Studies on the Poisonous Substance from a Strain of <i>Penicillium</i> (Hori-Yamamoto Strain). II

Abstract

The previous paper described that the cause of the mass deaths of over 100 heads of milking cows in Kobe, Osaka, and Mie pref. was due to the toxic substance produced by the metabolism of a fungus, one of the Penicillium sp., which had adhered to the dried malt feed. It was observed that this toxic substance is produced only in a medium containing both sugar and proteins. This toxic substance is extracted and purified by ether, corresponds to formula C7H6O4, and its potency is 0.5mg./20g. mouse by intraperitoneal injection. Further investigations revealed that this toxic substance is identical with patulin, clavacin, claviformin, expansine, and penicidin, reported by Raistrick, Engel, Woodward, et al. The chemical structure proposed by Woodward, et al. seems to need further examination because of the infrared spectral values and the lack of optical activity.