Toxicity of Radiant Color Powder® in ruminants

Abstract

The toxicity of Radiant Color Powder®, a commercial fluorescent powder containing 1% 7-diethylamino-4-methyl coumarin and 8.5% 4-methyl benzene sulfonamide, was tested in sheep with single oral dosage levels of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 gm/kg body weight. The LD[50] was found to be greater than 8 gm/kg body weight which was comparable to the reported LD[50] values in rats. The compound produced minimal clinical signs and no abnormal clinico-pathologic signs were noted. The 7-diethylamino-4-methyl coumarin and 4-methyl benzene were detected utilizing fluorometric and gas chromatographic techniques, respectively. Both compounds were found in urine and feces, but could not be detected in plasma or serum due to a lack of sensitivity of the methods used.