ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
AZOJETE, September 2019. Vol. 15(3) 725-732

Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818

www.azojete.com.ng

725

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

AN ASSESSMENT OF SOME OF THE POISONOUS PLANT SPECIES TO ANIMALS
FOUND IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
A.H. Erhenhi1 and E.E. Lemy2

(1Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
2Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria)

* Corresponding author’s email address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Submitted 22 November, 2018
Revised 7 March, 2019
Accepted 10 March, 2019

Keywords:
Assessment
poisonous plants
Phytochemicals
Delta State

ABSTRACT
This study investigated some poisonous plants to animals in three
communities viz; Ebor-Orogun in Ughelli North Local Government Area;
Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area and Ozoro in Isoko
South Local Government Area, all in Delta State, Nigeria. Dried leaves,
roots and tubers of Dennettia tripetala, Cola nitida, Dracaena marginata,
Cucumis melo, Terminalia catappa, Persea americana, Manihot
esculenta, Telfaira occidentalis and Vernonia amygdalina were
grounded to coarse powders and 16g of each powder was weighed
into a conical flask. Distilled water (120cm3) was added and the
content was shaken and kept for 48hours at room temperature.
Filtration of the extract was carried out using whatman No1 filter paper
and concentrated using vacuum evaporator. Phytochemical analysis
was carried out using standard methods. The results revealed that
there were nine (9) indigenous plants with poisonous effects to animals
as reported by the community dwellers, among the selected plants and
these include: D. tripetala, C. nitida, D. marginata and C. melo, T.
catappa, P. americana, M. esculenta (tuber), T. occidentalis (root) and V.
amygdalina (root). Qualitative analysis showed the presence of alkaloid,
anthocyanines, cardiac glycoside, flavonoid, glycoside, phenol,
reducing sugar, saponin, saponin, tannin and terpenoid in low,
moderate and high level in the plants. The chemical quantification
revealed the presence of tannin (26.90%, 22.95%, 27%) in C. melo, D.
tripetala and C. nitida, saponin (13%) in N. laewis, cyanogenic glycoside
(3.24mg/l, 1.11mg/l) in M. esculenta and V. amygdalina followed by
hydrogen cyanide (0.76mg/l, 0.75mg/l, 6.41mg/l) in P. americana, T.
catappa and T. occidentalisas the major cause of poisoning in the
plants encountered.There is need for evaluation of the effects of these
substances on the organs and systems of animals in order to ascertain
the actual site of toxicity of these substances.

© 2019 Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. All rights reserved.

1.0 Introduction
Animal husbandry is one of the integral agricultural practices in different parts of the world,
although subsistent, it provides both food and income to the people. Some of the inhabitants of
these communities depend largely on these livestock for survival, hence the immense
importance of the animals in their lives. Forage crops may contain compounds that may
inadvertently affect animals (Birgit et al., 2006). In countries with higher plant biodiversity, the

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Erhenhi and Lemy: An assessment of some of the poisonous plant species to animals found in delta state, Nigeria.
AZOJETE, 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng 726

number of problematic toxic plants may be many (Welelign and Mekuriaw, 2016). However, land
used for grazing contains both native and invasive plants which increase animal exposure to
toxic plants with limited characterization (Birgit et al., 2006).

Losses recorded in animals can be heavy if animals graze in field containing toxic and poisonous
plants (USDA, 2011). Several plants of varying species and characteristics accumulate toxic
substance in different concentrations. Such plants include Amaranthus species, Solanum species
and Chenopodium species as reported elsewhere to contain some toxic nitrate at high
concentration (Puschner et al., 2006). Prevention of loss from poisonous plants in general is a
problem of range and livestock management (Pfister et al., 2002). As these plants form are
essential components of animal diets and at moderate grazing rate, they will result to no
negative effects. Consumption of these plants at excessive rate due to stress conditions and
starvation may lead to poisoning.

Diagnosing a plant poisoning can be extremely difficult. In many cases, clinical signs are
nonspecific (such as diarrhea) and post-mortem lesions are not characteristic (Gupta, 2018).
Specialized veterinary toxicology laboratories may provide testing for plant toxins, but the assays
do not cover the wide variety of plant toxins present in most countries (Gwaltney-Brant, 2016).
There has been a major interest in rate of poisoning caused by consumption of plants; this has
resulted in restriction in the consumption of certain plants by humans and animals (Assi et al.,
2016). This is a major concern to researchers and it is on this basis this study was developed. The
objective of this study is therefore to determine the species of plants poisonous to animals in
Delta State, Nigeria with a view to evaluating their chemical composition and toxicity to animals.

2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Description of study area
This study was conducted in three communities viz: Ebor-Orogun in Ughelli North Local
Government Area; Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government Area and Ozoro in Isoko South
Local Government Area, all of Delta State, Nigeria (Figure 1). Delta State covers a landmass of
about 18,050 km2 of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between
longitude 5°00 and 6°45' E. and latitude 5°00 and 6°30' N. It is bounded in the North East,
South-East and on the Southern flank by Edo State, Anambra State, Bayelsa State and Bight of
Benin respectively. The state is generally low-lying without remarkable hills. It has a wide coastal
belt inter-lace with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger-Delta. Delta state has a
population of approximately 4,098,291 (Federal Republic of Nigeria Gazette, 2007) and an
estimated area of 762km2. The state is ethnically diverse with people and different languages
spoken in the state (National Human Development Report, 2018). The whole ethnic groups that
comprise the state are administratively grouped into three senatorial districts namely Delta
North, Delta South and Delta Central and have respective human population of 1,229,074;
1,293,282 and 1,575,738. The state is made up of twenty-five local Government Areas. Different
animals including goat, dogs, sheep, pigs, birds and cattle grazes in the area.

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, September, 2019; Vol. 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng

727

Figure 1: Map of Delta State showing sampled areas
Source: Osayande et al. (2016).

2.2 Collection of Poisonous Plant
Plants with history and records of poisonous substances to animals were sorted within the
selected local communities in Delta State. Information on the poisonous nature of the plants was
obtained from the locals. All the species of plant were collected from the three different
communities. Leaves were collected using knife, stem were collected from the parent plant using
cutlass while the root and tubers were collected by uprooting the plant from the soil with the aid
of cutlass and hoe and used for analysis of major secondary metabolites.

2.3 Extraction of the Plant Materials
Fresh leaves, roots and tubers of the collected plants were washed carefully in clean running tap
water and dried at room temperature. Dried leaves were grounded to coarse powder, and 16g of
the powder was weighed into conical flask and distilled water (120cm3) was added and covered
with aluminum foil. The content was shaken and kept for 48 h at room temperature. Filtration of
the extract was carried out using whatman No1 filter paper and the filtrate was concentrated
using vacuum evaporator (Auwal et al., 2012).

2.4 Phytochemical Screening of Plant Extract
Phytochemical screening of the plants samples were carried out using a modified method of
Auwal et al. (2012). Tannins was determined by pouring 2.0 cm3 of the extract in a test tube and
diluted with 5ml distilled water. A blue black colouration was formed by adding 2 – 3 drops of
5% ferricchloride solution which indicated the presence of tannins. Flavonoids was determined in
the samples by adding 2ml of petroleum ether to 0.5g of the plant extract and shaken to remove

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Erhenhi and Lemy: An assessment of some of the poisonous plant species to animals found in delta state, Nigeria.
AZOJETE, 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng 728

the lipid layer. The residue was further dissolved in 20 cm3 of 80% ethanol and filtered. 5ml of
1% potassium hydroxide was added to 3cm3 of the filtrate in a test tube and colour change was
observed. The presence of dark yellow colouration indicated the presence of flavonoids. Alkaloid
was determined by adding 2 -3 drops of Dragendoff’s and Mayer’s reagents to 10 cm3 of the
aqueous extract in 2 separate test tubes. The presence of orange red precipitate/turbidity with
Dragendoff’s and white precipitates with Mayer’s indicated the presence of alkaloids. Cardiac
glycoside was determined as follows. 5 cm3 of the aqueous extract was mixed with 2 cm3 of
glacial acetic acid containing one drop of ferricchloride (FeCl3) solution. This was followed by the
addition of 1 cm3 concentrated Sulphuric acid. The presence of brown ring at the interface
indicated the presence of glycoside. Test for saponins was carried out as follows. 0.5g of
grounded plant material was poured into a test tube and 5 cm3 of water was added and shaken.
Saponin was indicated by persistent froth for about 15 min.

2.5 Statistical Analysis
The results obtained from the different analysis were subjected to statistical analysis using
Microsoft Office Excel Version 2007 to obtain mean values. The results were presented in simple
statistical tables.

3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Identification of Poisonous Plants
Nine (9) poisonous plant species to animals were investigated within local communities in Delta
State during the study. The plants include D. tripetala, C. nitida, D. arginata and C. melo, T.
catappa, P. americana, M. esculenta, T. occidentalis and V. amygdalina.

3.2 Identification of Chemical Constituents
Different phytochemical constituents were identified from the leaves, root and tuber of these
plant species and presented in Table 1. The study showed the presence of secondary
metabolites such as alkaloid, anthocyanines, cardiac glycoside, flavonoid, glycoside, phenol,
reducing sugar, saponin, saponin, tannin and terpenoid to be present at various levels in all the
plants recorded. Although, anthocyanines was absent in D. tripetala, C. nitida, D. marginata, C.
melo, P. americana and T. catappa, glycoside was also absent in M. esculenta, T. occidentalis and
V. amygdalina. Similarly, phenol was absent in D. tripetala, C. nitida, D. and marginata, C. while
reducing sugar was relatively absent in C. melo, P. Americana, T. catappa, M. esculenta, T.
occidentalis and V. amygdalina. The study also showed that terpenoid was absent in T.
occidentalis while other phytochemicals were present in all plants at varying degrees (Table 1).

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, September, 2019; Vol. 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng

729

Table 1: Qualitative phytochemical constituents of poisonous plants to animals

Phytochemicals

D.
tri
pe
ta
la

C.
ni
tid
a

D.
m
ar
gi
na
ta

C.
m
elo

P.
am
er
ica
na

T.
ca
ta
pp
a

M
.e
sc
ul
en
ta

T. oc
cid
en
ta
lis

V. am
yg
da
lin
a

Alk aloid + + + + + + +++ + +
Anthocyanines - - - - - - + ++ ++
Cardiac glycoside ++ + + + + - ++ + +++
Flavonoid + + + + + + +++ + ++
Glycoside + + + + + + - - -
Phenol - - - + + + + + +
Reducing sugar - + + - - - - - -
Saponin + + + ++ ++ + + ++ ++
Steroid ++ + + + + + ++ + +
Tannin + + + + + + +++ + +
Terpenoid ++ + + + ++ + + - +

Key: +: Low, ++: Moderate, +++: High, -: Absent

The chemical quantification revealed the presence of tannin, saponin, cyanogenic glycoside and
hydrogen cyanide as the major cause of poisoning in the plants encountered. The result showed
that C. nitida and D. tripetala showed the presence of tannin while N. laewis showed the
presence of saponin as the cause of poisoning. Cyanogenic glycoside was extracted from M.
esculenta, V. amygdalina and T. occidenttalis roots. P. americana and T. catappa revealed the
presence of hydrogen cyanide while C. melo showed the presence of tannin as the cause of
poisoning (Table 2).

Table 2: Quantification of poisonous chemicals present in plants
S/N Plants Tannin (%) Saponin (%) Cyanogenic

Glycoside (mg/l)
Hydrogen
cyanide (mg/l)

1 Cucumis melo 26.90 0.0 0.0 0.0
2 Persea Americana 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.76
3 Terminalia catappa 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.75
4 Cola nitida 27 0.0 0.0 0.0
5 Newbouldialaewis 0.0 13 0.0 0.0
6 Dennettia tripetala 22.95 0.0 0.0 0.0
7 Manihot esculenta

Grantz.
0.0 0.0 3.24 0.0

8 Telfairia occidentalis
Hook. F.

0.0 0.0 0.0 6.41

9 Vernonia amyygdalina
Del.

0.0 0.0 1.11 0.0

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Erhenhi and Lemy: An assessment of some of the poisonous plant species to animals found in delta state, Nigeria.
AZOJETE, 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng 730

3.3 Discussion
The result of the study revealed the presence of different phytochemicals in plants poisonous to
animals in different parts of Delta State. This includes tannin, saponin, flavonoid, steroid,
terpenoid, cardiac glycoside, alkaloid, glycoside and reducing sugar in different concentration.
Similar phytochemical has previously been reported by several authors including Auwal et al.
(2012) and Okwu (2004). The result showed that the phytochemical qualification varies from
plant. Phytochemical variation in plant has been reported to alter the consumption pattern of
plants by herbivores (Andrea et al., 2016). The study also reported hydrogen cyanide, a toxic
substance to animal which occurs via exposure to cyanide ions (CN−) when dissolved in water
(Soto-blanco et al., 2008). However, the toxic effects of these plants to animals may be due to
the presence of multiple phytochemicals in the plants (Auwal et al., 2012). Several factors are
responsible for the toxic nature of plants to animals. The result of this study showed that C. melo
posse’s toxic compounds which are responsible for its detrimental nature to animals. However,
the presence of lectins in C. melo has been identified to be detrimental to numerous insect
andpests of crop plants (Raman et al., 2012). The majority of these plant lectins are present in
seeds, roots, stems and leaves. These lectins act as chemical messengers that could bind to the
sugars of cells in the gut and the blood cells, initiating an inflammatory response (de Melo et al.,
2011). At high intakes, lectins can seriously threaten the growth and health of consuming
individuals (Sze and Tzi, 2011).

Toxicity of P. americana has been reported to be poisonous to different animals by Eduardo et al.
(2013). However, this plant has also been reported in this study to be poisonous to animals due
to the presence of cyanogenic compounds. M. esculenta recorded to be poisonous in the study
has previous been reported by Cereda and Mattos (1996) to be toxic to animals due to the
presence cyanogenic glucosides such as linamarin and lotaustralinin cassava plant. Toxicity can
result from adverse cellular, biochemical, or macromolecular changes. Examples are: cell
replacement, such as fibrosis, damage to an enzyme system, disruption of protein synthesis,
production of reactive chemicals in cells and DNA damage (Xinsheng and Jose, 2012). Some
xenobiotics may also act indirectly by modification of an essential biochemical function,
interference with nutrition and alteration of a physiological mechanism (Cutler, 2010).

4. Conclusion
The present study reported phytochemical composition and quantification of selected plants
with toxic effects on animals. The result showed that the phytochemical contents of the plants
varied both in qualification and quantification. The presence of certain phytochemical content
such as cyanogenic glycoside and hydrogen cyanide in the plants is of major concern as these
substances are toxic and could be the cause of death to animals. There is need for evaluation of
the effects of these substances on the organs and systems of animals in order to ascertain the
actual site of toxicity of these substances.

References
Andrea, EG., Christopher, SJ., Matthew, LF., Thomas, LP., Chris, CN., Joshua, PJ., Joseph, SW.,
Thomas, RW., Lora, AR., Angela, MS., Michael, DL., Colin, RM., Wilmer, S., Luis, AS., Craig, DD., Jim,
SM., Eric, JT., Santiago, V., Lee, AD. 2016. Intraspecific phytochemical variation shapes community
and population structure for specialist caterpillars. New Phytologist 212(1):208-219.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide
http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, September, 2019; Vol. 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng

731

Assi, MA., Hezmee, MNM., Haron, AW., Sabri, MYM., Rajion, MA. 2016. The detrimental effects of
lead on human and animal health. Veterinary World 9(6):660-671.
Auwal, SM., Atiku, MK., Wudil, AM. and Sule, MS. 2012. Phytochemical composition and acute
toxicity evaluation of aqueous root bark extract of Securidaca longipedunculata (LINN). Bayero
Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 5(2): 67– 72.
Birgit,P., Amy, P. and Leslie, W. 2006. Toxic weeds and their impact on animals. California Animal
Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, University of California. P16.
Cereda, MP. and Mattos, MYC. 1996. Laminarin – the toxic compound of cassava. Journal of
Venomous Animals and Toxins 2(1):6-12.
Cutler, JC. 2010. Toxicity. In: encyclopedia of earth.http://www.eoearth.org/article/toxicity.
Retrieved August 2011.
De Melo, CM., Porto, CS., Melo, JMR., Mendes, CM., Cavalcanti, CC. and Coelho, LC. 2011. Healing
activity induced by Cramoll 1,4 lectin in healthy and immune compromised mice. International
Journal of Pharmacy 408(1-2):113-119.
Eduardo, PC., Moises, MV., Jose, MF. and Socorro, VR. 2013. Acute toxicity and genotoxic activity
of avocado seed extract (Persea americana Mill., c.v. Hass). The Scientific World Journal 13:1-4.
Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette 2007. Legal Notice on Publication of the Details of
the Breakdown of the National and State Provisional Totals 2006 Census.
Gupta, RC 2018. Veterinary Toxicology; Basic and Clinical Principles; third edition. Academic Press.
1238p.
Gwaltney-Brant SM. 2016. Veterinary forensic toxicology. Veterinary Pathology 53(5):1067-1077.

National Human Development Report (2018). Achieving human development in North East
Nigeria; towards an understanding of the humanitarian development – peace nexus. Published
by United Nations Development Programme. 116p.
Okwu, DE. 2004. Phytochemicals and vitamin content of indigenous spices of South Eastern
Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment 6:30-34.
Okwu, DE. 2005. Phytochemicals, Vitamins and Mineral contents of two Nigeria Medicinal plants.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine and Advance Science 1(4): 375-381.
Osayande, PE., Orhue, ER., Oneju, AA., Oseghe, DO., Maidoh, FU. and Irhemu, P. 2016. Biophysical
properties of selected Areas of Delta State and their suitability assessment for coconut, raphia
and oil palms cultivation. Journal of Environment and Earth Science 6(10):32-38.
Pfister, JA., Provenza, FD., Panter, KE., Stegelmeier, BL. and Launchbaugh, KL.2002. Risk
management to reduce livestock losses from toxic plants. Journal of Range Management 55:291-
300.
Puschner, B., Woods, L. and Peters, A. 2006. Toxic weeds and their impact on animals. In:
Proceedings of the Western Alfalfa and Forage Conference, Sponsored by the Cooperative
Extension Services, Plant Sciences Department, University of California. 6p.
Raman, BV.,Sravani, B., Rekha, PP., Lalitha, KVN. and Rao, BN. 2012. effect of plant lectins on
human blood group antigens with special focus on plant foods and juices. International Journal
of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy 3(2):255-263.

http://www.eoearth.org/article/toxicity
file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Erhenhi and Lemy: An assessment of some of the poisonous plant species to animals found in delta state, Nigeria.
AZOJETE, 15(3):725-732. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: aherhenhi@delsu.edu.ng 732

Soto-Blanco, B.,Stegelmeier, B.L. and Pfister, JA. 2008. Comparative effects of prolonged
administration of cyanide, thiocyanate and chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) to goats. Journal of
Applied Toxicology 28 (3):356–63.
Sze, KL. and Tzi, BNG. 2011. Lectins: Production and practical applications. Applied Microbiology
and Biotechnology 89:45-55.
United States Department of Agriculture 2011. Plants poisonous to livestock in the Western
States. Agricultural Research Service, Agricultural Information Bulletin Number 415. 120p.
Walelign, B. and Mekuriaw, E. 2016. Major Toxic Plants and Their Effect on Livestock: A Review.
Advances in Life Science and Technology 45:1-12
Woods LW, Filigenzi MS, Booth MC 2004. Myocardial degeneration and gastrointestinal
disturbance in three horses associated with ingestion of grass hay containing summer Adonis
(Adonis aestivalis). Veterinary Pathology 41:215-220.
Xinsheng, G. and Jose, EM. 2012. Molecular mechanisms underlying chemical liver injury. Expert
Review in Molecular Medicine 3:14:4.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Gu%20X%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22306029
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Manautou%20JE%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22306029
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22306029
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22306029
http://www.azojete.com.ng