Detection of resorcyclic acid lactones in hair of cattle fed corn contaminated with Fusarium spp. toxins and implanted with Zeranol

Nonsteroidal resorcyclic acid lactones (RALs) include compounds such as Zearalenone (ZEN), which is produced by Fusarium spp. fungi, α-zearalenol (α-ZEL) and β-zearalenol (β-ZEL), zearalanone (ZAN), and α- and β-zearalanol (Zeranol and taleranol), which exhibit hormonal activity. Zeranol, whether naturally occurring or synthetically produced, acts as an anabolic agent and is banned in some countries due to potential health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the presence and persistence of RALs in the hair of cattle fed with Fusarium spp. toxins contaminated corn (A), implanted with Zeranol (B) and both fed contaminated corn and implanted with Zeranol (C), to determine whether hair could serve as a matrix to distinguish natural contamination from illegal growth promoter use. It was also tested by the application of the mathematical equation developed by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Growth Promoters (EURL). Twenty-four crossbred Zebu cattle were allocated into three treatment groups and monitored over time. Hair samples were analyzed using LC–MS/MS. RALs were not observed on day 0 (control groups). From day 2 onward ZEN, α-ZEL, β-ZEL, ZAN and Taleranol were not detected or recorded in low concentrations. Zeranol were detected in higher concentrations than the other RALs and the highest values were 17.2 μg kg −1 in group A, 28.35 μg kg −1 in group B and 42.88 μg kg −1 in group C, all recorded on day 2. It remained detectable up to 120 days. It was concluded that RALs may be detected in bovine hair. However, the EURL equation, developed for urine samples, was not able to distinguish between Zeranol abuse and dietary exposure to Fusarium spp. toxins.