AFLATREM, THE TREMORGENIC MYCOTOXIN FROM ASPERGILLUS-FLAVUS

The tremorgenic toxin isolated from strains of A. flavus was recently identified as an indole-mevalonate metabolite. The toxin, named aflatrem, had a remarkably similar structure to other tremorgenic toxins isolated from toxigenic Claviceps paspali Stevens et Hall cultures, C. paspali ergot and Penicillium paxilli Bainier. Aflatrem is produced by some sclerotiaforming aflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus and these strains may thus pose a multiple toxigenic threat. Several strains of A. flavus produced a tremorgenic toxin when grown on foodstuffs such as oats, millet, rice, potatos or corn. The purified toxin, when fed or injected i.p. in small quantities into mice caused several behavioral changes, including a pronounced trembling that sometimes persisted for 3 days. Larger doses caused the initial trembling to be replaced abruptly by convulsive seizures that frequently proved fatal. Guinea pigs and rats were also susceptible to oral or i.p. administration of the toxin.