Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review
Aim: To review the occurrence of natural toxicants in plant food and their toxicological implications. Materials and Methods: A search in chemical and CAB abstracts, review of books and available literatures on the subject. Results: While the great importance of plants as a major source of human foo...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2005-01-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Medicine and Health Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2005;volume=10;issue=1;spage=34;epage=42;aulast=Ezeagu;type=0 |
| _version_ | 1811180060118351872 |
|---|---|
| author | Ikechukwu E Ezeagu |
| author_facet | Ikechukwu E Ezeagu |
| author_sort | Ikechukwu E Ezeagu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aim: To review the occurrence of natural toxicants in plant food and their toxicological implications.
Materials and Methods: A search in chemical and CAB abstracts, review of books and available literatures on the subject.
Results: While the great importance of plants as a major source of human food is recognized, the inherent limitations associated with plant-derived food stuffs, as a result of the occurrence of various antinutritional factors and toxicants, is reviewed. The quality and safety of food could be threatened by a host of factors, including a diverse range of natural compounds capable of precipitating deleterious effects in animals. The toxicants include, trypsin (protease) inhibitors, tannins and polyphenols, phytohemagglutinins (lectins), oxalate, phytic acid, cyanogenic glycosides, goitrogens, nitrates/nitrites, saponins, alkaloids and mycotoxins. The toxicological implications of these factors were highlighted. Mycotoxins fron fungi that contaminate staple food grains are a danger to humans and animals alike and their economic importance in international trade is considerable.
Conclusion: Presence of antinutrients and toxicants in plant derived-food stuffs is a notable disadvantage as regards their utilization if unprocessed. Plant foods for human consumption should therefore be adequately processed such that toxicity is largely eliminated. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:44:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d86646c03dd643d4bea25763219730d6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2635-3695 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:44:11Z |
| publishDate | 2005-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Medicine and Health Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-d86646c03dd643d4bea25763219730d62022-12-22T04:39:24ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Medicine and Health Development2635-36952005-01-011013442Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-reviewIkechukwu E EzeaguAim: To review the occurrence of natural toxicants in plant food and their toxicological implications. Materials and Methods: A search in chemical and CAB abstracts, review of books and available literatures on the subject. Results: While the great importance of plants as a major source of human food is recognized, the inherent limitations associated with plant-derived food stuffs, as a result of the occurrence of various antinutritional factors and toxicants, is reviewed. The quality and safety of food could be threatened by a host of factors, including a diverse range of natural compounds capable of precipitating deleterious effects in animals. The toxicants include, trypsin (protease) inhibitors, tannins and polyphenols, phytohemagglutinins (lectins), oxalate, phytic acid, cyanogenic glycosides, goitrogens, nitrates/nitrites, saponins, alkaloids and mycotoxins. The toxicological implications of these factors were highlighted. Mycotoxins fron fungi that contaminate staple food grains are a danger to humans and animals alike and their economic importance in international trade is considerable. Conclusion: Presence of antinutrients and toxicants in plant derived-food stuffs is a notable disadvantage as regards their utilization if unprocessed. Plant foods for human consumption should therefore be adequately processed such that toxicity is largely eliminated.http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2005;volume=10;issue=1;spage=34;epage=42;aulast=Ezeagu;type=0antinutritional factorsnatural toxicantsfood plantsreview |
| spellingShingle | Ikechukwu E Ezeagu Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review International Journal of Medicine and Health Development antinutritional factors natural toxicants food plants review |
| title | Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review |
| title_full | Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review |
| title_short | Occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants: A mini-review |
| title_sort | occurrence of natural toxicants in food plants a mini review |
| topic | antinutritional factors natural toxicants food plants review |
| url | http://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2005;volume=10;issue=1;spage=34;epage=42;aulast=Ezeagu;type=0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ikechukwueezeagu occurrenceofnaturaltoxicantsinfoodplantsaminireview |