Abstract
THERE is evidence in literature dating from 1887 1–3 that the fruit of Blighia sapida (known in Jamaica as ackee and in Nigeria as isin), a very common article of diet in Jamaica, may contain toxic components. Also, it has been suggested that these components are a contributing cause of Jamaican ‘vomiting sickness’, an important local disease of, as yet, undefined etiology4–6. However, this view has not been generally accepted7,8. We have attempted the isolation and study of the toxic constituents of the fruit in order to examine the hypothesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bowrey, J. J., Jamaica Gaz., 10, 481 (1887).
Connal, A., and Ralston, W., J. Trop. Med., 21, 81 (1918).
Lynch, S. J., Larson, E., and Doughty, D. D., Proc. Florida State Hort. Soc., 64, 281 (1951).
Evans, K. L., and Arnold, L. E., Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg., 32, 355 (1938).
Jordan, E. O., and Burrows, W., Amer. J. Hygiene, 25, (3), 520 (1937).
Scott, H. H., Ann. Trop. Med. and Parasit., 10, 1 (1916).
Purchas, F. A. G., Supp. Jamaica Gazette, 35, 695 (1912).
Seidelin, H., Ann. Trop. Med., 8, 377 (1913).
Hill, K. R., Bras, G., and Clearkin, K. P. (in the press). Stuart, K. L., Jelliffe, D. B., and Hill, K. R. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HASSALL, C., REYLE, K. & FENG, P. Hypoglycin A,B: Biologically Active Polypeptides from Blighia sapida . Nature 173, 356–357 (1954). https://doi.org/10.1038/173356b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/173356b0
This article is cited by
-
Antimutagenic unusual amino acids from plants
Experientia (1985)
-
Possibility of inborn defect in isovalericacidaemia involving altered enzyme specificity rather than total inactivity
Nature (1974)
-
Elevation of hepatic tyrosine 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase in rats by 4-pentynoic acid, a hypoglycemic agent
Experientia (1973)
-
Mechanism of teratogenic action of hypoglycin-A
Experientia (1971)
-
Teratogenic Effects of Hypoglycin-A
Nature (1968)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
