title: Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP.
abstract: Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) is a high-yielding, drought-resistant legume consumed as a food in Northern India and neighboring countries as well as in Ethiopia. Its development into an important food legume, however, has been hindered by the presence of the neurotoxin - beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (beta-ODAP) in seeds which, if consumed in large quantities for prolonged periods, can cause irreversible paralysis. Recently, some low-toxin lines have been developed that may prove safe for both animal and human foods. Cultivation of L. sativus should thus be considered in suitable regions because the demand for legume animal feed protein products is expected to increase. This paper addresses advances in understanding L. sativus from the perspective of its taxonomy, genetics, ecology, chemistry, nutrition, medicine, biology and for animal nutrition.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
authors.forename: Ze-Yi
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Zhi-Xiao
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Ya-Fu
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chun-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fen-Min
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D027807:Lathyrus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D009498:Neurotoxins; C100126:oxalyldiaminopropionic acid