title: [Plants as a source of natural harmful substances].
abstract: In this review the several data concerning phytotoxins as natural harmful substances of plants and phycotoxins--toxicants of algae were described. For example plants are source of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, glycoalkaloids, glucosinolates as well as glycosides, saponine and psolarens. Possible adverse effects of phytoestrogens as endocrine disruptors versus beneficial influence these substances on human organism were mentioned. About lectins as possible factors of some diseases was reported, as well as some proteins as allergens of soy and peanuts was mentioned. Accumulated by shellfish and fish the most important phycotoxins such as saxitoxin, okadaic acid, brevetoxins and ciguatoxins were described. Phycotoxins produced several poisoning symptoms. Microcystins and nodularin--cyanobacterial phycotoxins of freshwater, was mentioned. In conclusion, the need of limitation of permissible levels of some plant toxicants, development of analytical methods as well as knowledge of influence of some technological processes on toxic plant substances was highlighted. The importance of balanced diet as a tool of defense against plant toxicants was concluded.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Analizy Zywności Instytut Biotechnologii Przemyslu Rolno-Spozywczego 02-532 Warszawa, ul. Rakowiecka 36. czerwiecki@ibprs.pl
authors.forename: Ludwik
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Czerwiecki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000506:poisoning / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014118:Toxins, Biological