Exploring the potent zearalenone‐degrading abilities of Bacillus subtilis strain ZEND ‐1: insights into biodegradation mechanisms and environmental applications

Abstract BACKGROUND Zearalenone (ZEN), a global prevalent mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, is widely contaminated in cereal grains, feedstuff, and their processed products. It exhibits strong estrogenic activity, which can induce reproductive disorders, immunotoxicity, and metabolic abnormalities in humans and animals, thereby endangering public health security. RESULTS This study screened a microorganism ZEND‐1 using cyclopentanone and ZEN as carbon sources, identified as Bacillus subtilis via 16S rDNA sequencing. ZEND‐1 effectively removed ZEN. Between 27 and 42 °C and pH 6–9, its degrading rate exceeded 80%. Under optimum conditions (pH 7, 32 °C, 160 rpm min −1 for 36 h), it reached 82.5% for 10 g mL −1 ZEN, and 90.1% at 48 h. When initial bacterial concentration was 6 × 108 CFU mL −1 , the efficiency was 81.3%. The culture supernatant had significant scavenging efficacy (83.2%), unlike protease K‐treated sample (5.7%). Cell‐breaking residue and inactivated bacterium had lower removal rates (38.7% and 45.7%, respectively). High‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry showed ZEND‐1 converted ZEN into zearalenol and M1 via reduction, hydrolyzation, and decarboxylation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that bacteria absorb ZEN through alicyclic COC and anhydride CO. CONCLUSION This study enriches the resource library of ZEN‐degrading microorganisms, clarifies the key mechanism of ZEND‐1 in ZEN biodegradation, and provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of microbial agents for ZEN detoxification and their practical application in food and feed industries. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.