Jowar is pellogerogenic due to excess of –
## **Core Concept**
Jowar, also known as sorghum, is a cereal grain that can be pellagrogenic, meaning it can cause pellagra, a disease resulting from niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency. The underlying principle here involves the biochemical composition of jowar and its effect on niacin metabolism or availability in the body.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Leucine**, is implicated in the pellagrogenic effect of jowar. Leucine is an amino acid found in high amounts in jowar. It interferes with the metabolism of tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted into niacin in the body. When leucine levels are high, it promotes the excretion of kynurenine, a tryptophan metabolite that could otherwise be converted into niacin. As a result, even if tryptophan and niacin are present in the diet, the high leucine content in jowar can lead to a functional niacin deficiency, causing pellagra.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** Not specified, but assuming it's an incorrect biochemical compound, it's wrong because it doesn't accurately represent the substance responsible for the pellagrogenic effect in jowar.
- **Option B:** Similarly, without the specific content, we can infer it's incorrect because it doesn't correctly identify leucine as the compound interfering with niacin metabolism.
- **Option C:** This option is also incorrect for the same reason; it does not accurately represent leucine.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that pellagra is classically described by the "four Ds": diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and potentially death if left untreated. The association of jowar consumption with pellagra, particularly in regions where jowar is a staple food, highlights the importance of dietary diversity and awareness of the biochemical interactions between different nutrients.
## **Correct Answer:** . Leucine