noun
- Plural of cycasin; toxic glucosides found in cycad plants that can cause neurological damage if ingested.
Usage: technical; botany; toxicology
Examples
- Cycasins are naturally occurring compounds in cycad seeds that pose a health risk to humans and animals.
- The cycasins in cycad flour must be removed through proper processing before the flour is safe to consume.
- Research has shown that cycasins can cause lathyrism, a neurological disease, in populations that consume cycad products.
- Traditional preparation methods for cycad food products are designed to leach out cycasins and reduce toxicity.