Identification of Aconitine in Raw Honey that Caused Food Poisoning

Food poisoning was caused by raw honey in Iwate prefecture on April 15, 1992. To investigate the poisonous substances, the pollens contained in the honey were inspected through a microscope. Most of the pollens (68.3%) belonged to Aconitum. The honey induced neurotoxic symptoms in rats.On a thin layer chromatogram of an extract of the honey, a substance having the same Rf value as that of aconitine standard was detected. The presence of aconitine in the extract of the honey was confirmed by GC/MS.Quantification was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography using a modified method for quick extraction and purification of aconitum alkaloids in herb medicines, and the aconitine level in the honey was determined. The concentration was 9.8ppm, which was similar to the estimated level obtained from a toxicity test using killifish.These results showed that the food poisoning was caused by aconitine in the honey.