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The carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic toxicity of bracken

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

I. Antice Evans
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
J. H. Prorok
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
R. C. Cole
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
M. H. Al-Salmani
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
A. M. H. Al-Samarrai
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
M. C. Patel
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
R. M. M. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Biochemistry and Soil Science, University College of North Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd
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Synopsis

Information concerning the carcinogenicity of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) in different species and organs is reviewed. Various methods used in attempts to identify the plant components responsible are described and the results evaluated. Reference is made to recent and current research in this field (University College of North Wales, Bangor) and includes mutagenic and sterility studies, and the introduction of teratogenic screening by injection of Japanese quail eggs. The many problems still challenging bracken workers are indicated, and a final section deals with the potential hazard to human health in an attempt to link experimental work with epidemiological surveys of human cancer incidence. One important result of the study of bracken carcinogenicity is that active components, previously thought to be harmless, can be found in a wide variety of regular dietary items.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1982

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