Toxicity of the Alternaria spp metabolites, tenuazonic acid, alternariol, altertoxin-i, and alternariol monomethyl ether to brine shrimp (Artemia salina L) larvae

The toxicities of several Alternaria spp metabolites to brine shrimp (Artemia salina L) larvae were determined using the disc method of inoculation and an exposure period or 18 h. The 50% lethal concentration dose of tenuazonic acid, alternariol, altertoxin-I and altenuene were around 75, 100, 200 and 375 μg ml−1, respectively. Although alternariol monomethyl ether was found not to produce any mortality, its poor solubility in the common solvents posed testing difficulties, making assessment of its toxicity unreliable.