Echinulin

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1988 Mar;54(3):830-1.

Eurotium spp. and echinulin in feed refused by swine.[Pubmed: 3377495]

METHODS AND RESULTS:
Feed refused by swine contained a high-propagule density of Eurotium chevalieri Mangin (anamorph, Aspergillus chevalieri (Mangin) Thom and Church), Eurotium amstelodami Mangin (anamorph, Aspergillus amstelodami (Mangin Thom and Church), and Aspergillus candidus Link. Echinulin (8 micrograms/g of feed) was detected in the feed. Isolates of E. chevalieri and E. amstelodami but not A. candidus produced Echinulin on rice or cracked corn.
CONCLUSIONS:
Mice refused to drink water containing 90 micrograms of Echinulin per ml. This is the first report of the alkaloid Echinulin in feed refused by swine.

Toxicol Lett. 1989 Sep;48(3):235-41.

Toxicity of echinulin from Aspergillus chevalieri in rabbits.[Pubmed: 2781591]

METHODS AND RESULTS:
Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with purified Echinulin, a product of Aspergillus chevalieri. After 2 h, the rabbits were bled and enzyme analyses were carried out on the supernates of liver homogenates and citrated plasma. Elevated levels of total plasma lactate dehydrogenase, cardiac derived isozyme, glutamic-oxaloacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activities in animals receiving toxin were observed. These levels were statistically significant compared to the vehicle control. A significant increase in liver lactate dehydrogenase of toxin-treated rabbits was also observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Light-microscopic examination of lung and liver showed a significant degree of damage. The increase in plasma enzyme levels is indicative of damage to these organs.