Neglected and Underutilized Legumes (NULs) Hazards and Probabilistic Risks Associated with Some Selected Dietary Lectins

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : / / www. researchgate . net / publication / 320901083 Neglected (NULs) Hazards Some . . . . Article DOI : 10 . 12691 / jfs - 5 - 6 - 2 CITATIONS 0 READS 86 4 , including : Some : Cassava Consumer Isaac . Ofosu Kwame 15 SEE William Kwame 108 , 848 SEE Ibok Kwame 119 SEE All . Ofosu . The . Abstract NULs are increasingly becoming food security crop but consumers complain about their safety after consumption . This is a serious matter that must be investigated so that the exposure and risks associated with their usage are evaluated and any uncertainties quantified . A structured interview schedule was used to collect data on NULs familiarity and consumption and the perception of consumers regarding their potential hazards . Also , time - temperature inactivation of the agglutinins of NULs flours , together with the NULs ' model dishes were studied , from which the risk assessment of lectin ' s systemic toxicity was evaluated using the hazard - based approach . It was observed that , majority of the respondents who were over 40 years (67 . 6%) were also familiar (59 . 4%) with NULs and consumed NULs dishes (59 . 4%) . The most popular dishes were obtained from the seeds of Vigna sp . (15 . 9%) and Phaseolus sp . (14 . 95%) . The majority (66%) perceived the presence of hazards in NULs , citing pesticide residues (58 . 7%) but not intrinsic hazard as threat . A few also considered pesticide residues to be interactive with food additives (16 . 6 %) as dangerous . Majority (66 . 1%) considered NULs dishes as safe , while at the same time complained of discomfort (97 . 2%) after consumption . Yet , they would still recommend their use to others . Significantly high quantities of agglutinins remained in Vigna sp . flours even after cooking for 1 h relative to others . The hazard quotients of all the NULs dishes were above 1 , meaning consumers are at risk of systemic toxicity . Respondents were somewhat confused about their perception of NULs safety , especially towards intrinsic hazards . Since extrinsic toxicity can be controlled , consumers must be made aware of the potential inherent threats that are associated with NULs consumption .