PATTERN OF LATHYRUS-SATIVUS (GRASS PEA) CONSUMPTION AND BETA-N-OXALYL-ALPHA-BETA-DIAMINOPROPRIONIC ACID (BETA-ODAP) CONTENT OF FOOD SAMPLESIN THE LATHYRISM ENDEMIC REGION OF NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Grass pea, a legume whose consumption is associated with human lathyri sm, is an important food crop among the poorer sectors of society in m any parts of Ethiopia. A nutritional survey, focussing on the preparat ion and consumption of grass pea, in 224 families of two villages of a lathyrism endemic area in northwestern Ethiopia has been undertaken. Grass pea is grown in only one of the two villages. Raw as well as coo ked food samples were collected and the levels of beta-ODAP determined by the OPT method. Grass pea foods were also prepared in the laborato ry following methods used in the villages and analyzed for their toxin level to derive information if certain procedures were capable of red ucing the level of toxin. Steeping grass pea in excess water leaches o ut ca 30% of the beta-ODAP. Grass pea bread (kitta) and roasted seeds (kollo) showed elevated levels of beta-ODAP compared to the seeds used in the preparation of these foods. Lower levels of beta-ODAP were fou nd in boiled snacks (nifro) and the flour form (shiro).