Table 1.
Summary of mycotoxin breakdown by insect metabolism.
| Insect | Mycotoxin (s) | Metabolites | Enzymes | Detoxification Mechanism | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Apis mellifera (Honeybee, human food) |
AFB1 a | -- | P450 b | -- | [18,19,20] |
|
Helicoverpa zea (Corn earworm, feed for chickens) |
AFB1 | AFP1 c | P450 CYP321A1 | Metabolic activity enhanced by phytochemicals (xanthotoxin, coumarin) | [19,21,22] |
|
Tenebrio molitor (Yellow mealworm, human food and animal feed) |
ZEN d | α-, β-ZEL e | -- | Metabolic degradation and rapid excretion No sulfonation occurs |
[7] |
| AFB1 | AFM1 f | P450 | Gut contents play a role in metabolic degradation Rapid excretion |
[23] | |
| DON g | 3-acetyl-DON NIV h |
Phase II enzymes SOD i GST j |
Acetylation by midgut and gut bacterial enzymes Detoxification of reactive oxygen species Rapid excretion |
[4,24,25] | |
| FB1 k | -- | -- | Immobilization within fat storages, excretion, or metabolic degradation | [26] | |
|
Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly, animal feed) |
AFB1 | AFL | P450 | Metabolic degradation Rapid excretion |
[2,23] |
| DON | -- | -- | Metabolic degradation by gut bacteria Rapid excretion |
[2,5] | |
| OTA l | -- | -- | Metabolic degradation and excretion | [2] | |
| ZEN | α-, β-ZEL | -- | Over 50% of ZEN converted to its metabolites Excretion |
[2] | |
|
Alphitobius diaperinus (Lesser mealworm, animal feed) |
AFB1 | AFL m AFM1 |
-- | Limited AFB1 metabolism Rapid excretion |
[2] |
| DON | -- | -- | Metabolic degradation and rapid excretion | ||
| OTA | -- | -- | Excretion | ||
| ZEN | α-, β-ZEL | -- | Limited ZEN metabolism Rapid excretion |
a AFB1—aflatoxin B1; b P450—cytochrome P450 monooxygenase; c AFP1—aflatoxin P1; d ZEN—zearalenone; e ZEL—zearalenol; f AFM1—aflatoxin M1; g DON—deoxynivalenol; h NIV—nivalenol; i SOD—superoxide dismutase; j GST—glutathione-S-transferase; k FB1—fumonisin B1; l OTA—ochratoxin A; m AFL—aflatoxicol.