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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345038
Title: A screen for swainsonine among South American Astragalus species

Author
item Cook, Daniel
item Gardner, Dale
item MARTINEZ, AGUSTIN - National Institute Of Agricultural Technology(INTA)
item ROBLES, CARLOS - National Institute Of Agricultural Technology(INTA)
item Pfister, James

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2017
Publication Date: 9/28/2018
Citation: Cook, D., Gardner, D.R., Martinez, A., Robles, C., Pfister, J.A. 2018. A screen for swainsonine among South American Astragalus species. Toxicon. 139:54-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.09.014.

Interpretive Summary: Swainsonine is a toxic alkaloid found in several plant genera worldwide, and causes poisoning in livestock grazing these plants. Recently, a strong correlation was reported between the occurrence of swainsonine and species that share common morphological features and phylogenetic relatedness among several swainsonine-containing North American Astragalus species. Several of these species are phylogenetically related to a group of South American Astragalus species not known to contain swainsonine. The objective of this study was to screen these South American species as well as several others for the toxin swainsonine. Swainsonine was detected in 16 of 30 Astragalus species using liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Information in regard to the swainsonine content of these species may provide important information on the toxic risk of these species and may be a valuable reference guide for diagnosticians and land managers.

Technical Abstract: Swainsonine is a toxic alkaloid found in several plant genera worldwide, and causes severe toxicosis in livestock grazing these plants, leading to condition characterized by neurological symptoms, altered behavior, depression, weight loss, and death. Decreased libido and infertility have also been reported. Recently, a strong correlation was reported between the occurrence of swainsonine and species that share common morphological features and phylogenetic relatedness among several swainsonine-containing North American Astragalus species. Several of these species are phylogenetically related to a group of South American Astragalus species not known to contain swainsonine. The objective of this study was to screen these South American species as well as several others for the toxin swainsonine. Swainsonine was detected in 16 of 30 Astragalus species using liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Information in regard to the swainsonine content of these species may provide important information on the toxic risk of these species and may be a valuable reference guide for diagnosticians and land managers.