Abstract

Biotransformation of the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 by the hepatic S-9 fraction prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats yielded a new metabolic product designated RLM-3. The metabolite was purified from the hepatic preparation using preparative HPLC. The structural analysis of RLM-3 was carried out using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C NMR. RLM-3 was identified as 4'-hydroxy T-2. The toxicity of RLM-3 in comparison to T-2 toxin and 3'-hydroxy T-2 was assessed using a rat skin bioassay technique. The metabolite 4'-hydroxy T-2 was shown to be deacylated at the C-4 position to yield 4'-hydroxy HT-2 when incubated with rat hepatic S-9 preparations.