Neurotoxic flying foxes as dietary items for the Chamorro people, Marianas Islands

J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jun 15;106(1):97-104. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.12.032. Epub 2006 Feb 7.

Abstract

Fanihi -- flying foxes (Pteropus mariannus mariannus, Pteropodidae) -- are a highly salient component of the traditional Chamorro diet. A neurotoxic, non-protein amino acid, beta-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) accumulates in flying foxes, which forage on the seeds of Cycas micronesica (Cycadaceae) in Guam's forests. BMAA occurs throughout flying fox tissues both as a free amino acid and in a protein-bound form. It is not destroyed by cooking. Protein-bound BMAA also remains in cycad flour which has been washed and prepared by the Chamorro people as tortillas, dumplings, and thickened soups. Other animals that forage on cycad seeds may also provide BMAA inputs into the traditional Chamorro diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids, Diamino / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Chiroptera*
  • Cyanobacteria Toxins
  • Cycadopsida / chemistry*
  • Cycadopsida / metabolism
  • Diet*
  • Guam
  • Humans
  • Marine Toxins
  • Neurotoxins*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Seeds / metabolism

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Diamino
  • Cyanobacteria Toxins
  • Marine Toxins
  • Neurotoxins
  • beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine