Ochratoxin A

Synonyms

(-)-N-((5-Chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl)-3-phenylalanine; (R)-N-((5-Chloro-3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-1 H-2-benzopyran-7-yl)carbonyl)phenylalanine; Alanine, N-((5-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl)-3-phenyl-, (-)-; Antibiotic 9663; L-Phenylalanine, N-((5-chloro-3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-7-yl)carbonyl)-, (R)-; N-(((3R)-5-Chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl)-3-phenyl-L-alanine; Phenylalanine - ochratoxin A; [ChemIDplus] UN3462

Category

Mycotoxins

Description

Solid with a green fluorescence; [Merck Index] Faintly yellow powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as a research chemical; [HSDB] A toxic metabolite of Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus sulphureus, Aspergillus melleus, and Penicillium viridicatum molds. Ochratoxins have been found as natural contaminants on corn, peanuts, storage grains, cottonseed, and other decaying vegetables; [Merck Index] Human exposure occurs primarily by ingestion of contaminated grain and pork products; [IARC] Produced by Penicillium verrucosum, a common contaminant of barley; [Reference #2]

Comments

May be fatal by ingestion or inhalation; [CAMEO] May cause irritation; Causes injury to the kidneys and liver in high-dose animal studies; [MSDSonline] Causes renal tubular injury and liver damage in high-dose animal studies; Oral LD50 = 0.2 mg/kg for dogs and 59 mg/kg for mice; High levels in the diet are associated with nephropathy in humans and swine in Balkan countries (Balkan nephropathy); [Hayes, p. 644] Factory workers handling contaminated coffee, cocoa beans, spices, and other foods have elevated ochratoxin serum levels; [Reference #1] MAC-2 (considered to be carcinogenic for man because sufficient data from long-term animal studies or limited evidence from animal studies substantiated by evidence from epidemiological studies indicate that it can make a significant contribution to cancer risk); [MAK]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

3.31E-16 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Toxins, extracted from living sources, solid, n.o.s."

Reference Link #2

Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion

Yes

Possible (2b)

Anticipated human carcinogen

Other Information

No other related information on this agent was found.