Disposition of 14C-derived residues in tissues of pigs fed radiolabelled fumonisin B1.

The uptake and distribution of radioactive material-derived residues were determined in tissues of growing pigs consuming 14C-labelled fumonisin B1 (FB1) in the diet. Animals were fed 3.0 mg (3.0 microCi) 14C-FB1/kg feed from days 1-12, followed by 2.0 mg (2.0 microCi) 14C-FB1/kg feed during days 13-24, followed by a 9-day withdrawal period where pigs received clean feed only. Of the tissues analysed, residues were found to accumulate only in liver and kidney. Radioactivity was detected at the first sampling time (day 3), and continued to increase until the 14C-toxin was removed from the diet. Peak tissue levels (dpm/g tissue +/- SD, N = 2) in liver and kidney were 347 +/- 28 and 146 +/- 14, respectively, on day 24, which were equivalent to about 160 and 65 ng FB1 and/or metabolites per g tissue, respectively. Once pigs were placed on clean feed, tissue levels declined rapidly; down to approximately 35% of peak levels after 3 days, and only marginally above detection limits (approximately 25 dpm/g) after 9 days. Delayed recovery of the radioactive material consumed indicated a persistence within the body of FB1-derived residues, which could be eliminated only upon removal of the contaminated diet.