TOXIN
A substance produced within living organisms and cells which are poisonous and are capable of causing diseases are called toxins. This term was first used by an organic chemist Ludwig Brieger. These toxins are considered separately since they are from different origins.
PLANT TOXINS
Recently, a research shows that common plant toxins have been found in smoke from forest fires affect human health and the ecosystem. These toxins are called the alkaloids- found in a plant known as the Ponderosa pines as it burns. A variety of natural compounds released from the plant matter has been seen through tiny particles. This is said to be one of the many plant toxins that may pose harm to mankind. Other plant toxins include: cyanogens found in Cassava roots, gossypol from cotton seeds and phyto- oestrogens that are usually found in clover and soybeans, amanita phalloides from mushrooms. These toxins can cause diseases of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, nervous system, reproductive system and the liver.
ANIMAL TOXINS
With the diverse types of naturally occurring toxins of the animals, the orion proteins of the mammalian meat and bone meal recently emerged as essential food contaminants. A harmless animal tissue components having the capacity to transform themselves to become agents that can possibly cause fatal neurological lesions in a wide range species. The bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a major disease of cattle in the United Kingdom has become significant in identifying these prions. As to this is the human equivalent - new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). The incidence of vCJD in humans has been linked to the consumption of BSE-infected beef. Other examples of toxins from animals include: insects, snakes, lizards, fish and frogs, and the commonly known arachnids- spiders, ticks and scorpions.
Note: BE AWARE OF THE PLANTS OR ANIMALS THAT YOU EAT!
