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Ptaquiloside in bracken spores from Britain
Lars Holm Rasmussen1, Bjørn Schmidt2, Elizabeth Sheffield3
1The Graduate School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 17, DK1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Chemosphere
|November 29, 2012
Summary
Ptaquiloside, a carcinogen found in bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), was detected in its spores. While present, the low spore concentration suggests inhalation is a minor exposure route compared to contaminated food or water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Botany
Background:
- Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) contains secondary metabolites suspected of human carcinogenicity.
- Ptaquiloside, a potent norsesquiterpene glucoside, is the primary identified carcinogen, posing risks through contaminated food and water.
- The potential for carcinogen ingestion via airborne bracken fern spores has been theorized but not previously investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of ptaquiloside in bracken fern spores.
- To quantify the concentration of ptaquiloside within collected bracken fern spore samples.
- To assess the significance of spore inhalation as an exposure pathway for ptaquiloside.
Main Methods:
- Collection of bracken fern spores from various locations in Britain.
- Chemical analysis to detect and quantify ptaquiloside in the spore samples.
- Comparison of ptaquiloside levels in spores to those in other parts of the fern.
Main Results:
- Ptaquiloside was identified in all analyzed bracken fern spore samples.
- The maximum concentration of ptaquiloside found in spores was 29 μg g(-1).
- Ptaquiloside levels in spores were significantly lower than in other bracken fern tissues.
Conclusions:
- Bracken fern spores contain the carcinogen ptaquiloside, albeit in low concentrations.
- Inhalation of bracken fern spores is likely a secondary exposure route for ptaquiloside.
- Consumption of contaminated food and water remains the primary concern for ptaquiloside exposure.
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