Zearalenone is primarily used in agricultural research to study its effects on crops and livestock, as it is a mycotoxin produced by certain fungi that can contaminate grains like corn, barley, and wheat. Researchers analyze its impact on animal health, particularly in livestock, where it can cause reproductive issues due to its estrogenic properties. It is also studied in the development of detoxification methods to reduce its presence in animal feed and food products. Additionally, zearalenone is used in laboratory settings to investigate its potential role in hormonal disruptions and to develop detection techniques for food safety monitoring.