Grass Pea, the β-ODAP Toxin, and Neurolathyrism. Health and Safety Considerations

This Chapter concerns the use of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) in human and animal nutrition by the viewpoint of safety and health. Domesticated grass pea is documented and historically demonstrated. This grain legume can be found worldwide. Substantially, Lathyrus genus—and grass pea in particular—seems to be a constant presence in the human history in association with cultivated cereals and other legumes. From the nutritional viewpoint, L. sativus is reported to have a demonstrated deficiency of vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E, some amino acids and elements. However, these deficiencies are not important worries. Health and safety problems are linked to the β-ODAP neurotoxin, responsible for neurolathyrism, and other antinutritional factors (condensed tannins and total phenolics; some enzymatic inhibitory activities). Actually, ‘neurolathyrism is associated with osteolathyrism (under the common ‘lathyrism’ name). Anyway, the main problem is the presence of β-ODAP neurotoxin, and a safe use of grass pea cannot be assured in these conditions. This Chapter also explains common culinary methods for the safe consumption of grass pea-based foods by the chemical angle.