The range of steroidal saponins of palmyrah flour: could they contribute to toxic effect on consumers

Abstract

The shoot flour (Odiyal) of the Palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer) is a starchy staple in the North of Sri Lanka, despite showing evidence of bioactivity and toxicity in animal and in-vitro studies. It appeared possible that the flabelliferins (steroidal saponins) could play some role in some of the reported toxicities. It was decided to separate the flabelliferins by medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and preparative thin layer thromatography (TLC). In all, 9 flabelliferins were isolated, 6 of which were found to be similar to those previously separated from palmyrah fruit pulp, as judged by Rf on TLC, MPLC eluent gradients and hydrolytic product pattern ofnarmginase. The bitter flabelliferin on palmyrah flour differed from that of fruit pulp and was closely associated with a primary amine. This combination showed neurotoxic effects on Wistar rats.