxin contamination has been observed. Some Fusarium fungi also produce zearalenone (ZON) and similar metabolites. These compounds are potent natural estrogens. Food and feed products are frequently analyzed for ZON and other mycotoxins. However, it is likely that mycotoxins such as ZON are also introduced into the environment. Rain may wash them off from plants infected with fungi. Initial measurements in effluent from Italian wastewater treatment plants yielded ZON concentrations similar to those of natural estrogenic steroids. These compounds may therefore contribute substantially to the total burden of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the aquatic environment.
Aim
This project will identify major pathways of estrogenic mycotoxin input into the environment. The emitted burden will be quantified and its ecotoxicological significance evaluated. To reduce environmental exposure to mycotoxins in future, the effect of different cereal cultivation techniques on Fusarium infection will be investigated and recommendations for agricultural practice will be established.
Significance
Until now, the global problem of fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination of crops has mainly been looked at from the aspect of food safety. This project investigates for the first time the concomitant environmental safety aspects. It contributes to the further identification of the chemical mixture present in our waters and the correct assignment of observed estrogenic effects.