A toxin from the palmyra palm, Borassus flabellifer: partial purification and effects in rats.

Abstract The neurotoxicity, but not the hepatotoxicity, to the rat of an edible portion of the young shoot of the palmyra palm, Borassus flabellifer , was confirmed. Extracts of this material were shown to contain the toxic factor which was found to be heat-stable and insoluble in organic solvents. The toxin contains a cationic functional group and has a molecular weight of c. 1400. A 400-fold enrichment of the toxin was achieved and its effects in the rat are described and discussed. Brine-shrimp ( Artemia salina ) larvae can be used to assay partially purified preparations of the toxin.