ABSTRACT

An experiment was carried out to determine the acute toxicity/lethal dose and the tolerance level of raw castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) extract on broilers. The seed were ground, defatted with petroleum ether and the residue was subjected to extracted with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The extracts volume equivalents of six doses (Og/kg), 4g/kg, 9g/kg, 14g/kg, 19g/kg and 24g/kg) were determined and then given by oral drenching to thirty 6-week old broilers, averaging 500-600g. There were 5 birds per treatment. The drenched birds were left in their respective pens with access to feed and water and observed for 48 hours. Few minutes after the administration of the extracts dizziness was observed followed by diarrhoric droppings. The intensity increased with increase in tho doses. After 12 hours, two birds died in treatment 2 and four in treatment 3 while all the birds in treatments 4, 5 and 6 died. At the end of 48 hours, a bird each from treatments 2 and 3 died bringing the total percent mortality to 60% and 100% respectively. This implies that Ricinus communis is acutely toxic with LDo that is close to 4g of seed per kg body weight. This also means that the tolerance level of broiler birds for raw Ricinus communis is about 4000 parts per million (ppm)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Figures

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Origin and Distribution

2.2 Chemical Composition of Castor oil Bean

2.3 Antinutritional Factors and Toxins in Castor oil bean

2.4 Lectins

2.5 Ricin

2.5.1 Physical and Chemical Characteristics and Structure of Ricin

2,5.2 Mechanism of Ricin Toxin

2.5.3 Exposure-Effect Relationship

2.6 Ricinus Communis Agglutinin (RCA)

2.7 Hydrogen Cyanide and Oxalates

2.7.1 Chemical and Physical Properties of Hydrogen Cyanide

2.8 Ricinine

2.9 Castor Allergen

2. IO Castor Oil

2.10.1 Extraction of Castor Oil

2.11 Lethal Toxicity of Ricinus Communis Seed

2.12 Castor Oil Bean as a Feedstuff

2.13 Detoxification of Castor Oil Bean

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3 .1 Management of Experimental Birds

3.2 Preparation of Extracts

3.3 Determination of Concentration of the Extract

3.4 Calculation of Volume of Extract to be Given to Each Bird

3.5 Administration of the extract

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Conclusion

4.2 Recommendation

Reference

Table2.

Table2.2:

Table3.l:

LIST OF TABLES

The chemical composition of oilseed meals (% DM) 6

Properties ofHCN 14

Corresponding Volume of Ricinus communis extract given the.

birds according to their body weight 25

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 2.1: Structure of Ricin 6

Fig. 2.2: Chemical Synonym ofRicinine ns 3-cyano-4-methoxy-N-methyl-2-

pyridone ·16

Fig. 4.1: Mortality Rate against time (hrs) after the Administration of Extract 28

Fig. 4.2: Mortality (%) against Dosage Levels (g) of the Extract Administered 30