Lathyrus and lathyrism: A review

Abstract

Over consumption of seeds of Lathyrus sativus causes lathyrism, a paralytic disease of legs/hind limbs, in human and animals. Some of these aminoacids and their amine derivatives are neurotoxic to both human and animals. Lathyrism, a paralytic disease is caused by the extensive use of seeds of Lathyrus sativus. A nonprotein aminoacid, β-N-Oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA) present in these seeds is found to be responsible for this effect. Though it has been banned in many countries from cultivation, there is every possibility of its use as a part of diet during adverse climatic conditions like flood, drought etc. when other crops get ruined but it survives. In this article the authors have reviewed and documented the lethal manifestation of seeds of Lathyrus sp. to create an awareness against the use of this as human diet and animal fodder and the present status of research for developing toxin free species of this agronomically important plant by use of genetic engineering.