Alert on food poisoning
BONGKREKIC acid (BKA) is an extremely toxic compound known for its colourless, odourless and heat-resistant properties. This acid is synthesised by Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans, an aerobic gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium ubiquitous in water, soil, plant rhizospheres and certain animal hosts.
This bacterium and its toxin have been identified as the culprits behind the food poisoning incident at Polam Kopitiam, a Malaysian restaurant chain in Taipei, Taiwan, “Two men die of suspected food poisoning in Taipei after eating char kway teow” (The Star, March 27).
A highly toxic compound, it has the potential to contaminate a wide range of foods, including rice noodles, fermented beverages, coconuts, wood ear and black fungus mushrooms, fermented cornmeal and grains (such as glutinous rice, Japanese rice, and corn), fermented soybean residue, sweet potato flour and various other fermented products.
While BKA poisoning has been implicated in outbreaks of foodborne illness involving coconutand corn-based products in Indonesia, recent reports are highlighting a concerning expansion of cases to Africa, China, Bhutan and South-east Asia.
While no human illnesses associated with B. gladioli have been reported in Malaysia to date, research conducted by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 2022 discovered the presence of this bacterium in our rice-growing areas.
This bacterium is responsible for the bacterial panicle blight disease, which significantly affects padi crops, particularly in hot and dry climates. This disease leads to a rapid decline in yield and compromises the quality of the harvest.
Research suggests that upon consuming food contaminated with BKA, the toxin infiltrates human cell mitochondria, disrupting the function of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier.
This interference obstructs the mitochondrial cellular respiration, halting energy production, which leads to compromised cellular function and eventual cell death.
Scientific data also indicates that BKA exhibits high toxicity not only to humans but also to various animals including monkeys, rabbits, mice and pigeons.
Should these animals ingest food contaminated with BKA, they too would succumb to poisoning and eventual death.
BKA has severe effects on the body, targeting vital organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. Individuals afflicted with BKA poisoning endure symptoms ranging from weakness and dizziness to severe abdominal pain and vomiting.
In its most dire manifestations, this poisoning can prove fatal.
Unfortunately, there is currently no specific treatment for BKA poisoning, and diagnosis relies on testing food samples for the presence of the toxin itself.
Laboratories may use various sophisticated techniques, such as bacterial culture or nucleic acid analysis, to pinpoint the presence of B. gladioli.
These methods involve carefully culturing bacterial samples under controlled conditions to isolate and identify the bacterial strain.
Additionally, nucleic acid techniques, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, will enable precise detection of B. gladioli by analysing its genetic material.
By employing these advanced methodologies, scientists can accurately identify and confirm the presence of this pathogenic bacterium, aiding in the diagnosis and management of Bkarelated food contamination incidents.
Given bongkrekic acid’s resilience to high temperatures, the best way to prevent this poisoning is to avoid consumption of spoiled food products, particularly fermented ones.
Consumers should also exercise caution when purchasing food from vendors with questionable hygiene standards.
Although spices like garlic, onions, peppers or turmeric can mitigate BKA production to some extent, they cannot eradicate it entirely in the presence of large quantities of B. gladioli.
The recent emergence of BKA food poisoning cases highlights the urgency of prioritising food safety.
This requires not only stricter regulations by the authorities but also a commitment from businesses to implement rigorous food hygiene practices to protect consumers.