LC-MS-MS Can Distinguish Between Toxic and Non-Toxic Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Plants

Several plants including medicinal plants and weeds that contaminate food crops contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA). In the case of medicinal plants not used regularly, a low level of PA can be accommodated, but because food is consumed over a long time the allowable levels must be much lower [1]. Maize and soybean farmers in South Africa suffer economic losses due to the presence of Crotalaria sphaerocarpa seed pods in crops by the implementation of current regulations [1]. Because many Crotalaria species contain toxic PAs, there is a limit on the quantity of seeds that are allowed in the grain. C. sphaerocarpa undoubtedly contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids but toxicity to animals could not be established in several unpublished trials.