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Fatal Outbreaks of Burkholderia gladioli Pathovar cocovenenans Bongkrekic Acid Food Poisoning: A Mitochondrial Toxin and Potential Biological Weapon

  • Hsi Liang 1,2,   
  • Sankar Panthi 3,4,   
  • Yu-Cheng Lo 1,5,   
  • Patrick C. Y. Woo 1,6,7,*

Received: 13 May 2026 | Revised: 19 May 2026 | Accepted: 20 May 2026 | Published: 22 Jun 2026

Abstract

Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei, two well-known members of the genus Burkholderia, are considered by the CDC of the USA as potential biological weapons. Burkholderia gladioli pv. cocovenenans, though less well-known than B. mallei and B. pseudomallei, is able to produce a highly fatal mitochondrial toxin, bongkrekic acid (BKA). At least around 10,000 cases of BKA poisoning have been recorded in Indonesia, with more than 1000 deaths, most of which related to consumption of fermented coconut-based tempe. Additional outbreaks/cases have also been reported from China, Bhutan, Mozambique, the USA, and recently in Taiwan. We hypothesize that B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans and BKA is a potential biological weapon due to a number of reasons. First, B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans is not uncommonly found; and therefore, when added to food items well-reported to be associated with BKA poisoning, could mimic natural contamination. Second, B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans replicates and synthesizes the BKA readily under natural conditions. Third, BKA is heat stable and will not be inactivated through cooking. Fourth, BKA is odorless and not associated with a strong taste. Fifth, there is no known antidote for BKA poisoning. Sixth, BKA poisoning is highly fatal. Seventh, when fatal BKA poisoning is reported in an area, particularly if repeatedly, widespread terror would be formed, achieving the purpose of a terrorist attack. Although most of us start to focus our attention on future crimes and future terrorist attacks on cybercrime and cyberterrorism, the more traditional and tangible forms of bioterrorism should not be overlooked.

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DOI
10.53941/npa.2026.100009
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Volume 2, Issue 1
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Liang, H.; Panthi, S.; Lo, Y.-C.; Woo, P. C. Y. Fatal Outbreaks of Burkholderia gladioli Pathovar cocovenenans Bongkrekic Acid Food Poisoning: A Mitochondrial Toxin and Potential Biological Weapon. Natural Products Analysis 2026, 2 (1), 100009. https://doi.org/10.53941/npa.2026.100009.
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