Naturally Occurring Food Toxicants

Toxicants

Substances that upon ingestion produce changes in homeostasis resulting in abnormal function of an organism.

Aflatoxin

Mycotoxin, elaborated by Aspergillus flavus. Typical food sources: Moldy grains, nuts, oilseeds, legumes.

Amygladin

Cyanogenic glycoside. Typical food sources: Apricot pits, peach pits.

Avidin (chicken)

Forms insoluble complex with biotin. Typical food sources: Raw egg white.

Caffeic acid

Destroys thiamine. Typical food sources: Bracken fern (pako).

Caffeine

Alkaloid; stimulant. Typical food sources: Coffee, tea, cola nuts.

Capsaicin

Amide. Typical food sources: Capsicum peppers.

Discorine

Causes oral alkaloid poisoning. Typical food sources: Yam (nami) or Dioscorea hirsuta Blume.

Myristicin

Alkaloid; psychoactive. Typical food sources: Nutmeg, mace, carrots.

Ochratoxin A

Mycotoxin, elaborated by Aspergillus ochraceus. Typical food sources: Moldy grains, nuts, oilseeds, legumes, dried, salted and fermented foods.

Oxalic acid

Reacts with calcium to reduce availability. Typical food sources: balimbing, alugbati, taro

Patulin

Mycotoxin, antibiotic elaborated by Penicillium patulum. Typical food sources: Cereals and tropical fruits.

Phytic acid

reacts with calcium to reduce availability. Typical food sources: Oats, rice, legumes.

Phytohemaglutins

Have the ability to agglutinate red blood cells, hemolysis, death. Typical food sources: legumes

Solanine

Glycoalkaloid, antiacetylcholinesterase. Typical food sources: Potatoes, tomatoes, apples, eggplant.

Sterigmatocystin

Mycotoxin, elaborated by Aspergillus versicolor. Typical food sources: Moldy grains, nuts, oilseeds, legumes.

Thiaminase

Enzyme, inactivates thiamine. Typical food sources: Raw fish.

Thiocyanates and related S-containing compounds (goitrins or goitrogens)

Interfere with thyroxin synthesis in the thyroid gland. Typical food sources: Cabbage, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, and radish.

Tyramine

Vasoactive amine. Typical food sources: Cheeses, bananas, plantains, tomatoes, pineapple.