Risk by Human Health for Invasion of Pteridium arachnoideum, in Bolívar, Ecuador PtaquilosideS Content in Fronds and in Milk

Pteridium spp. is a very invasive plant in the world. It has a carcinogen toxic substance named ptaquiloside. Recently were make a first report of presence the Enzootic Hematuria Bovine (EHB) in San Miguel, Bolivar province, Ecuador. This report describes the presence of high invasion by Pteridium arachnoideum (bracken fern) in areas of cattle grazing. For also, the present work had as objective study the level of ptaquiloside in fronds of bracken fern in different farms considering different altitude. It was make determination of ptaquiloside residual level in milk from cantons with high invasion of bracken fern. In both case were use High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) by extern standard using pterosin B, as stable product of ptaquiloside. The study report high concentration of ptaquiloside in fronds of bracken fern no dependent of altitude. High level of residual toxic compounds were find milk sample. High level of toxic in milk constitute a potential risk by human health in Ecuador.