FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON “RECENT TRENDS IN LATHYRUS SATIVUS RESEARCH”
November 8–9, 2012
National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad, India
About Lathyrus sativus
Lathyrus sativus
(khesari dhal) is a well known food crop since time immemorial. It was
cultivated and consumed all over the world before its harmful effects
came to light. Neurolathyrism is a disease of motor neuron degeneration
associated with excessive consumption of khesari dhal for 2-3 months.
â-ODAP a structural analogue of glutamate but a conformational analogue
of tyrosine has been implicated as the causative agent present in
khesari dhal. Pathological hallmarks of this disease include
degeneration of motor neurons in cortex region of brain resultin g in
spastic paraparesis of hind limbs.Over the years there has been
significant research in exploring the route of motor neuron
degeneration. Excitotoxicity mediated by â-ODAP, mitochondrial electron
transport chain inhibition (ETC), oxidative stress, lack of sulphur
containing amino acids, inhibition of ã-glutamyl cysteine synthetase,
and tyrosine amino transferase and an activator of protein kinase C have
been implicated in the pathogenesis of Lathyrism. However, conclusive
evidence still remains elusive.
Lathyrus sativus
is a rich source of protein, carbohydrate, arginine and non protein
amino acid homoarginine, which makes it versatile when compared to other
available pulses. Arginine and homoarginine are substrates for nitric
oxide production. Presence of arginine and homoarginine at high level in
khesari dal helps in enhancing bioavailability of nitric oxide and
promotes endothelial function by vasodilation. Apart from this both
arginine and possibly homoarginine are known insulin secretagogues.
Presently, there is a radical shift in the perception of the scientific
community about Lathyrus, in unraveling its beneficial effects, as there
is ample scope to turn it in to a highly useful food crop. The levels
of â-ODAP can be reduced to very low levels using several detoxification
methods as well as genetic modification so that, it can be used as
highly beneficial food supplement and even its cost effectiveness can
also be a great boon to millions of starving people all over the world.
The proposed International Conference is aimed at converging all
researchers' viz. agriculturists, farmers, biomedical scientists,
toxicologists, clinicians, food and feed technologists etc. on one
platform to discuss the issue and formulate strategies in developing
technologies to make better use of the ever receding resources.
Topics:
The conference enables participants to present a wide range of topics
concerning medical, chemical, biochemical, analytical, toxicological,
agricultural, detoxification, ODAP, homoarginine and other aspects of
Lathyrus sativus.
All correspondence regarding the conference should be addressed to
Dr. Arjun. L. Khandare Organizing Secretary
Scientist ‘E’, FDTRC
National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR
Jamia-Osmania PO, Hyderabad-500007, A.P, India
Email ID: alkhandare.lathyrus2012@gmail.com,dirnin_hyd@yahoo.co.in
Phone No. +91 40 27197325/380, Fax: 0914027019074, Mobile: 09160040377
