Toxic Effect of Powdered Castor Oil Seed (Ricinus Communis L.) on Roof Rat

Abstract

The powder of castor oil seed of (Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae) was used in a Laboratory experiment for its toxicity. The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of powdered castor oil seed (Ricinus communis L.) on roof rat. Forty five roof rat were caught and divided into three (3) groups, there were five (5) roof rat in a cage which represent a group, replicated three (3) times were used in the study. The castor oil seed was turned to powdery form using pestle and mortal to grind the seeds. Three feed formulations were used; A baited formulation of powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.5; Another baited powdered castor oil seed plus fried fish at ratio 1:0.1; The third group were given a commercial rat feed only which serve as control. These feeds were administered to each group of the roof rat and their behaviors were properly monitored over a period of five (5) days. The histology of the kidney, liver, spleen, which was initially preserved in formalin were later analysed. The results showed that a powdered castor oil seed baited with fried fish can serve as rodenticide and all test groups show histological features of lethal tissue damage in all the organs examined while control group shows normal tissue.

Key words: Toxic effect, Castor oil seed, Roof rat, kidney, liver, spleen, feed.