Baby Safety / Compounds / Ptaquiloside

Is Ptaquiloside safe for babies and kids?

Very high risk for kids

Infants are highly susceptible to Ptaquiloside due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What is ptaquiloside?

The IUPAC name is methyl (1R,2S,3R,6R,8R,13S,14R,15R,16S,17S)-10,15,16-trihydroxy-9,13-dimethyl-3-(3-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-4,11-dioxo-5,18-dioxapentacyclo[12.5.0.01,6.02,17.08,13]nonadec-9-ene-17-carboxylate.

Also known as: Brusatol, Yatansin, 3ATY6SZ64B, methyl (1R,2S,3R,6R,8R,13S,14R,15R,16S,17S)-10,15,16-trihydroxy-9,13-dimethyl-3-(3-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-4,11-dioxo-5,18-dioxapentacyclo[12.5.0.01,6.02,17.08,13]nonadec-9-ene-17-carboxylate.

IUPAC name
methyl (1R,2S,3R,6R,8R,13S,14R,15R,16S,17S)-10,15,16-trihydroxy-9,13-dimethyl-3-(3-methylbut-2-enoyloxy)-4,11-dioxo-5,18-dioxapentacyclo[12.5.0.01,6.02,17.08,13]nonadec-9-ene-17-carboxylate
CAS number
87625-62-5
Molecular formula
C20H30O8
Molecular weight
398.45 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=C(C(=O)CC2(C1CC3C45C2C(C(C(C4C(C(=O)O3)OC(=O)C=C(C)C)(OC5)C(=O)OC)O)O)C)O
PubChem CID
73432

Risk for babies

Very high risk

Infants are highly susceptible to Ptaquiloside due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Ptaquiloside, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Ptaquiloside.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC1987Group 2B — Possibly carcinogenic (bracken fern, 1987; ptaquiloside specifically listed as the active carcinogen)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter ptaquiloside

  • Natural Product
  • Food Contaminant

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Ptaquiloside:

  • Avoid bracken fern consumption
    Trade-offs: Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) is consumed as vegetable in Japan (warabi) and Korea (gosari). Blanching reduces but doesn't eliminate ptaquiloside.
    Relative cost: N/A

Frequently asked questions

Is ptaquiloside safe for kids?

Infants are highly susceptible to Ptaquiloside due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What should I do if my child is exposed to ptaquiloside?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Ptaquiloside in the baby app

Look up products containing ptaquiloside, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →