Dropsy is a disease caused due to adulteration in

Epidemic dropsy is a clinical condition caused by the consumption of mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil. Argemone oil is extracted from the seeds of Argemone mexicana, a weed that produces spherical, blackish-brown seeds remarkably similar to mustard seeds. This similarity leads to both accidental and intentional adulteration of mustard oil. The toxic alkaloids present in argemone oil, such as sanguinarine, cause oxidative stress, damage to red blood cells, and severe health issues including liver and kidney disorders. Historically, a major outbreak of epidemic dropsy was reported in Kolkata in 1877. While mustard oil is a primary cooking medium in India, its contamination with argemone oil remains a significant public health threat, requiring strict regulatory measures and antioxidant therapy for symptomatic relief in affected individuals [1].

Sources

1. [1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11751471/