title: Ptaquiloside in bracken spores from Britain.
abstract: Secondary metabolites from bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) are suspected of causing cancer in humans. The main carcinogen is the highly water-soluble norsesquiterpene glucoside ptaquiloside, which may be ingested by humans through food, e.g. via contaminated water, meat or milk. It has been postulated that carcinogens could also be ingested through breathing air containing bracken spores. Ptaquiloside has not previously been identified in bracken spores. The aim of the study was to determine whether ptaquiloside is present in bracken spores, and if so, to estimate its content in a collection of spores from Britain. Ptaquiloside was present in all samples, with a maximum of 29 μg g(-1), which is very low compared to other parts of the fern. Considering the low abundance of spores in breathing air under normal conditions, this exposure route is likely to be secondary to milk or drinking water.
authors.affiliation: The Graduate School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Bülowsvej 17, DK1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Electronic address: LHR@LIFE.KU.DK.
authors.forename: Lars Holm
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.affiliation: National Food Institute, The Technical University of Denmark, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK2860 Søborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, G554 Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sheffield
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D007189:Indans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D032498:Pteridium / Q000502:physiology*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013170:Spores / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D007189:Indans; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C043680:ptaquiloside