What is Dihydrocitrinone? And Why Does the Toxin Zoomer Test for It?

Citrinin-derived mycotoxin metabolite

Dihydrocitrinone is a urinary breakdown product of the mycotoxin citrinin, produced when the body processes this fungal compound. Measuring it helps indicate recent exposure to citrinin-containing molds or contaminated food and provides context about how much mycotoxin burden the body is handling.

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Dihydrocitrinone

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About Dihydrocitrinone

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About Dihydrocitrinone

Overview and History

Dihydrocitrinone is a biotransformation product formed when the mycotoxin citrinin is processed and eliminated in urine. Citrinin is produced by several fungal genera, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Monascus, and dihydrocitrinone serves as a measurable marker of that exposure. Historically, dihydrocitrinone has been used in biomonitoring studies to estimate human and animal exposure to citrinin. Biologically it has no known protective function; its value is as an indicator that citrinin was absorbed and metabolized, making it useful for exposure assessment rather than for signaling normal physiology.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Higher urinary dihydrocitrinone levels generally indicate more recent or greater exposure to citrinin-producing molds or contaminated foods. Elevated levels can also reflect slower elimination due to individual differences in metabolism or timing of sample collection. Low or undetectable levels suggest little recent exposure or effective clearance, but timing, sample type, and lab sensitivity can affect results; interpretation is most accurate when considered alongside other mycotoxin markers and detoxification genetics in the full panel.

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Dihydrocitrinone is included in the Toxin Zoomer to quantify exposure to citrinin-related mycotoxins and place that exposure into the broader context of environmental toxic load. Paired with other mycotoxin measurements and detoxification gene analysis, it helps clinicians identify exposure patterns and individual clearance capacity to inform more targeted follow-up and monitoring.

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Dihydrocitrinone FAQs

What is Dihydrocitrinone and why is it important?

Dihydrocitrinone is the urinary breakdown product of the fungal mycotoxin citrinin. It acts as a measurable marker that citrinin was taken into the body and processed. Tracking this marker helps show whether you’ve had recent exposure to citrinin-producing molds or contaminated food, offering useful information about environmental mycotoxin burden.

What does it mean if my Dihydrocitrinone levels are low?

Low or undetectable dihydrocitrinone usually suggests little recent exposure to citrinin or efficient elimination by the body. It can also reflect when the sample was taken, rapid clearance, or limits of the laboratory method. Low levels are best interpreted with other mycotoxin measures and detox genetics for a complete exposure picture.

What does it mean if my Dihydrocitrinone levels are high?

Higher dihydrocitrinone levels typically point to more recent or greater exposure to citrinin-producing molds or contaminated foods. Elevated values may also reflect slower metabolic clearance in some individuals. Accurate interpretation requires clinical context, comparison with other toxicant results, and consideration of detoxification genetics.

Why is Dihydrocitrinone included in the Toxin Zoomer?

Measuring dihydrocitrinone helps detect citrinin-related mycotoxin exposure as part of the Toxin Zoomer’s mold/toxin domain. When combined with other mycotoxin assays and detoxification gene data, it helps clinicians distinguish exposure sources, assess burden, and understand individual clearance capacity for more precise follow-up.

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