Abstract:
Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) shoot has been proved to give a neurotoxic
effect. This study using male Wistar rats shows that the time for advent of
neurotoxic symptoms is affected by the location from which the seed shoot
(which gives rise to this flour) is collected. Studies show that the advent of
neurotoxic symptoms can be delayed but not eliminated by washing and
steaming the flour and using boiled shoots to prepare traditional foods.
The neurotoxic effect was always accompanied by a significant elevation
of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) but not alanine aminotransferase
(ALT). Showing that there is no evidence, even sub-clinically, for the
hepatotoxic effect previously reported.
The findings are alarming as these traditional foods are widely consumed
in North-east Sri Lanka. The only mitigating factor is the possibility of the
neurotoxic effect being species dependent.
