[Trends of plant toxin food poisonings during the past 50 years in Japan].

In the present study, we reviewed food poisoning data published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan from 1961 to 2010 in Japan to analyze the trends of plant toxin food poisonings (PTFPs). The annual number of incidents of PTFPs has gradually increased since 1995. PTFPs were predominantly caused by Datura spp., Veratrum spp. and Aconitum spp. Although PTFPs frequently occurred in April and May, poisonings caused by some plants occurred in all seasons, e.g. Datura spp. The major location of PTFPs was "at home", and most of the patients had accidentally harvested poisonous plants. During the past decade, the numbers of incidents of PTFPs caused by Veratrum spp., Narcissus spp., Solanum tuberosum and Alocasia odora were especially increased. Consumer advice to prevent PTFPs associated with certain plants that are cultivated in gardens and contain toxic substances is needed, because PTFPs caused by such plants are increasing. In addition, education of elementary school teachers and children about the potential risks of natural toxins in plants, particularly Solanum tuberosum, is desirable.

Brunfelsia australis (Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow tree) and Solanum poisoning in a dog.

A 2.5 yr old female beagle presented for acute abdominal pain and vomiting after consuming limited offerings of green potato skins. Progressive complications associated with suspected ingestion of a higher potency toxin followed within 5 hr. Subsequent investigations revealed a significant ingestion of an Australian shrub commonly called a "Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" tree (Brunfelsia australis). The toxic principle for this emerging toxicity is referred to as "strychnine-like" and is potentially lethal with gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and cardiac pathology. This plant is currently being aggressively promoted by United States nurserymen for its dramatic tri-colored blooms and drought resistance.

The Solanaceae: foods and poisons.

The plant family Solanaceae contains important foodstuffs such as the potato, tomato and aubergine, together with powerful poisons including mandrake, henbane and deadly nightshade. In the first article in this short series on the family, the history and importance of the potato are described. It was first cultivated by the Inca people in the altiplano of the Andes in prehistoric times. Then it was translocated to Europe by the Spanish invaders. Originally reviled as'peasant food', it was regarded with great suspicion as an evil plant and a potential cause of leprosy. Over several centuries it gradually became established throughout Britain, France and the continent, and in particular in Ireland, where its growth allowed the population to expand very rapidly between 1750 and 1850. In the late 1840s, nemesis arrived in the form of the potato blight and the Irish famine. The 'tatties' went black, a great hunger ensued and thousands died. Later, the causative fungus was isolated and steps were taken to avoid further similar disasters. It is not generally appreciated that potatoes can be poisonous if they are turning green or sprouting (chitting). The tuber is then producing toxic quantities of the alkaloid alpha-solanine. The clinical syndrome of potato poisoning is described briefly.

Pathogenic effects of Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium solani Var. coeruleum and dry rot affected potatoes on the internal organs of rats.

Rats of the Wistar race were used in toxicological experiments involving Fusarium sulphureum Schl., F. solani var. coeruleum (Sacc.) Booth and potatoes damaged by these fungi. The in vivo and postmortem studies revealed that both fungi and effected tubers had hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects on the animals. Morphological changes in the internal organs were mainly manifested by disturbances in blood circulation and regressive metamorphosis. These changes intensified proportionally to the dose of fungi and diseased potatoes in the feed used. Fusarium solani was more pathogenic than F. sulphureum. No teratogenic effect was observed, although addition of the fungi and infested potatoes into the feeds decreased the reproductive ability of rats and caused a decrease in foetal body weight as well as haematomae in foetuses.

A review of toxicity factors in some food and feedingstuffs in the nutrition of man and livestock in Nigeria.

A review of the toxicity factors in some food and feedingstuffs in the nutrition of man and livestock in Nigeria was conducted. The crops reviewed were cassava, cocoyam, guinea corn, cottonseed, soyabean, bambara, groundnut and cowpea. These crops provide cheap sources of carbohydrate and protein in the diets of humans and livestock. However, antinutritional factors inhibit their use. Antinutritional or toxic factors associated with them are reviewed and means of detoxifying them for human and livestock feeding are enumerated.