Bongkrek acid

Bongkrek acid (also known as bongkrekic acid) is a respiratory toxin produced in fermented coconut or maize contaminated by the bacterium Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans. It is a highly toxic, heat-stable, colorless, odorless, and highly unsaturated tricarboxylic acid that inhibits the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier, preventing ATP from leaving the mitochondria to provide metabolic energy to the rest of the cell. Food poisoning by bongkrek acid mainly targets the liver, brain, and kidneys. Early symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, urinary retention, abdominal pain, and excessive sweating. Most of the outbreaks are found in Indonesia and China where fermented coconut and maize-based foods are consumed.