Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #334023
Title: Natural toxins of plant origin (phytotoxins)

Author
item Welch, Kevin
item Lee, Stephen
item Cook, Daniel
item Green, Benedict - Ben
item Panter, Kip

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2016
Publication Date: 1/24/2017
Citation: Welch, K.D., Lee, S.T., Cook, D., Green, B.T., Panter, K.E. 2017. Natural toxins of plant origin (phytotoxins). In: Witczak, Al, Sikorshi, Z.E., editors. Toxins and Other Harmfuil Compounds in Foods (Chemical and Functional Properties of Food Components Series). 1st edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p.7-52.

Interpretive Summary: Over 100,000 secondary compounds have been identified in plants including alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, polypeptides, amines and non-protein amino acids, organic acids, alcohols, polyacetylenes, resinous toxins and mineral toxins. For thousands of years man has used some of these compounds as flavors, dyes, fragrances, insecticides, hallucinogens, nutritional supplements, animal or human poisons and therapeutic/pharmaceutical agents. While secondary compounds are an evolutionary adaptation in plants, they serve multiple functions for mankind. This chapter will focus on plants and their toxins that have been researched at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory (PPRL) in Logan, Utah with casual mention of other relevant toxins affecting animals and humans.

Technical Abstract: Over 100,000 secondary compounds have been identified in plants including alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, polypeptides, amines and non-protein amino acids, organic acids, alcohols, polyacetylenes, resinous toxins and mineral toxins. For thousands of years man has used some of these compounds as flavors, dyes, fragrances, insecticides, hallucinogens, nutritional supplements, animal or human poisons and therapeutic/pharmaceutical agents. While secondary compounds are an evolutionary adaptation in plants, they serve multiple functions for mankind. This chapter will focus on plants and their toxins that have been researched at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory (PPRL) in Logan, Utah with casual mention of other relevant toxins affecting animals and humans.