Tropane alkaloid contamination of agricultural commodities and food products in relation to consumer health: Learnings from the 2019 Uganda food aid outbreak

Abstract

Tropane alkaloids (TAs) are secondary plant metabolites derived mainly from Solanaceae plant families, with the most virulent invasive species beingDatura stramonium.Datura stramoniumcommonly grows in cereal fields and produce TAs (e.g., hyoscyamine and scopolamine) which may accidentally contaminate cereals (and cereal‐based foods) at occasionally high levels. Dietary exposure to TAs can be toxic and depending on the dose ingested can cause outcomes ranging from anticholinergic effects to acute poisoning and death. In 2019, 315 adults became ill and another five adults died in Uganda following consumption of a “Super Cereal” (a fortified blended food) that was later confirmed to be contaminated by TAs—a scenario which provoked this holistic review on TAs in foodstuffs. Thus, this article provides information on the history, development, occurrences, exposures, and human legislative and health benchmarks for TAs. It describes control strategies for reducing TA contamination of agricultural commodities and resultant health implications following consumption of TA contaminated foodstuffs. Adequate application of food safety control measures (including maximum limits) and good practices, from the start of cereal cultivation through to the final stages of manufacturing of food products can aid in the reduction of seeing toxic plants includingD. stramoniumin cereal fields.

Mesostructured Silicas as Cation-Exchange Sorbents in Packed or Dispersive Solid Phase Extraction for the Determination of Tropane Alkaloids in Culinary Aromatics Herbs by HPLC-MS/MS

“…contamination, among others, as the amount of alkaloids is influenced not only by the plant species, but also by the part of the plant, the plant maturity and its geographical location [ 14 ]. For example, whereas thorn apple seeds from Italy have 14 times more At than Sc, in seeds from Poland, the content of At was 10–30% lower [ 13 ]. This fact shows that it is difficult to identify the possible source of contamination by plant-producing TAs and evidences the importance of monitoring commercially available foods, as occurrence data are essential to assess any potential risk of human toxicity.…”

“…In addition, these alkaloids are found in all parts of the TAs-producing plants, seeds, leaves, roots and flowers, and cross contamination with the crops is usual, due to fast and mechanical harvesting [ 12 ]. For example, leaves of D. stramonium (jimsonweed or thorn apple) and A. belladonna (deadly nightshade) can be mistaken for leaves of other plants that are used to prepare salads or to make tea (for example mallow) due to physical resemblances [ 13 ].…”

Laboratory investigations into the cause of multiple serious and fatal food poisoning incidents in Uganda during 2019

“…Major systems failures were recorded in quality management procedures. These have been detailed in a second report on the Ugandan incidents (Abia, Nugent, Montgomery, & Elliott, 2020).…”

Occurrence and Chemistry of Tropane Alkaloids in Foods, with a Focus on Sample Analysis Methods: A Review on Recent Trends and Technological Advances

“…In this sense, it is necessary that food producers and manufacturing companies ensure, in the next years, the reduction of the amount of undesirable plants producing TAs in crops, raw materials and finished products, following good agricultural and manufacturing practices. In addition, the adequate application of food safety control measures (including the establishment of maximum limits) can aid in the reduction of TAs in foods [6].…”

“…Foods 2022, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 28 have generally been found as impurities in numerous crops of linseed, soy, millet, sunflower and buckwheat [5] (Figure 1). For example, in Uganda in 2019, humanitarian food aid (product known as Super Cereal composed by maize and soya) contaminated with TAs of D. stramonium was responsible of the foodborne outbreak which caused over 300 hospitalizations and 5 deaths [6]. In this sense, it is necessary that food producers and manufacturing companies ensure, in the next years, the reduction of the amount of undesirable plants producing TAs in crops, raw materials and finished products, following good agricultural and manufacturing practices.…”