Tissues and Milk Residues of Tansy Ragwort Alkloids

Abstract

There are more than 1,200 species of senecio in the world. Several of these species contain a varying number of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Certain molecular configurations of these alkaloids are hepatotoxic and are considered carcinogenic by some pathologists. Senecio jacobaea (tansy ragwort), a plant that contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids has been responsible for death losses of cattle and horses in California, Oregon and Washington. It has been suggested that pyrrolizidine alkaloids might be transferred into the milk of lactating dairy cattle and lactating dairy goats consuming contaminated pasture, hay, or silage. In addition, there was concern expressed of a possible public health threat to the human population, primarily from contaminated milk but also from tissue of meat consumed for food. Because of this concern, certain studies were undertaken at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in order to determine the validity of these particular concerns.