Structure elucidation and toxicity analyses of the radiolytic products of aflatoxin B1 in methanol-water solution

▶ Radiolytic products of aflatoxin B1 were produced under gamma irradiation. ▶ Seven key radiolytic products were structure-elucidated. ▶ Free-radical species in radiolytic solution resulted in the formation of products. ▶ Based on the structure-activity relationship analysis, the toxicity of radiolytic products was significantly reduced compared with that of AFB1. ▶ The addition reaction on furan ring double bond was the reason for the reduced toxicity.