Mequindox (MEQ), a member of Quinoxaline 1, 4–di–N–oxides (QdNOs), has been applied in Scophthalmus maximus farming industry. Due to the severe toxic effects of QdNOs, the residue of MEQ and its metabolites in Scophthalmus maximus are food safety risk factors. In this work, metabolism of MEQ in Scophthalmus maximus in vivo was investigated. Eight metabolites were identified to be formed via hydrogenation reduction, desoxygenation, deacetylation, methyl mono–hydroxylation, and their combination reactions. Different from land farm animal with desoxygenation as major metabolic reaction, carbonyl reduction is the major metabolic reaction in Scophthalmus maximus. In addition, M8 (3–methylol–BDMEQ) was first discovered in aquatic organisms with methyl mono–hydroxylation as a novel metabolic reaction, and M7 (Deacetyl–4–DMEQ) was the first metabolite to be detected in an organism undergoing both N→O deoxygenation and deacetylation reactions. This work revealed metabolic reactions of MEQ in Scophthalmus maximus and provided the process to study this metabolism in other marine animals.

Postharvest fungal diseases occurring during transportation and storage of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains can lead to rotting and molding of different agricultural products and their associated products. Mycotoxins are hazardous secondary metabolites produced by fungi. Aflatoxins, Alternaria mycotoxins, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, and Zearalenone are the major mycotoxins that pose a serious threat to human health. In order to remove the contamination of these potential hazardous substances and ensure food safety, detoxification methods including physical, chemical, and biological methods of mycotoxins are summarized in this work. Specially, biological strategies become a hot spot with safety and high efficiency characteristics. In addition, technologies for adsorbing and decomposing fungal toxins through yeast, enzymes, fungi, and bacteria are proved effective to eliminate fungal toxins. This work will contribute for better understanding of recent progress and future challenges for detoxification strategies for mycotoxins in foods.