Indian J. Vet. Pathol.

, 32 (1): 47-51, 2008

Haematobiochemical changes in Jatropha deoiled seed cake

(Jatropha curcas) induced toxicity in broiler chicken
and their amelioration
P. Sirisha, A. Anand Kumar*, B. Padmaja and M. Lakshman
College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030
[Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati, A.P.]

ABSTRACT
Sirisha, P, Anand kumar, A. Padmaja, B. and Lakshman M. (2008). Haematobiochemical changes in Jatropha deoiled seed cake
(Jatropha curcas) induced toxicity in broiler chicken and their amelioration. Indian J. Vet. Pathol., 32(1): 47-51.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the toxic effects of 5 per cent Jatropha deoiled seed cake [JSC] on
haematobiochemical parameters in broiler chicken and their amelioration. JSC was fed to two groups for 6 weeks at different
intervals and ameliorative agents, activated charcoal @ 0.1 % and gentian violet @ 0.05% were fed to four groups at different
intervals for 6 weeks. Mortality was 10 per cent in toxin fed groups. There was significant (P<0.05) decrease in haematological
values such as haemoglobin [Hb], packed cell volume [PCV], total leucocyte count [TLC] and total erythrocyte count [TEC].
The biochemical assays showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in total protein, albumin, globulin, and HDL cholesterol
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values, while significant (P<0.05) increase in alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], creatinine, A/G ratio,
bilirubin, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the toxin fed groups. There was considerable amelioration in groups fed
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with activated charcoal and gentian violet.

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Keywords: Amelioration, haematobiochemical changes, Jatropha deoiled seed cake, toxicity

INTRODUCTION study was designed to evaluate haematobiochemical

In India, the poultry industry competes for feed
resources with humans. Feed cost in poultry produc-
tion accounts for 65-80% of the production costs. Soya
bean and sunflower meal, the major protein sources
in poultry ration, are facing consistent increase in
market prices. Unfortunately, soybean and sunflower
production is adversely affected by frequent
droughts. Competition and drought-induced short-
ages indicated a dire need for a scientific search for a
suitable and alternative or substitute to soybean that
thrives well in the semi-arid climatic environment
and poor soils.
Jatropha curcas is commonly known as physic nut
or purging nut belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae.
J. curcas seed cake left after extraction of oil is pres-
ently used as fertilizer. This, being rich in crude pro-
tein15•16 has the potential to be used as a livestock feed.
However, the seed and oil were found to be toxic to
chicken, calves, sheep, goat, mice, rats, fish and also
humans at various levels l ,2A-6,1O-14,17.
None of the methods adopted were proved to
be successful in eliminating the antimetabolic and
toxic principles completely even after extraction of
the oil. The oil also needs to be detoxified. The present
*Corresponding author
changes due to jatropha deoiled seed cake at 5% in
replacement with sunflower cake in the feed induced
toxicity and the ameliorative effects of activated char-
coal and gentian violet in broiler chicken.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and eighty specific pathogen free
(SPF), healthy day-old chicks (Vencobb strain), pro-
cured from Venkateshwara Hatcheries, Hyderabad,
were divided into nine groups as per the experimen-
tal design given below.
Jatropha cake, pressed in the expeller, was pro-
cured from Tamilnadu and was mixed thoroughly
in the control feeds in required concentrations for
groups - II, III, V, VI, VIII and IX. Activated charcoal
(Finar Chemicals, Ahmedabad, India) at the rate of
0.1 per cent and gentian violet (Qualigens, Mumbai,
India) at the rate of 0.05 per cent were added to the
control diets for groups - IV, V, VI and VII, VIII, IX
for amelioration. Experimental diets were given to
each group for a period of 6 weeks/42 days, when
the experiment was terminated.
Group I: Control feed (CF) (0-42 days)
Group II: CF + 5% Jatropha deoiled seed cake
USC) replacing sunflower cake (0-42
days)
 48 Sirisha et al.

Group III: CF (0-14days) followed by CF + 5% JSC RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

(15-42 days)
Group IV: CF + 0.1% Activated charcoal (AC) (0-
42 days)
Group V: CF + 5% JSC + 0.1% A C (0-42days)
Group VI: CF (0-14days) followed by CF+5% JSC
+ 0.1% A C (15-42 days)
Group VII: CF + 0.05% gentian violet (GV) (0-42
days)
Group VIII: CF + 5% JSC+0.05% GV (0-42 days)
Group IX: CF (0-14days) followed by CF + 5%
JSC+ 0.05% G,V (15-42 days)
Six birds from each group from 2nd week to 6th
week were randomly selected and sacrificed at fort-
nightly intervals. Blood from each bird was collected
directly from the heart prior to sacrifice, taking all
precautionary measures, in sterile vials containing
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Mortality: Of 40 birds belonging to the toxin groups
(II and III), 4 (10%) birds died at 29th and 36th day. In
earlier studies higher mortality in broilers fed with
higher levels of boiled jatropha seeds were
observed3,12,13 with no deaths in chicks fed with 0.5%
of Jatropha seed cake for two weeks earlier. The
mortality might possibly be attributed to nutritional
deficiencies and chronic toxicity. In other groups,
mortality was not recorded, which suggested the
protective action of activated charcoal and gentian
violet.
Haematological changes: The estimated PCV, Hb,
TEC and TLC values were found decreased
significantly (P<0.05) in groups II and III birds in
comparison to the chicks of the control groups (I, IV
and VII) (Table 1). The reports of various workers in
chicks3,7,12,13 and pigs8 supported the present findings.

EDTA and for serum in vacutainers. The whole blood

The reduction in the PCV, Hb, TEC and TLC values
samples were subjected to the following
in the toxin fed groups might be due to haemolytic
haematological parameters - packed cell volume
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factor in the Jatropha seed3 • Decline in PCV values

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[PCV], haemoglobin [Hb], total erythrocyte count
[TEC] and total leucocyte count [TLC]. The stored
serum samples were subjected to the following bio-
chemical assays spectrophotometrically. Total protein
and albumin, creatinine, aspartate transminase,
alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides,
high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL choles-
terol] and bilirubin using standard kits. The recorded
data on various haematological and biochemical pa-
rameters were analysed statistically by two way
analysis of variance18 •
with an increase in jatropha seed meal in the diet
might be attributed to blood loss or destruction of
erythrocytes as also reported in pigs8•
The ameliorative groups (V, VI, VIII and IX)
showed significant (P<0.05) increases in PCV, Hb,
TEC and TLC values with respect to toxin fed groups.
The improvement of haematological parameters in
the ameliorative groups might be due to inhibition
of hemolytic factor of activated charcoal and gentian
violet, thus counteracting the adverse effect of
jatropha deoiled seed cake.

Table 1. Haematological parameters in different groups of birds

Groups Parameters (Mean ± S.E.)
PCV (%) Hb (g%) TEC(106/Cmm) TLC(103/Cmm)

28.86±O.SOc 1O.04±O.34d 3.99±O.l1 f 31.44±O.74f

II 21.86±O.66a 7.21±O.11" 2.11±O.osa 21.52±0.5Sa
III 23.26±1.01a 7.94±O.44b 2.44±O.14b 24.06±1.34b
IV 29.93±O.43c 1O.20±O.28d 3.88±O.18ef 32.13±0.47f
V 26.26±O.39b 8.60±O.26c 3.47±O.13 cd 2S.3l±O.66c
VI 26.46±O.Sl b 8.7S±O.26c 3.62±O.08 d 27.1S±O.60d
VII 27.40±O.S4c 9.93±O.34d 3.70±O.lOde 30.04±O.61 e
VIII 2S.20±O.52b 8.64±O.17c 3.2S±O.06c 24.92±0.40bc

IX 26.13±O.44b 8.66±O.26c 3.S2±O.06d 27.21±O.60d

Means bearing common superscripts do not differ significantly (P<O.OS)
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Table 2. Biochemical parameters in different groups of birds

Groups Parameters (Mean±S.E.)
Total Albumin Globulin A/G Alanine Aspartate Creat- Bilirubin Total HDt Trigly-
Protein (g%) (g%) Ratio Tansa- Tansa- inine (mg%) Chole- Chole- cerides
(g%) minase minase (mg%) sterol sterol (mg%)
(lUlL) (lUlL) (mg%) (mg%)
3.80 2.05 1.75 1.16 19.64 115.84 0.26 1.00 134.15 31.99 83.04
±0.16h ±O.12f ±O.lOe ±0.10a ±0.96a ±1.55a ±0.05a ±0.06a ±1.86a ±1.40d ±2.47a
......
P>
II 2.50 1.50 1.00 1.50 61.71 128.63 2.73 2.26 233.12 14.20 134.87 ::r
±0.06a ±0.05 a ±0.06 a ±0.18f ±1.42d ±0.78e ±0.32e ±0.16e ±4.87f ±0.96 a ±2.83e 0
'"Cl
::r
P>
III 2.67 1.58 1.08 1.48 41.87 122.30 1.67 2.01 184.56 17.51 116.68 P.
It>
±0.12 b ±0.02b ±0.12a ±0.32e ±4.42c ±0.64cd ±O.l1 d ±0.10d ±12.68e ±1.45b ±6.82d
~p.
IV 3.69 2.02 1.67 1.22 21.62 116.35 0.27 0.94 133.02 31.05 84.42 [J>
It>
±O.13f ±O.lOf ±O.l1 d ±O.13 b ±0.94a ±1.47b ±0.05a ±0.13 a ±2.72a ±1.39 d ±2.01 a It>
P.
V 2.96 1.26 n
1.83 1.43 35.60 119.64 1.23 1.35 159.03 21.25 104.90 P>
~
±0.17c ±O.l1 d ±0.15 b ±0.19d ±1.20b ±1.19 b ±O.13 c ±0.08 c ±6.77b ±0.67c ±4.09c It>

8'
VI 3.30 1.91 1.38 1.38 32.16 118.69 0.70 1.14 154.56 22.18 95.83 ><
±0.0ge
5:
±O.lOe ±0.08C ±O.13 C ±2.98b ±1.36b ±0.09b ±0.28b ±5.30b ±0.87C ±5.06b ~
P>
VII 3.72 2.04 1.68 1.21 20.45 118.06 0.29 1.02 136.49 33.54 83.83 ::l
p.
±O.lOg ±O.lOf ±O.lOd ±0.16 b ±0.65 a ±1.17b ±0.06a ±0.12a ±2.41" ±1.18e ±2.25 a P>
S
~
VIII 3.00 1.77 1.22 1.44 39.46 121.78 1.26 1.40 166.66 20.79 104.69 o'
..,
±0.16c ±0.05 c ±O.13 b ±0.12d ±1.75 b ±0.73cd ±O.13 c ±O.lOc ±7.11 c ±0.89c ±4.01 c P>
;to
0
IX 3.10 1.82 1.27 1.43 33.20 120.10 0.92 1.14 152.46 22.48 99.05 ::l

±0.12 d ±0.05 d ±0.10b ±0.36d ±2.74b ±1.61 c ±0.12 b ±0.10 b ±7.95 b ±0.69c ±4.85 b
Means bearing common superscripts did not differ significantly (P<0.05)

>I:>
'0
 50 Sirisha et al.
Biochemical changes: Total serum protein, albumin
and globulin were found decreased significantly
(P<0.05) in JSC fed groups (Table 2). These findings
were in agreement with the earlier reports in
chicks3,7,l1-13, calves, sheep and goats 1,4,s. The decrease
in total serum proteins, albumin and globulin might
be attributed to hepatotoxicity and liver insufficiency
as also reported by previous workers1,4,s. The amel-
iorative groups chicks showed increased levels of
total serum proteins in comparison to the chicks of
the toxin groups. This might be due to protective ac-
tion of activated charcoal and gentian violet against
hepatic damage. The calculated mean AIG Ratio was
significantly (P<0.05) increased in the toxin fed
groups compared with the other groups. In the amel-
iorative groups, an improvement was observed in
comparison to the toxin groups indicating normal
liver functional activity.
Significant (P<0.05) increases in ALT, AST and
bilirubin levels (Table 2) were observed in JSC fed
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groups which might be attributed to liver damage
though ALT activity and bilirubin levels were not
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altered. However, an increase in AST levels was re-
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ported by earlier workers in broilers 1o-13, calves, sheep
and goats1.4,s. The ameliorative groups showed sig-
nificant (P<0.05) decreases in ALT, AST and bilirubin
levels as compared to groups II and III, but these were
higher than those in the control groups (I, IV and
VII), which could be attributed to improved func-
tioning of liver.
Significantly (P<0.05) higher creatinine levels
were noted in groups II and III chicks in comparison
to those of other groups (Table 2). The increase in
creatinine suggested muscle damage and subsequent
degradation of muscle phosphocreatinine3 and fail-
ure of filtration process by tubules of kidneys. In ac-
tivated charcoal supplemented groups (V and VI) lit-
tle lower values were recorded in comparison to the
groups VIII and IX that were supplemented with gen-
tian violet only. This might be attributed to better pro-
tective action of activated charcoal than the gentian
violet against the muscle and kidney damage, which
resulted in proper filtration of toxic residues through
kidney tubules.
Total cholesterol and serum triglycerides were
found increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups II
and III together with significant decrease in HDL
cholesterol level in comparison to other groups (Ta-
ble 2). In the ameliorative groups (V, VI, VIII and
IX), decreased levels of total cholesterol, serum
triglycerides and increased levels of HDL cholesterol
with respect to toxin fed groups were recorded. The
jatropha seed cake was reported to be hepatotoxic,
enterotoxic and nephrotoxic in chicks3,l0-13 calves,
sheep and goats 1.4,s. Damage to liver might lead to
disturbances of carbohydrate and fat metabolism re-
sulting in increase in total cholesterol, triglycerides
in the toxin fed groups.
The ameliorative groups showed decrease in lev-
els of total cholesterol and serum triglycerides and
increase in levels of HDL cholesterol, indicating im-
proved activity of liver.
Thus, the present study indicated that activated
charcoal@O.l%wasmoreeffectiveincomparison to
gentian violet @0.05% in counteracting the toxicity
of jatropha deoiled seed cake at 5% level. Further
studies are recommended to explore the possibility
of use of jatropha seed cake commercially in the poul-
try feeds.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Authors are thankful to Sri Venkateswara Vet-
erinary University for providing the facilities and fi-
nancial support to carry out this work.
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