Adulteration of Mustard Cooking Oil with Argemone Oil: Do Indian Food Regulatory Policies and Antioxidant Therapy Both Need Revisitation?

Abstract

Consumption of adulterated mustard oil (Brassica nigra) with argemone oil (Argemone mexicana) even for a short duration leads to a clinical condition referred as epidemic dropsy. In humans, argemone oil contained in adulterated mustard oil causes oxidative stress and death of red blood cells via met-hemoglobin formation by altering pyridine nucleotide(s) and glutathione redox potential. Argemone oil contamination poses a serious threat to human health and should be checked by appropriate regulatory measures. Antioxidant therapy provides symptomatic relief and should be seriously considered for therapeutic interventions against argemone oil toxicity.