Anti-quality and toxic components in some food plants consumed by humans and livestock in the South Pacific regioin: Review.

Abstract

A number of foods in the South Pacific region are rich sources of carbohydrates and proteins. Most contain anti-quality and toxic components which make them unsafe as protein and carbohydrate sources in human and livestock nutrition. The presence of saponins, haemagglutinins, tannins (total and condensed), trypsin inhibitors, cyanogenic glucoside (HCN), alkaloids and other compounds in cassava and by-products (Manihot esculenta Crantiz); cocoyams: taro or tannia (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott and Tannia (Xanthosoma); cowpeas (Vignia unguiculate Walp): banana/plantains (Musa spp): cocoa beans and cocoa husk (Theobroma cacao), coffee pulp meal (Coffee arabica) and copra meal and other coconut by-products (Cocos nucifera) are not uncommon The presence of anti-quality and toxic components make diets prepared with them unpalatable and unacceptable to humans and livestock. and interfere with nutrient bio availability and utilization Cooking drying, soaking, steeping and fermentation are simple means of detoxifying and reducing the presence of anti-quality and toxic components in these food sources