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Ackee Toxin : a Riboflavin Antimetabolite?

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Abstract

THERE has occurred in Jamaica an illness known as ‘vomiting sickness’, characterized by vomiting, coma and death, which has been attributed to a toxin present in the ackee (Blighia sapida)1–3. In the course of routine assay for the protein values of human diets, a Jamaican meal containing this fruit was prepared, fed to rats, and the animals lost 26 per cent of their initial body-weight in 10 days. On a dry-weight basis, the meal contained 39 per cent green banana, 26 per cent salted cod-fish, 9 per cent coco-nut oil, 6 per cent salted pork fat, and 20 per cent ackee. Despite the high total protein content (17 per cent) of this mixture, it has a net dietary-protein value4 of zero.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Research Unit, National Institute for Medical Research, London, N.W.7

    H. C. FOX & D. S. MILLER

Authors
  1. H. C. FOX
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  2. D. S. MILLER
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FOX, H., MILLER, D. Ackee Toxin : a Riboflavin Antimetabolite?. Nature 186, 561–562 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/186561b0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/186561b0

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