Luteoskyrin toxicity

[unigirl]

Why is luteoskyrin toxic?

[webbo3]

never heard of it but this may help.

http://www.answers.com/topic/luteoskyrin

or this.

http://www.google.co....rch&meta=&aq=null&oq=


Dave.

[theprof]

Luteoskyrin is a pigment isolated from Penicillium islandicum. There are a number of similar anthroquinones in P. Islandicum including islandicin, rugulosin, rubroskyrin and erythroskyrine. All of these compounds are potent hepatotoxins and have been demonstrated to be carcinogenic in mice. As far as luteoskyrin is concerned, about 50mg/kg in the diet is sufficient to cause liver tumours, cirrhosis and atrophy.
Luteoskyrin, rugulosin and rubroskyrin are mutagenic. They inhibit replication, transcription and DNA repair in bacteria, yeast and animal cells. In addition, they form chelate compounds with nucleic acids. Enantiomers of some compounds vary in toxicity.
In humans, luteoskyrin is toxic by ingestion via intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous route. Survival is likely following oral ingestion from a purely toxic standpoint. Nevertheless, there have been reports of human mutations occurring some years after oral ingestion.

(continued)

[theprof]

As far as detection is concerned, luteoskyrin is difficult to detect with certainty in crude fractions. Luteoskyrin does fluoresce under UV light and is reasonably characteristic but it’s not definitive as the presence of other pigments in the crude mixture can lead to confusion. Monoclonal antibodies have been raised against P. islandicum and incorporated into ELISA methods and dipstick immunoassays to detect the mould in commodities such as naturally contaminated rice grains. TLC on 0.1N oxalic acid impregnated silica gel plates had a detection limit (by fluorescence) of about 500 micrograms luteoskyrin/kg rice. UV-visible diode array LC of luteoskyrin was included in a study of almost 200 standard mycotoxins, but there has been no definitive application of LC to analysis of agricultural products for luteoskyrin. Antimicrobial assays may be conducted using various techniques with Bacillus megaterium, in which growth is potently inhibited by luteoskyrin. All in all, TLC plus an antimicrobial assay still remains the best method of detection.
Glutinous rice is one of the best substrates for P.islandicum but it’s as well to remember that this species is common storage mould. Over the years its been detected in curry powder, rice, flour, semolina and bread etc. All the same, the toxin itself has not to date been detected as a contaminant in these products.

[heathfield]

Hey, Prof! Long time no see!

[theprof]

Hi heathfield. I'm still about!

[unigirl]

That was just what i needed prof. Thanks very much.

[minesapint]

Are you still notable The Most Notable Professor?

[minesapint]

I like it!