Test for screening nitrate toxic level in fodder

   

             Nitrate is a toxic agent. If its amount in a plant is more than 2% then it causes acute nitrate poisoning. Less than 2% can cause chronic toxicity. In drought its level becomes high. Sorghum has a high content of nitrate. The immature plant has high content than the mature because the mature plant has high matter as compared to the nitrate level.

Sources of nitrate

  • High use of fertilizer
  • Nitrate content in soil and water
  • Some drugs e.g., vasodilators or hypotensive drugs; are chemically nitrate.
  • Poisoning could be from fodder due to hailing, frost, or drought.

Poisoning reasons or mechanism (MOA)

      When animals consume fodder having more than 2% nitrate, they go into the GIT, where it is absorbed into the blood and affects blood hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is converted into methemoglobin (it can not carry oxygen).
      It also relaxes vessels smooth muscles and causes vasodilation, then cardiac out is decreased.

Clinical signs

  • Frequent urination (a homeostatic mechanism to reduce nitrate concentration)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea (GIT effect)
Respiratory system effects include
  • Dyspnea (difficult breathing)
  • Mucous membrane cyanosis (cyanotic: blue color)
  • Rapid and weak pulse
Nervous signs include
  • Convulsion
  • Triggering
  • Death occurs in few hours (acute) to days (chronic).

Post mortem observation

  • Lesions
  • Blood red color changes to chocolate brown
  • Hemorrhage on mucus membrane (cyanotic)

Toxicity of nitrate is enhanced by a no. of factors include

  1. Large intake of nitrate over a short period of time.
  2. If there is anemia then there are more chances of nitrate poisoning.
  3. Poor rumen function.
  4. Ammonia and nitrite are more toxic than nitrate.
  5. Poor feeding practices.
Note: If fodder contains a high amount of nitrate then give frequent and less fodder to animals so that they digest effectively.

Diphenylamine test

It is a qualitative test.

Procedure

  1. Take 0.5 mg of diphenylamine and dissolve it into 20 ml of distilled water.
  2. Then transfer it into a measuring cylinder and make a total volume of 100 ml by adding 80 ml of Sulphuric acid.
  3. Let it to cool.
  4. Cut the stem in the middle of the plant into two parts.
  5. Put 2-3 drops of this solution on it.

Result prediction

  • If it gives an intense blue color; it indicates the nitrate level is more than 2% and the fodder is not fit for consuming.

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