Henry M. Stahr

Cocklebur Toxicosis in Cattle Associated with the Consumption of Mature Xanthium Strumarium

Cockleburs (Xanthium spp.) are herbaceous annuals with worldwide distribution. Toxicoses are usually associated with the consumption of the seedlings in the cotyledon stage, which contain a high concentration of the toxic principle, carboxyatractyloside. The seeds are also known to contain the toxin, but it has long been assumed that the spiny capsule would deter their consumption. Six of 70 yearling calves died while being fed round bale hay composed predominately of foxtail and mature cocklebur plants with burs. Clinical signs ranged from acute death to hyperexcitability, blindness, tense musculature, and spastic gaits with heads held high and ears erect. Some symptomatic calves would stumble, fall to lateral recumbency, convulse, and later recover. Overall, the herd was very uneasy. Prominent gross lesions were ascites and a firm, pale liver with a mottled hemorrhagic pattern on cut surface. The rumen contained numerous intact burs and well-ruminated grass. Histological examination of the liver revealed marked centrolobular degeneration and necrosis with associated hemorrhage and congestion. Brain lesions were present. Plant and tissue samples were analyzed for carboxyatractyloside with various results. Samples of rumen contents, urine, and burs contained 100–200 ppm, 0.1–0.05 ppm, and 0.1 ppm, respectively. Based on the history, clinical signs, pathological lesions, and chemical analyses, cocklebur toxicosis associated with consumption of mature Xanthium strumarium in hay was confirmed.

Relationship of Mycotoxins to Swine Reproductive Failure

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Chromatography of trichothecene mycotoxins

Abstract Trichothecene mycotoxins occur in agricultural commodities and can cause problems from feed refusal to death in animals. This paper describes chromatographic methods for selective analysis for trichothecene mycotoxins. These methods include gas chromatography (GC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The trichothecene analysis methods by GC and TLC are shown to have a greater sensitivity than in HPLC for the underivatized mycotoxins.

Preliminary determination of mycotoxin binding to soil when leaching through soil with water

Abstract Mycotoxin-contaminated crops that are left in the field are potential contaminants of groundwater. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) distribution in soil-water systems and the comparative response of aflatoxin-contaminated corn and pure aflatoxin when leached through soil were investigated using columns. Each experiment was repeated once. Eluates and soil extracts were analyzed for AFB1 and its metabolites and FB1 along with different amounts of pure FB1 and water mixtures. AFB1 was detected in water samples from columns containing 10% and 20% silty clay loam soil and aflatoxin-contaminated corn mixtures and in the upper (top) 2.5 cm of soil from the 10 cm soil column. Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) was detected in eluates from the column containing 10% soil and aflatoxin-contaminated corn mixture and from the column containing aflatoxin-contaminated corn alone. No AFB2 was detected in eluates from the column containing 20% soil and aflatoxin-contaminated corn mixture. No detectable amount of aflatoxin was observed in eluates from the containing 50% silty clay loam soil and aflatoxin contaminated corn. No detectable amount of FB1 was observed in eluates or soil extracts, but FB1 was detected in the mixtures of pure FB1 and water.

Reverse Phase Thin Layer Chromatography Assay of Vitamin K in Bovine Liver

Abstract A case of hemorrhage of unknown origin was observed in cattle and liver samples were submitted to the Diagnostic Lab for assay of Vitamin K or possible coumarol. After evaluating normal phase and reverse phase Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates and different solvents, reverse phase TLC plate with indicator and methylene chloride:methanol 70:30 were chosen for direct method of detection and indication of Vitamin K. Gas Chromatography and Densitometry were used to guantitate the Vitamin K present in liver samples and confirmation of Vitamin K was done by Mass Spectroscopy.

Volatilization of trichothecene mycotoxins for analysis

Abstract T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), two trichothecene mycotoxins containing one hydroxy group, have been volatilized by induction heating, revolatilized, and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and/or GC mass spectroscopy. Seventy to eighty percent of DAS was recovered by this system; 60–70% T-2 toxin was recovered. When the hydroxy group is derivatized by acetate, 90–100% recovery is obtained. Other trichothecenes of the macrocyclic ester type (e.g., Roridan A) were also tried. Ten to twenty percent of the macrocyclic ester was obtained without derivatization.

Thermal Detoxification of Trichothecene Contaminated Commodities

The need for detoxification of commodities contaminated by trichothecene mycotoxins has been known to be of significance by Bamburg et al. (1971). The yellow rain controversy (Mirocha, 1983) has made the interest in trimethecenes world-wide. Stahr, et al. (1985) has shown that T-2 toxin and diacetoxysoirpenol can be volatilized and trapped for analysis. Thermally removing the toxins from commodities was attempted in this work.

Field Testing for Mycotoxins Using the Spectrochrom Myco-Quick Kit® and Others

The need for field testing for mycotoxins has been met with field test kits. This paper will describe the Spectrochrom, Ltd. Myco-Quick Kit® which allows testing for five mycotoxins: T-2 toxin, vomitoxin, zearalenone, ochratoxin and aflatoxins. It is based on the laboratory testing procedures (Stahr, 1982, Stahr et al, 1983) involving extraction, cleanup, partition, concentration, and planar chromatography. Visualization of the analytes is by fluorescent quenching with short wave ultraviolet fluorescence, with long wave ultraviolet fluorescence and color development with anisealdehyde spray. The spray also changes the color of the fluorescence of the aflatoxin and allows vomitoxin and T-2 toxin to be visualized as fluorescent bands under long wave ultraviolet light, for confirmation of identity.

The Effects of Soil and Poplar Trees on Aflatoxin B1

Mycotoxins which are associated with several crops are becoming more important to the public and environmental health workers because of their potential for causing health problems. Contaminated crops with high levels of aflatoxin are unfit for consumption by humans and animals and are usually disposed of by plowing under soil (Angle 1986; Angle and Wagner 1981; and Goldberg and Angle, 1985), thereby creating the potential for contamination of groundwater. Aflatoxin contamination of the water could be detrimental to the health and welfare of the population since aflatoxin B, is both toxic and carcinogenic (Angle, 1986, Goldberg and Angle, 1985).