Fatal 3-Nitropropionic Acid Poisoning after Consuming Coconut Water

Abstract

We describe the fatal course of a patient with initial symptoms of vomiting and nausea who developed symptoms of dystonia, encephalopathy, and coma. The cause of death was poisoning with 3-nitropropionic acid from coconut water spoiled with the fungus Arthrinium saccharicola. We present the clinical findings and forensic analysis.

Keywords

• poisoning
• 3-nitropropionic acid
• coconut
• fungi
• Arthrinium saccharicola