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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #312221
Title: Changes in swainsonine, calystegine, and nitrogen concentrations on an annual basis in Ipomoea carnea

Author
item Cook, Daniel
item OLIVEIRA, CARLOS - Federal University Of Para
item Gardner, Dale
item Pfister, James
item RIET-CORREA, GABRIEL - Federal University Of Para
item RIET-CORREA, FRANKLIN - Federal University Of Campina Grande

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/3/2015
Publication Date: 3/1/2015
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62902
Citation: Cook, D., Oliveira, C.A., Gardner, D.R., Pfister, J.A., Riet-Correa, G.A., Riet-Correa, F. 2015. Changes in swainsonine, calystegine, and nitrogen concentrations on an annual basis in Ipomoea carnea. Toxicon. 95:62-66.

Interpretive Summary: Ipomoea carnea, a swainsonine containing plant, is known to cause a neurologic disease to grazing livestock in Brazil and other parts of the world. To better understand the relative toxicity and nutritional content of I. carnea, we investigated swainsonine, calystegines, and crude protein concentrations in leaves of I. carnea on a monthly basis for one year in northern and northeastern Brazil. Swainsonine concentrations were detected at amounts that could potentially poison an animal throughout the year although there was some variation between months. Total calystegine concentrations were similar to those reported previously while crude protein concentrations are such that they may explain why I. carnea becomes desirable to grazing livestock as forage becomes limited during the dry season.

Technical Abstract: Ipomoea carnea, a swainsonine containing plant, is known to cause a neurologic disease in grazing livestock in Brazil and other parts of the world. To better understand the relative toxicity and nutritional content of I. carnea, we investigated swainsonine, calystegines, and crude protein concentrations in leaves of I. carnea on a monthly basis for one year in northern and northeastern Brazil. Swainsonine concentrations were detected at amounts that could potentially poison an animal throughout the year although there was some variation between months. At one location, swainsonine concentrations were generally the highest during the rainy season or the months immediately following the rainy season. Total calystegine concentrations were similar to those reported previously while crude protein concentrations are similar to those found in other Ipomoea species and are such that they may explain why I. carnea becomes desirable to grazing livestock as forage becomes limited during the dry season.