Masked trichothecene and zearalenone mycotoxins withstand digestion and absorption in the upper GI tract but are efficiently hydrolyzed by human gut microbiota in vitro

Abstract

Our results demonstrate that masked trichothecenes will reach the colon intact to be released as parent mycotoxins by gut microbiota, hence contributing to mycotoxin exposure. Masked zearalenone compounds are metabolized by gut microbiota and epithelial cells and the identity and toxicity of metabolites remain to be determined.