Nicholas Kwan-Wong + Thomas Lai

Rotenone – Metabolic Toxin Profile

Summary

Rotenone is a common piscicide as well as insecticide. It has been used for centuries by Central and
South Americans to stun fish. The chemical is usually absorbed by the body through direct ingestion or
inhalation. Rotenone inhibits cellular respiration: it inhibits the electron transport chain in the
mitochondria. It is extremely toxic to aquatic environments and animals. Its toxicity to humans is
moderate, but there is a very low chance of being exposed to a toxic dose, as rotenone is sold in very
low concentrations. Its effect on humans is studied little, as toxicity is extremely uncommon. There have
been links between rotenone and the symptoms of Parkinson's disease in lab rats.

Physical Properties

 Very soluble in non-polar (organic) solvents such as acetone

 A generally unstable molecule, decomposes quickly in water
 In its pure form appears as a colourless, crystalline solid
 Has a boiling point of 165°C

History and development

 Initially used for centuries by Central and South American people to help in fishing
o The 'Jewel' vine, a plant which naturally contains rotenone, was crushed and thrown
into the water to 'stun' the fish so they would float to the surface
 Active ingredient was isolated in 1895 by Geoffrey
 Now used as a common insecticide and piscicide (fish killer)

Absorption and Effect on Metabolism

 Nicholas Kwan-Wong + Thomas Lai

 Rotenone is absorbed through direct ingestion and inhalation

o Absorption through the skin is very miniscule
 Inhibits the Electron Transport Chain in cellular respiration in the mitochondria
 Blocks the oxidation of NADH to NAD by inhibiting co-enzyme Q

Danger and Toxicity

 Extremely toxic in aquatic environments and to aquatic animals

 Very low risk of taking a lethal dose – rotenone solutions are sold in very low concentrations (1-
5%)
 Moderate toxicity in humans
o Estimated LD50 for humans is 300-500 mg/kg (ppm) taken orally
 Almost no reported cases of rotenone poisoning in humans
 May cause effects on the central nervous system, such as convulsions
 Growth inhibition observed during testing on canines
 May cause changes to occur in the liver and kidneys

Links to Human Disorders / Treatments

 A test conducted on rats resulted in the animals showing symptoms similar to that of
Parkinson's disease
 There is no treatment, most likely because there is little need for one: it is extremely unlikely
anyone would expose themselves to a toxic dose of rotenone

Bibliography

http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg073.htm#SectionNumber:1.2

http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0944.htm

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/rotenone/startpageh.htm

http://books.google.ca/books?
id=OBZbR4vpg0YC&pg=PA204&lpg=PA204&dq=rotenone+geoffrey&source=bl&ots=PEKLZaL9rB&sig=Fv
GbqSLxRX6jVcWfpFqv20nadq0&hl=en&ei=0CJSTbWEENLSgQeTqt3JCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result
&resnum=1&ved=0CBUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=rotenone%20geoffrey&f=false (Search Rotenone
Geoffrey in Google books, first result)

All sources accessed February 8, 2011