Effect of Papaya and Squash Seeds on Parasitic Worms

[Chad Rackal]

DA Vll Livestock Sector

Just sharing this study made by Gellie Kaye Doydora, who presently assists in a special project at Ubay Stock farm (USF).

Papaya and Squash Seeds Can Reduce Egg Count of Parasitic Worm
Haemonchus contortus

by Gellie Kaye G. Doydora


INTRODUCTION

Parasitic worm infestation is one of the most common problems encountered in goat raising. This is treated using broad spectrum anthelmintics or commercial dewormers which are expensive.

Haemonchus contortus or barber pole worm is the most pathogenic nematode parasite of small ruminants. The adult H. contortus lives in the abomasum (true stomach) of goats and causes anemia, diarrhea, dehydration, and internal fluid accumulation, among others.

This author made a study last year comparing the efficacy of papaya seeds and squash seeds in reducing egg count of H. contortus; and to know which of these seeds is as effective as the commercial dewormer.

The study was intended to help goat raisers choose an effective
alternative dewormer since a commercial dewormer is expensive or unavailable in remote areas.

METHODS

Sixteen male goats were randomly laid out into four treatments with four replicates each following a complete randomized design, (wherein T0= negative control, T1= positive control, T2=papaya seed treatment and T3=squash seed treatment). The dried and powdered papaya seeds and squash seeds were given as feed paste (Figure 1) to ensure being swallowed by the goats. A dosage of 50mg papaya seeds/ 10kg body weight (BW) and 50 mg squash seeds/ 10kg BW of goats was given to T2 and T3 respectively while 2ml Albendazole/10 kg BW of goats was given to the positive control group. The fresh fecal samples were examined before (day 0) and after treatment (day 7) using McMaster slide to determine the H. contortus egg counts.

RESULTS

Both papaya seeds and squash seeds showed a significant reduction of egg count of Haemonchus contortus. It was also found out that there is no significant difference in the egg reduction of H. contortus in animals given papaya seeds and those given squash seeds. Both papaya seeds and squash seeds were not as effective as Albendazole (commercial dewormer) against H. contortus, but they are potential alternative animal dewormers for farmers who cannot buy the commercial dewormers, or who are in remote areas where commercial anthelmintics are unavailable.

LITERATURE CITED

Kermanshai R, McCarry B, Rosenfeld J, Summers P, Weretilnyk E, Sorge G. 2001. Benzyl isothiocyanate is the chief or sole anthelmintic in papaya seed extracts. Phytochemistry 57(3): 427– 435.

Lacey E. 1990. Mode of action of benzimidazole. Parasitol Today 6(4):112-115.

Rybaltovskii OV. 1966. On the discovery of cucurbitin--a component of pumpkin seed with anthelmintic action. Med Parazitol (Mosk) 35(4):487-488.

Regards,

Mr. Wendell Chad Rackal  (AAS, B. Sc.)

I  am like a tree planted by the rivers of living water. My leaf does not fade. I bring forth fruit in it’s due season.