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Kodo Millet and Elephant’s Death
Context:
The recent deaths of ten wild elephants from a herd of 13 in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve have raised concerns regarding the potential link to kodo millet poisoning.
More on News:
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) has suggested that the deaths could be due to mycotoxins associated with Kodo millet, a crop commonly grown in the region.
The death of the elephants in Bandhavgarh is believed to be caused by mycotoxins from infected Kodo millet, possibly consumed by the elephants while foraging. Fungi like ergot, which produce cyclopiazonic acid, commonly affect grains like Kodo millet. The elephants’ symptoms likely matched the clinical signs of Kodo poisoning, including gastrointestinal distress and cardiovascular dysfunction.
About Kodo millet:
- Scientific Name: Paspalum scrobiculatum
- Common Names: Kodo millet is also known as Kodra and Varagu in India.
- Environmental Suitability: It thrives in arid and semi-arid regions and is considered a staple food for many tribal communities and economically disadvantaged groups.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: It is a drought-resistant, hardy crop grown primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in India which is one of the largest producers.
- Especially in states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu..
- Cultivation Regions: Grown in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and West Africa.
- Nutritional Benefits: It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and is gluten-free.
- It is known for its digestive benefits, including high fibre content that aids in managing glucose absorption and cholesterol levels.
- Culinary Uses: Popular dishes made from Kodo millet include idli, dosa, papad, chakli, Porridges, and Rotis.
The Risk of Kodo Millet Poisoning:
- Fungal Infections: Kodo millet can become toxic when the grains are infected with fungi due to moist environmental conditions (e.g., rainfall during the harvesting period).
- This leads to the production of mycotoxins, such as cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), which are harmful to both humans and animals.
- Mycotoxins and Toxicity: Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), identified as the primary mycotoxin in kodo millet, is known to cause poisoning, referred to as kodua poisoning. The affected millet grains are called “Matawna Kodoo” in northern India.
Impact on Animals:
- Elephants are highly susceptible to Kodo poisoning, and the symptoms include:
- Neurological symptoms: Vomiting, dizziness, unconsciousness, tremors, and loss of coordination.
- Cardiovascular symptoms: Heart dysfunction, including myocardial lesions and impaired calcium signalling, leading to cardiac damage.
- Gastrointestinal effects: Inflammation and damage to the digestive tract, leading to nausea and potential organ failure.
Historical Cases of Kodo Millet Poisoning:
- 1922: The first recorded instances of kodo millet poisoning occurred in India in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh when several humans and animals suffered after consuming bread made from kodo millet flour.
- 1985: The link between CPA and kodo millet poisoning was established in a study that documented elephant deaths from ingesting contaminated millet.
- Recent Deaths: In 2022, an elephant in Madhya Pradesh also died due to kodo millet poisoning.
- The recent deaths of 10 elephants over three days have raised fresh concerns, especially given the favourable environmental conditions for fungal growth this year.
The Solution to Kodo Toxicity:
- Biocontrol agents: Using organisms to combat fungal growth and reduce mycotoxin production.
- Improved agricultural practices: Ensuring proper post-harvest management of Kodo millet, including sorting and storing the millet in airtight conditions to prevent fungal contamination.
- Moisture management: Protecting harvested crops from rain and ensuring they are properly dried before storage.
- Identification: Using advanced chemical trace analysis methods, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry, to detect mycotoxins before consumption.
- Scientists use tools like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and biosensors for faster, on-site detection of mycotoxins.
