MPPSC 2024 Prelims Paper-I · Question 3 of 100

Correct — A, Kesari dal (Lathyrus sativus, the grass pea / khesari). Eating it heavily over a long period causes lathyrism (neurolathyrism) — a paralysis of the lower limbs — because the pulse contains the neurotoxin β-ODAP (β-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine, also called BOAA). It mainly affects people who rely on this cheap, drought-hardy pulse during scarcity.

• (b)Chana dal — Bengal gram — a common, safe pulse; not linked to lathyrism.
• (c)Moong dal — Green gram — a staple, easily digestible pulse; no lathyrism risk.
• (d)None of the above — Wrong — a specific pulse, kesari dal, is the established cause.

Lathyrism is a food-toxin disease — not an infection or a deficiency. The toxin β-ODAP (BOAA) in Lathyrus sativus damages motor neurons, causing spastic paralysis of the legs. It is preventable: soaking and boiling the pulse and discarding the water, or not relying on it as a staple, removes most of the toxin.

Exams group this with other food-linked disorders (aflatoxin from mouldy groundnut, fluorosis from water) — 'match the agent to the disease' is the classic pattern.

• Toxin: β-ODAP / BOAA in Lathyrus sativus (grass pea / khesari)
• Effect: neurolathyrism — spastic paralysis of the lower limbs
• Prevention: soak & boil, discard the water; avoid as a staple
• A food-toxin disease of scarcity diets

• Assuming lathyrism is a deficiency disease — it is a toxin disease
• Confusing kesari dal (Lathyrus) with chana dal

Almost always 'which pulse/food causes disease X' or the reverse. Lock the chain: kesari dal ↔ lathyrism ↔ BOAA.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The neurotoxin responsible for lathyrism is:

  • (a)BOAA (β-ODAP)
  • (b)Aflatoxin
  • (c)Ergot alkaloid
  • (d)Sanguinarine

  Answer(a) BOAA / β-ODAP.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Aflatoxin, a food contaminant linked to liver damage, is produced by:

  • (a)a virus
  • (b)a fungus (Aspergillus)
  • (c)a bacterium
  • (d)an alga

  Answer(b) a fungus, Aspergillus flavus.