Evaluation of Growth Performance and Hepatic Histological Changes in Albino Rats Fed Varying Levels of Differently Treated Castor Bean Cake Based Diets

Forty eight weaned albino rats were used to determine the growth and hepatic histological response of Albino rats fed varying levels of detoxified castor bean cake based diets. There were 12 treatments, with four rats per treatment arranged in a 4 x 3 experimental layout (four processing methods (Boiling, Lye, Roasting and Germination) and three levels of inclusion (0, 5% and 10%). The animals were individually housed in small fabricated cages. Results showed that the processing methods affected the chemical profile of castor bean cake. There was a short fall in energy values of treated castor bean cake compared to raw bean. The crude protein of the lye treated, boiled, and roasted CBC fell while antinutritional factors were better deactivated by boiling and lye treatment. Boiling and lye treatment were able to achieve about 43% and 55% reduction of lectin (ricin) respectively and this was translated in the higher feed consumption and better (P < 0.05) weight gain in rat fed on diet containing 5% lye CBC and 5%boiled CBC compared to others on CBC based diets. Performance parameters measure were not jeopardised by feeding lye treated and boiled CBC up to 10%. The histological changes observed ranges from mild congestion, cellular infiltration and necrosis of the cell in the liver, an indication of substantial residual toxin in processed seed. In this study. lye water was most effective in detoxifying castor bean seeds as there were no serious damages done to the liver of rats placed on lye treated castor bean cake diets at both 5% and 10% inclusion level.