Toxins in the seedlings of some varieties of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus)

Abstract

The major toxin present in the dry seeds and seedlings of Lathyrus sativus is the neurotoxin 3-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (beta-ODAP). The presence of one additional neurotoxin and an osteotoxin in the seedlings increases the overall toxicity. Isolation, purification, and detection of these toxins are described.

Isolation and characterization of piperine from the fruits of black pepper (Piper nigrum)

“…Then the sun dried fruits were ground in an electrically operated grinder to fine particle size. Extraction and isolation were performed according to the method described by Lambein et al (1993).…”

The influence of raw grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) seeds on growth performance and biochemical and haematological parameters in the blood of grower-finisher pigs

“…A factor which limits their usefulness is the presence of β-ODAP (β-N-oxalyl-diaminopropionic acid) neurotoxin which causes a disease known as lathyrism or neurolathyrism, occurring symptoms as paralysis of the leg muscles, muscular rigidity and weakness (Lambein et al 1993, Jyothi et al 1998, Getahun et al 1999, Pratap Rudra et al 2004, Kuo et al 2007, as well as a range of other anti-nutrient substances, such as protease inhibitors, lectins, tannins and phytinians (Ramachandran et al 2005, Sharma et al 2003. Extrusion of the seeds results in limiting the activity of these toxins (Grela et al 2001, Ramachadran andRay 2004), yet this is a costly procedure.…”

Evidence of osteolathyrism among patients suffering from neurolathyrism in Bangladesh

“…It has been suggested [Lambein et al, 1993] that low concentrations of 2-cyanoethyl-isoxazolin-5-one (compound VIII) in the seeds could have caused the osteolathyrism. Our present findings show that osteolathyrism also occurs among neurolathyritic patients in Bangladesh.…”

“…It was suggested [Lambein et al, 1993] that the presence of low concentrations of 2-cyanoethyl-isoxazolin-5-one (compound VIII) in the seeds might be responsible. This heterocyclic compound, which can be photolysed [De Bruyn et al, 1992] or metabolised to BAPN, produces the symptoms of osteolathyrism in rats [Van Rompuy et al, 1974] and chicks [Lambein and De Vos, 1981].…”