Section 1 - CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME

OCHRATOXIN B

NFPA

PRODUCT USE

The ochratoxins constitute a group of closely linked derivatives of isocoumarine linked to
L- phenylalanine and are classified according to biosynthetic origin as " pentaketides"
within the group of polyketides. Naturally occurring mycotoxins (phytotoxins) produced by
Aspergillus ochraceus, A. sulphureus, A. meleus, Penicillium viridicatum. In colder
climates, ochratoxins are produced by Penicillium strains, whilst in tropical and
subtropical regions, they are produced by Aspergillus. As these molds occur widely, the
toxin has been found as a natural contaminant on corn, peanuts, storage grains, cottonseed
and other decaying vegetation. Residues of ochratoxin have been detected in samples of
animals slaughter immediately after consuming contaminated feed. It has been detected at
levels of 10- 920 ug/kg in sausage, ham and bacon samples. Residues of ochratoxin are not
generally found in ruminants because ochratoxin is cleaved in the fore- stomachs by
protozoan and bacterial enzymes to the non- toxic ochratoxin alpha. In some calves
however, ochratoxin A has been found at low levels in the kidneys indicating that the
calves are not yet functioning as ruminants.

SYNONYMS

C20-H19-N-O6, C20-H19-N-O6, N-((8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl)-3-
phenylalanine, N-((8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-7-isochromanyl)carbonyl)-3-phenylalanine,
"(R)-N-((3, 4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-7-
yl)carboxy)phenylalanine", "(R)-N-((3, 4-dihydro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-oxo-1H-2-benzopyran-
7-yl)carboxy)phenylalanine", "pentaketide/ polyketide/ mycotoxin/ phytotoxin"

Section 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

CANADIAN WHMIS SYMBOLS

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

RISK

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS

SWALLOWED

  Although ingestion is not thought to produce harmful effects, the material may still be damaging to the health of the individual following ingestion, especially where pre-  existing organ (e.g. liver, kidney) damage is evident. Present definitions of harmful or toxic substances are generally based on doses producing mortality (death) rather than those producing morbidity (disease, ill-health). Gastrointestinal tract discomfort may produce nausea and vomiting. In an occupational setting however, ingestion of insignificant quantities is not thought to be cause for concern.  

EYE

  Although the material is not thought to be an irritant, direct contact with the eye may produce transient discomfort characterized by tearing or conjunctival redness (as with windburn).  

SKIN

  The material is not thought to produce adverse health effects or skin irritation following contact (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless, good hygiene practice requires that exposure be kept to a minimum and that suitable gloves be used in an occupational setting.  Open cuts, abraded or irritated skin should not be exposed to this material.  Toxic effects may result from skin absorption.  

INHALED

  Inhalation may produce severe health damage*.  The material is not thought to produce respiratory irritation (as classified using animal models). Nevertheless inhalation of the material, especially for prolonged periods, may produce respiratory discomfort and occasionally, distress.  

CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECTS

  Principal routes of exposure are usually by skin contact and inhalation of generated dust.  The incidence of and mortality from urothelial urinary tract tumours have  been correlated with geographical distribution of Balkan endemic  nephropathy in Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. A relatively high frequency of  contamination of cereals and bread with ochratoxin A has been reported in  an area of Yugoslavia where Balkan endemic nephropathy is present.  Balkan endemic nephropathy is a chronic disease that predominantly affects  women and progresses slowly up to death. Autopsy shows that kidneys are  notably reduced in size. The histological lesions are interstitial  fibrosis, tubular degeneration and hyalization of glomeruli in the more  superficial part of the cortex.  One study revealed the presence of ochratoxin A in the serum of significant  number of the inhabitants of 2 villages (6.6% of 639 samples taken) from  the area in which the disease occurred. A similar study conducted in Poland  revealed similar results whilst a study conducted in the former Federal  Republic of Germany showed 56.6% of serum samples contained ochratoxin A.  When administered by gavage, ochratoxin A substantially increased the  incidence of uncommon cell carcinomas of the kidney in male and female  rats and also increased the incidence and multiplicity of the mammary  glands in female rats. When introduced into the diet, renal adenomas and  carcinomas were observed in male mice and some hepatocellular carcinomas  were observed in female mice In another study dietary ochratoxin A induced  hepatomas and renal cell tumors in male mice.  Intraperitoneal injection of pregnant mice with ochratoxin A resulted in  increased prenatal mortality, decreased foetal weight and various foetal  malformations, including exencephaly and anomalies of the eyes, face,  digits and tail. Subcutaneous administration to rats on gestation days  5-7 resulted in a high number of malformations including hydroencephaly,  omphalocele and anophthalmia as well as a shift in the position of the  oesophagus. In a further study low levels of dietary protein were shown to  enhance the teratogenic potential of ochratoxin A in the rat.