Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Alternariol

Alternariol is a toxic metabolite of Alternaria fungi. It is an important contaminant in cereals and fruits. Alternariol exhibits antifungal and phytotoxic activity. It is reported to inhibit cholinesterase enzymes. It is also a mycoestrogen.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
305 w
Citations
5
Source

Alternariol
source ↗
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3,7,9-Trihydroxy-1-methyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one
Other names
3,7,9-Trihydroxy-1-methyl-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.164.145
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C14H10O5/c1-6-2-7(15)5-11-12(6)9-3-8(16)4-10(17)13(9)14(18)19-11/h2-5,15-17H,1H3 checkY
    Key: CEBXXEKPIIDJHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C14H10O5/c1-6-2-7(15)5-11-12(6)9-3-8(16)4-10(17)13(9)14(18)19-11/h2-5,15-17H,1H3
    Key: CEBXXEKPIIDJHL-UHFFFAOYAX
  • CC1=CC(=CC2=C1C3=CC(=CC(=C3C(=O)O2)O)O)O
  • Cc1cc(cc2c1c3cc(cc(c3c(=O)o2)O)O)O
Properties
C14H10O5
Molar mass 258.229 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Alternariol (commonly abbreviated as AOH) is a toxic metabolite of Alternaria fungi.1 It is an important contaminant in cereals and fruits.2 Alternariol exhibits antifungal and phytotoxic activity. It is reported to inhibit cholinesterase enzymes.3 It is also a mycoestrogen.

A 2017 in vitro assay study reported alternariol to be a full androgen agonist.4

The acute toxicity of AOH and AME is low, but in vitro the substances show a strong mutagenic and teratogenic effect. The substances are associated with the development of esophageal cancer.5

References

References

  1. Davis VM, Stack ME (1 October 1994). "Evaluation of alternariol and alternariol methyl ether for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium". Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60 (10): 3901–2. Bibcode:1994ApEnM..60.3901D. doi:10.1128/AEM.60.10.3901-3902.1994. PMC 201908. PMID 7986060.
  2. Brugger EM, Wagner J, Schumacher DM, et al. (2006). "Mutagenicity of the mycotoxin alternariol in cultured mammalian cells". Toxicol. Lett. 164 (3): 221–30. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2006.01.001. PMID 16464542.
  3. Alternariol product page from Fermentek
  4. Stypuła-Trębas S, Minta M, Radko L, Jedziniak P, Posyniak A (2017). "Nonsteroidal mycotoxin alternariol is a full androgen agonist in the yeast reporter androgen bioassay". Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. 55: 208–211. Bibcode:2017EnvTP..55..208S. doi:10.1016/j.etap.2017.08.036. ISSN 1382-6689. PMID 28910742.
  5. Saleh I, Zeidan R, Abu-Dieyeh M (2024). "The characteristics, occurrence, and toxicological effects of alternariol: a mycotoxin". Arch Toxicol. 98 (6): 1659–1683. Bibcode:2024ArTox..98.1659S. doi:10.1007/s00204-024-03743-0. hdl:10576/56642. PMC 11106155. PMID 38662238.