Plant acid toxicology

Plant acid toxicology

1. Toxicology of Plant Acids Nabeela Jabeen Mphil P harmacognosy

2. Plant Acids Plant acids. Plants contain organic acids . According to  chemical   classification  the acids may belong to different groups, they may be divided into two classes, the volatile and nonvolatile ones. Volatile acids are the ones that volatilize and pass from the liquid as vapor. The odor of acetic acid or vinegar during cooking is well known. The following acids of the CnH1nO2 series are volatile, the first ones being more volatile than the last ones:

3. CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT ACIDS 1. VOLATILE OILS Formic acid H. COOH Acetic acid CH3.COOH Propionic acid CH3 . CH1 . COOH Butyric acid CH3 . CH1 . CH1 . COOH Valeric acid CH3.CH1.CH1CH1COOH Caproic acid CH3 . CH1 . CH1 . CH1 . CH1 . COOH Formic and acetic acids have been obtained from plants during distillation. Onslow states that propionic acid has only rarely been found in plants.

4. NON-VOLATILE OILS Non-volatile acids. The following are some of the more common non-volatile ones found in foods: Dicarboxylic acids Oxalic acid COOH. COOH Malonic acid COOH . CH1 . COOH Succinic acid COOH . CH1 . CH1 . COOH Glutaric acid COOH . (CH1)3 . COOH Adipic acid COOH . (CH1)4 . COOH Hydroxydicarboxylic acids M alic acid COOH . CHOH . CH1 . COOH Tartaric acid COOH . CHOH . CHOH . COOH Hydroxytricarboxylic acids

5. Oxalic acid (purpose in plant) Oxalic acid, or oxalate, is primarily found in leafy green vegetables, rhubarb and beets. Oxalic acid and oxalates are produced and present in plants in different amounts. Insoluble calcium oxalate plays a key role in regulating calcium concentration, which is important in the functioning of guard cells. Oxalates provide tolerance to aluminium toxicity to plants growing in acid soils.

6. Both oxalic acid and calcium oxalate provide self-defence against insect pests and grazing animals. Oxalates are involved in phytoremediation of soils rendered toxic by heavy metals, like lead, cadmium, zinc, etc.

7. Toxicity of oxalic acid T here is a possible risk of congenital malformation in the fetus Cause Destruction of tissues of Respiratory tract Skin Eye

8. Symptoms burning sensation, cough , wheezing,  laryngitis, shortness of breath, spasm, inflammation and edema of the  larynx inflammation and edema of the  bronchi,   pneumonitis  pulmonary edema

9. Lethal Dose In humans, ingested oxalic acid has an oral  LD Lo  (lowest published lethal dose) of 600  mg/kg. It has been reported that the lethal oral dose is 15 to 30 grams . The toxicity of oxalic acid is due to kidney failure caused by precipitation of solid calcium oxalate, the main component of kidney stones. 

10. Treatment of oxalic acid toxicity If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider . DO NOT give water or milk if the person is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

11. Amino acid Amino Acids are fundamental ingredients in the process of Protein Synthesis. About 20 important Amino Acids are involved in the process of each function. ... Proteins have a structural function, metabolic function (enzymes), a transport function  and a stock of Amino Acids function.

12. Toxicity of amino acid Those nonprotein amino acids found in food and fodder plants and known to be toxic to man and domestic animals are described. These include toxins from many legume genera including  Lathyrus , from other higher plant families, from seaweeds, and from fungi.  Some inhibit protein synthesis, while others are incorporated into proteins with toxic effects. Basic processes such as urea synthesis and neurotransmission may be disrupted . 

13. The probable roles of nonprotein amino acids in protecting plants against predators , pathogens , competing plant species   A lfalfa ( Medicago sativa), which contains canavanine , and lentil (Lens culinaris ), which contains homoarginine .

14. Resin acids They are often mixtures of organic compounds , principally  terpenes . Many plants, particularly woody plants, produce resin in response to injury. The resin acts as a bandage protecting the plant from invading insects and pathogens.