Aflatoxin B1 is the major analogue of a family of bisfuranocoumarin mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and related species. Aflatoxin B1 exhibits a distinctive UV spectrum and blue fluorescence. Aflatoxins are among the most potent mycotoxins known but are in fact 'pre-toxins', requiring metabolic activation to the toxic principle. Aflatoxins are found widely in nature in trace amounts, particularly in grains and nuts. The toxicity of these metabolites was first recognised in the 1950s and their structures elucidated in 1963. Aflatoxins have been extensively reviewed.
Aflatoxin B1 is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF and DMSO and has limited water solubility.
Aflatoxin B1 is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF and DMSO and has limited water solubility.
| References | Structures of aflatoxins B and G1. Asao T. et al. JACS 1965, 87, 882. Handbook of toxic fungal metabolites. Cole E. J. Academic Press, New York, 1981. Mutagenic activation of aflatoxin AFB1 by several forms of purified cytochrome P450. Ishii K. et al. Mutat. Res.1986, 174, 84. |
