Purification and Toxicity of Aflatoxin Gl.

Abstract

Summary A method for quantitative analysis of crude aflatoxin mixtures is described, using thin layer chromatography and absorption spectrometry. Highly purified aflatoxin G l has been prepared by thin layer chromatography and is a blue fluorescent compound, not, as previously reported, green fluorescent. The toxicity of the purified compound does not differ from that of the less pure compound containing a yellow impurity. Both aflatoxins Bl and Gl are fairly stable in aqueous solution in the dark, but undergo rapid decomposition in light (40% in 1 day; almost 100% after 9 days).