Species differences in the metabolism of aflatoxin B

Abstract

The metabolism of aflatoxin B, in a number of animals was investigated. Aflatoxin B, is metabolized relatively more slowly in liver slices of sheep than in the mouse, goat, guinea-pig, rabbit and golden hamster. The rate of metabolism of the toxin by the 10,000g supernatant is faster than the metabolism by liver slices. This may be as a result of the substrate not penetrating the liver cells readily. Species differences exist in the in vitro metabolism of aflatoxin B, by hydroxylation and demethylation. The sheep and White Rock cockerel demethylate aflatoxin B, poorly but the dog and duck do not demethylate the toxin at all. Of the animals studied, the duck, mouse and White Rock cockerel do not produce aflatoxin M, at all. The sheep and dog produce aflatoxin M, in comparatively large amounts, while the rat, goat and golden hamster produce aflatoxin M, in smaller quantities