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Zearalenone Reference Materials for Residue Analysis
Zearalenone High-Purity Reference Materials for Confident Compliance
Ensure precise quantification of zearalenone ZEN across food, feed, and environmental matrices with HPC Standards traceable reference materials. Manufactured to international quality requirements and supplied with comprehensive Certificates of Analysis, our ZEN standards, metabolites, and 13C-labelled analogues enable robust calibration, method validation, and routine QC in LC-MSMS and HPLC workflows. Rely on proven stability, defined uncertainties, and matrix-ready formats to meet EUCodex limits, support ISOIEC 17025 accreditation, and safeguard your data integrity. Need custom mixes or concentration ranges Our technical team delivers tailored solutions for your regulatory targets and throughput.
Product | Catalog No./ CAS No. | Quantity | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ISO 17034 Reference Material |  | 678040 | 1X5MG | Please log in. |
ISO 17034 Certified Reference Material Zearalenone solution |  | 678254 | 1X1ML | Please log in. |
ISO 17034 Certified Reference Material |  | 693436 | 1X5MG | Please log in. |
High-quality reference materials for accurate quantification of zearalenone (ZEN) and related metabolites in food, feed, and environmental matrices. Manufactured and quality-controlled to international standards for reliable compliance testing.
Overview
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal mycotoxin produced predominantly by Fusarium species (e.g., F. graminearum, F. culmorum) on cereals such as maize, wheat, barley, and oats. It exhibits strong estrogenic activity and is relevant to food safety, feed safety, and environmental monitoring.
ZEN is moderately heat-stable, may persist during processing, and often co-occurs with other Fusarium toxins. Its analytical determination requires robust, traceable calibration to ensure regulatory compliance.
Uses
ZEN is not intentionally used in industry; it is a naturally occurring contaminant. In laboratory settings, ZEN reference materials are used for calibration, method validation, quality control, and proficiency testing across LC-MS/MS and HPLC workflows.
Associated reference materials for key metabolites and isotopically labelled analogues support accurate quantification and recovery correction in complex matrices.
Regulatory
European Union: Maximum levels for zearalenone are established for cereals and cereal products, with stricter limits for processed foods and infant/young-child products. Risk assessment by EFSA supports a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.25 µg/kg bw/day.
Internationally, Codex and national authorities provide guidance or limits for ZEN in food and feed; requirements vary by jurisdiction. Laboratories should reference the latest applicable regulations and official methods.
Monitoring
Routine monitoring targets raw cereals, flour, bran, bakery products, maize products, animal feed, and derived ingredients. Seasonal and regional variability necessitates risk-based sampling plans.
Quality systems incorporate matrix-matched calibration, internal standards, and participation in proficiency testing to ensure ongoing data reliability.
Health Impact
ZEN exhibits estrogenic activity via binding to estrogen receptors, potentially affecting reproductive function. Risk assessments focus on endocrine effects, with sensitive populations including children and females of reproductive age.
The EFSA TDI of 0.25 µg/kg bw/day guides exposure assessments from dietary intake of contaminated cereals and derived products.
Human Toxicity
Acute toxicity is generally low; the principal concern is subchronic to chronic endocrine disruption. Reported effects include alterations in reproductive hormones and tissues. Co-exposure with other mycotoxins may modulate toxicity.
Occupational exposure during handling of concentrated materials requires appropriate controls to prevent dermal and inhalation contact.
Environmental Impact
ZEN is produced on crops pre- and post-harvest under conducive moisture and temperature conditions. It can persist in stored grains if conditions favor fungal growth.
Good agricultural and storage practices reduce fungal proliferation and subsequent mycotoxin formation, mitigating environmental and food-chain transfer.
Effects on Wildlife
Zen’s estrogenic activity can affect reproductive health in susceptible animal species. In livestock, pigs are considered particularly sensitive to ZEN exposure, with signs consistent with hyperestrogenism when fed contaminated feed.
Monitoring of feed and raw materials is essential to protect animal health and productivity.
Safety Measures
For laboratories: handle ZEN and solutions in fume hoods; use PPE including gloves, lab coat, and eye protection. Avoid aerosol generation and skin contact. Store reference materials according to certificate instructions (typically cool, dry, protected from light).
For supply chains: implement HACCP-based controls, rapid screening where appropriate, and confirmatory analysis with validated methods.
Sampling and Sample Preparation
Representative sampling is critical due to heterogeneous distribution in bulk commodities. Follow recognized sampling standards for cereals and feeds.
Common preparation includes milling/homogenization, solvent extraction (e.g., acetonitrile-water), cleanup via SPE or immunoaffinity columns, and dilution into LC-compatible solvents.
Analytical Methods
LC-MS/MS with isotopically labelled internal standards is the reference approach for selectivity, sensitivity, and matrix-effect correction. Typical workflows use MRM transitions for ZEN and metabolites.
HPLC with fluorescence detection is also applied, leveraging ZEN’s native fluorescence; method performance depends on cleanup and potential derivatization. Method validation should cover linearity, recovery, precision, LOQ, matrix effects, and uncertainty.
Metabolites and Related Analytes
Relevant targets include α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalanone, α-zearalanol, and β-zearalanol. Inclusion of these metabolites supports comprehensive exposure assessment and regulatory needs where applicable.
Isotopically labelled analogues (e.g., 13C-labelled ZEN and metabolites) enable accurate quantification across diverse matrices.
Quality and Traceability
HPC Standards provides traceable reference materials with detailed Certificates of Analysis, including purity characterization, assigned values with uncertainties, and stability/storage guidance.
Products are tested according to international quality requirements and meet high industrial standards to support accreditation (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025) and method standardization.
Regulation and Compliance Support
Our reference materials support compliance with EU maximum levels, official control methods, and internationally harmonized guidelines. They are suitable for use in method development, validation, routine QC, and external quality assessment.
Contact our technical team for matrix-matched solutions, custom mixtures, and tailored concentration ranges aligned with regulatory limits.
Analytical Standards and Availability
Available reference materials include neat solids and ready-to-use solutions for ZEN and key metabolites, as well as stable isotope-labelled derivatives for internal standardization.
Formats and concentrations are optimized for LC-MS/MS and HPLC workflows. Custom preparations and bulk supply for laboratories and manufacturers are available on request.
Applications
Food and feed testing laboratories, grain processors, pet food manufacturers, official control authorities, and environmental laboratories use our reference materials to ensure accurate quantification and regulatory compliance for zearalenone.
Typical matrices include raw cereals, cereal products, infant foods, compound feed, silage, and by-products.