Discovery By Guelph Scientists May Show How Recalled Pet Food Became Toxic
Posted on: Friday, 27 April 2007, 15:00 CDT
GUELPH, Ont. (CP) - Scientists at the University of Guelph say they have discovered a chemical process that may explain how pets in Canada and the United States were affected by contaminants discovered in recalled pet food products last month.
They found that melamine and cyanuric acid - compounds identified as contaminants in the gluten that was used in the recalled pet food - react with one another to form crystals that may block kidney function.
Tests conducted at the university's laboratory identified these crystal-like substances in the kidneys and urine of affected animals.
Further experiments showed that the chemical composition of the crystals that are formed when these two compounds interact matches the composition of urinary crystals removed from affected animals.
The scientists believe the findings may provide evidence of a link between these compounds and the deaths of pets exposed to contaminated food.
One researcher says the findings explain how two compounds that weren't dangerous on their own could become toxic when they react together.
Source: Canadian Press
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