The djenkol (jenghol) bean is a popular food in Indonesia that can result in chronic renal failure (djenkolism) if chronically ingested.
Tree: Pithecolobium lobatum
Distribution: Indonesia
Varieties of bean:
(1) brown seed resembling a horse chestnut
(2) smaller black and flat
The beans may be eaten raw, boiled, fried or roasted.
Toxin: probably djenkolic acid (an amino acid). In alkaline urine djenkolic acid is soluble. In acid urine it will crystallize in the renal tubules. Some patients develop acute tubular necrosis and/or interstitial nephritis.
Clinical findings:
(1) disagreeable odor due to volatile sulfur compounds
(2) colicky pain in the groin and suprapubic region
(3) vomiting
(4) diarrhea
(5) dysuria
(6) chronic renal dysfunction with oliguria/anuria and crystalluria
The relationship between bean ingestion and symptoms is highly variable. Not everyone who eats the beans gets sick. A person who does get sick may not get sick each time the beans are eaten.
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