Abstract:

Zearalenone is a toxic fungal secondary metabolite, and is one of the mycotoxins that can contaminate foods
widely. It not only has reproductive toxicity, but also has cytotoxicity, immune toxicity and carcinogenic effects. Even
though physical and chemical treatments are commonly used to control zearalenone, their application is limited because of
their disadvantages. Controlling zearalenone in cereals with antagonistic yeasts has represented a promising future. In this
article, we present the progress in controlling zearalenone with antagonistic yeast, including the effect of yeast cell wall
adsorption on zearalenone and the mechanisms of zearalenone degradation by antagonistic yeasts, and discuss the interaction
and its effect on the biocontrol activity against food pollution.

Key words: antagonistic yeasts, zearalenone, adsorption, degradation