Bracken toxicity and soil mycotoxins
Schoental, R.
Veterinary Record 115(19): 500
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 6516185 Document Number: 241128
A synergic action between toxic constituents of bracken and mycotoxins produced by soil fungi such as Fusarium and Myrothecium is postulated. Translocation of the mycotoxins from the soil into the plant may occur, especially when rain follows a drought. Both the recently isolated nor-sesquiterpenoid glucoside (ptaquiloside or aquilide) and the trichothecene T-2 toxin have produced tumours in rats. As the dosage was 100 times less with the trichothecene, it is essential to ensure that ptaquiloside preparations for animal experiments are free of the toxin.