Summary
Fireweed (e.g. Senecio madagascariensis and S. brigalowensis) is a daisy-like herb containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). The occurrence of PA residues in meat was investigated through an abattoir survey of cattle from 41 properties in central Queensland with high exposure to fireweed in late 2007. Residues of free PAs were not detected. Residues of PAs bound to tissue (PA-adducts) were detected in 154 from 189 liver samples. They were not detected in muscle. The toxicity of PA-adducts is much less than PAs, and the health risk to consumers of liver was assessed as very low.
