Synthesis and toxicity evaluation of aflatoxin P1

Abstract

Conversion of aflatoxin B1 to its demethylated derivative, aflatoxin P1, has been achieved by treatment of the parent substance with lithium t-butylmercaptide in hexamethyl phosphoramide for 2 hours at 75°C. A preliminary toxicologic evaluation in newborn mice showed aflatoxin P1 to cause some mortality at 150 mg/kg, whereas aflatoxin B1 had an LD5 0 of 9.5 mg/kg under comparable conditions. © 1973.