Tracking Hypoglycins A and B over Different Maturity Stages: Implications for Detoxification of Ackee (Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig) Fruits

Abstract

Consumption of improperly ripened ackee ( Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig) often results in fatalities. The causal toxin, hypoglycin A, decreases in the edible arilli upon maturity; regulation of hypoglycin A in the arilli is thus critical. Hypoglycin B, also toxic, is confined to the seeds. Hypoglycins A and B were tracked in ackees grown in Jamaica over different maturity stages using RP-HPLC. Studies on the 'Butter' and 'Cheese' ackee varieties and across two different harvest seasons were conducted. In 'Cheese' ackees, hypoglycin A decreased from about 8000 mg/kg in the green arilli and seeds to 271 and 1451 mg/kg, respectively, in the ripe fruit whereas hypoglycin B levels in the seeds increased from 1629 to 11774 mg/kg. The strong inverse relationship demonstrated that hypoglycin B in the seeds serves as a sink for hypoglycin A from the ripening arilli and is thereby involved in the detoxification mechanism of the fruit.

New Development of Hypoglycemia in a Previously Poorly-Controlled Type 2 Diabetic: Ackee Fruit-Induced Hypoglycemia

“…In severe cases, it can cause seizures, coma and death, usually within 48 hours of ingestion. There can be associated hypoglycemia, and aciduria [1,3,9,17]. It may also be associated with toxic liver injury with histology mimicking Acetaminophen overdose [1,18,19].…”

“…The hypoglycin A content in the fruit, both arils and seed decreases with maturity [9]. Hypoglycin B levels in the seeds increase with maturity [9]. The unripe Ackee fruit contains hypoglycin A in a concentration 100 times higher than those in the ripe Ackee fruit [10].…”

“…They are called hypoglycin because of their ability to induce severe hypoglycemia. Ackee fruit contains two toxins, hypoglycin A, found in the arils and seeds and hypoglycin B, found only in the seeds of the fruit [9]. Hypoglycin B is a γ-glutamyl conjugate of hypoglycin A and is a less potent toxin [1,9].…”

“…Ackee fruit contains two toxins, hypoglycin A, found in the arils and seeds and hypoglycin B, found only in the seeds of the fruit [9]. Hypoglycin B is a γ-glutamyl conjugate of hypoglycin A and is a less potent toxin [1,9]. The hypoglycin A content in the fruit, both arils and seed decreases with maturity [9].…”

“…Hypoglycin B is a γ-glutamyl conjugate of hypoglycin A and is a less potent toxin [1,9]. The hypoglycin A content in the fruit, both arils and seed decreases with maturity [9]. Hypoglycin B levels in the seeds increase with maturity [9].…”