International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - Summaries & Evaluations
CITRININ
VOL.: 40 (1986) (p. 67)
CAS No.: 518-75-2
Chem. Abstr. Name: (3R-trans)-4,6-Dihydro-8-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethyl-6-
oxo-3H-2-benzopyran-
7-carboxylic acid
5. Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation
5.1 Exposure
Citrinin is produced by various Penicillium and Aspergillus species
that can contaminate foodstuffs, and has been found in some cereals
and fruits and peanuts. Thus, human exposure can occur by ingestion of
such contaminated products.
5.2 Experimental data
Citrinin was adequately tested for carcinogenicity in one experiment
in one strain of male rats by oral administration in the diet; it
produced renal tumours. In another experiment in rats, citrinin was
administered in the diet after N-nitrosodimethylamine or
N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide; an increased incidence of renal
tumours was observed as compared to that in animals receiving
N-nitrosodimethylamine or N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide alone.
In rodents, embryotoxicity occurred after injection of maternally
toxic doses of citrinin.
Both positive and negative results have been reported with citrinin in
the Bacillus subtilis rec assay; the compound was not mutagenic in
Salmonella typhimurium in the presence or absence of an exogenous
metabolic system. It did not induce recombination in Saccharomyces
cerevisiae nor unscheduled DNA synthesis in mammalian cells in vitro.
Chromosomal aberrations but no sister chromatid exchanges were induced
by citrinin in Chinese hamster V79 cells in the presence of an
exogenous metabolic system.
5.3 Human data
No case report or epidemiological study of the carcinogenicity of
citrinin was available to the Working Group.
5.4 Evaluation
There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of citrinin to
experimental animals.
No evaluation could be made of the carcinogenicity of citrinin to
humans.
For definition of the italicized terms, see Preamble Evaluation.
Subsequent evaluation: Suppl. 7 (1987) (p. 60: Group 3)
Synonym
- (3R,4S)4,6-Dihydro-8-hydroxy-3,4,5-trimethyl-6-oxo-3H-2-benzopyran-7-carboxylic acid
Last updated: 22 April 1998