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Picture Courtesy: https://www.smartfood.org/project/miracle-millet-say-k-for-kodo/

Context:

Consumption of Kodo millet led to the death of 10 wild elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. 

What is Kodo Millet?

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is also known as ‘Kodra’ and ‘Varagu’ in India. It is a staple food for many tribal and economically weaker sections.

It grows well in tropical and subtropical regions. It is a drought resistant crop with high yield potential and excellent storage properties.

It is mainly cultivated in arid and semiarid regions in India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and parts of West Africa. 

According to a 2020 research paper, ‘Nutritional, Functional Role of Kodo Millet and its Processing: A review’, Kodo millet is believed to have originated in India and Madhya Pradesh is one of the largest producers of the crop, also cultivated in Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and parts of Tamil Nadu. 

It is well known for its health benefits due to the presence of minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.  Researchers also claim that it is gluten-free, easy to digest, and “might have anti-carcinogenic properties.”

Why Do Kodo Millets Become Toxic?

According to a 2023 research paper ‘Potential Risk of Cyclopiazonic Acid Toxicity in Kodua Poisoning’, Mycotoxin contamination, mainly cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), in the Kodo Millet arises under specific conditions mainly during the spring and summer season. 

The Indian Medical Gazette in 1922 recorded the earliest known cases of Kodo Millet poisoning. A 1983 research paper, ‘Diversity in Kodo Millet’, documented for the first time the death of elephants from eating kodo millet.

High levels of moisture and fungal infections are the main reason behind parasitic fungus ‘Claviceps purpurea’,  that grows in the ear heads of various blades of grass, most frequently on kodo millet. Consumption of such grains can result in poisoning.

Claviceps purpurea is an ergot fungus that grows on the ears of rye and related cereal and forage plants. Consumption of grains or seeds contaminated with the survival structure of this fungus can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals.

Once infected, the Kodo millet grain becomes a carrier of CPA, a toxic compound that resists many food processing treatments, therefore, food products made from contaminated Millet carry the toxins and put humans and animals at risk when consumed. 

Symptoms of poisoning generally show neurological and cardiovascular distress with symptoms such as vomiting, tremor and ultimately unconsciousness. It also affects heart and liver performance. 

Way Forward

To prevent the poisoning of Kodo millets a combination of proactive measures in cultivation, storage and processing need to be adopted.

Use of biocontrol agents by introducing organisms that control fungal growth can help to mitigate the development of mycotoxins. 

Post harvest handling of grains is important.  Sorting and storing grains in airtight containers can minimize fungal growth. Ensuring that the harvested Millet is kept dry and avoiding traditional practices that involve moisturizing can reduce mycotoxin levels. 

Traditional fungal detection methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography are accurate but time consuming. Many new faster and cost-effective methods are available for on-site testing of mycotoxin contamination, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), lateral flow assays (LFAs) and biosensors.

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Source: 

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the Kodo millet: 1. It is a staple food for many tribal and economically weaker sections. 2. It is gluten-free, and is rich in vitamins and minerals. 3. Cyclopiazonic acid in the kodo millet seeds causes kodo poisoning. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: Kodo millet is a staple diet for many tribal and economically disadvantaged communities in India. It is one of the "hardiest crops, drought tolerant with high yield potential and excellent storage properties. Statement 2 is correct: Kodo millet is high in vitamins and minerals. They are gluten-free, easily digestible, high in antioxidants, and "might have anti-carcinogenic properties.” The presence of dietary fiber in the seed coat of millet grains is beneficial to human health which affects several metabolic and digestive processes, such as effects on glucose absorption and cholesterol levels. Statement 3 is correct:  Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) is one of the major mycotoxins associated with kodo millet seeds, causing kodo poisoning. The poisoning is mainly caused by the consumption of kodo grains during maturing and harvesting, resulting in fungal infections and causing "poisoned kodo"