ABSTRACT
Inherent plant toxins are naturally occurring components in plants that are toxic and/or have a negative effect on the bioavailability of nutrients. Toxins in the latter category are often referred to as antinutritional factors or antinutrients. Glycoalkaloids consist of a steroidalkaloid coupled to one or more monosaccharides. Glucosinolates and particularly their hydrolytic products have rather complex physiological properties. Cyanogens occur widely in plants including cassava, sorghum, almonds, bamboo, and legume seeds. Although mushrooms are fungi, mushroom hydrazines are often considered plant toxins rather than mycotoxins. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids form a group of some 200 different compounds. The antinutrients in food may be classified as follows: enzyme inhibitors, lectines and tannines, antivitamins, mineral-binding agents and goitrogens. The toxicokinetic studies can, in conjunction with in vitro studies with human cell cultures of target organs, provide additional accuracy in the safety evaluation. Studies to provide information on reproductive performance, teratogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties are needed in case the pure compound is available.
