definition

Last update: 08/04/2024 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 37, 38, 39, 41]

Plant toxins are biosynthesized toxic compounds produced by plants for natural self-defense against herbivore animals, micro-organisms, insects and other plants.  They naturally occur in food, feed, weeds and ornamental plants. The botanical and chemical diversities are very rich including  Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs), Tropane Alkaloids (TAs), Glycoalkaloids, Quinolizidine Alkaloids, Cyanogenic Glycosides, Cannabinoids, Opium Alkaloids, Grayanotoxins (GTXs), triptolide, tutin, aristolochic acid and alkenylbenzenes (trans-anethole, methyl eugenol, myristicin, safrole). [39]

PAs (Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids) are mainly found in Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae and Fabaceae families. Most studied are Senecionine-, Lycopsamine-, Heliotrine- and Monocrotaline- types.

TAs (Tropane Alkaloids) are compounds naturally occurring in Brassicaceae, Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae families. Most studied are Scopolamine and Atropine.

Natural Plant Toxins in Honey-Grayanotoxins, Triptolide, Tutin [37]

Grayanotoxins: Grayanotoxins are produced by Rhododendron species and other plants in the family Ericaceae. Grayanotoxins in the pollen and nectar of grayanotoxin-producing plants can be transferred to honey. Accordingly, honey may contain grayanotoxins if it is obtained in regions where grayanotoxin-containing rhododendron species are widespread. These include R. luteum and R. ponticum, which are mainly found on the Turkish Black Sea coast but also in mountainous regions in Spain and Portugal, as well as R. ferrugineum, which is found in the Alpine region. However, only some of the more than 180 different naturally occurring grayanotoxins are actually found in honey. Honey containing grayanotoxins is also known as “Pontic honey”, “mad honey” or “bitter honey” due to its bitter, pungent taste. [41]
Triptolide is a diterpenoid epoxide which is produced by the thunder god vine, Tripterygium wilfordii.
Tutin is a poisonous plant derivative found in New Zealand tutu plants (several species in the genus Coriaria).
Aristolochic acid: A family of compounds in the plant, collectively called aristolochic acids (AAs) in Aristolochia clematitis. Cause severe kidney disease endemic to Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, as well as the cause of multiple types of cancer. [38]

Alkenylbenzenes [39]

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