Toxicological evaluation of Aridan,tetrapleura tetraptera(Mimosaceae), a molluscicide

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the appropriate size of Aridan, Tetrapleura tetraptera, that could be used for efficient extraction of the molluscicide. The toxicity of the freeze‐dried water extract of the molluscicide was also studied in rodents. The results suggest that the appropriate calculated particle size of 186.5 μm would be the ideal size for massive extraction of the molluscicide for field use. In acute mammalian toxicity tests, acute oral, acute dermal, acute dermal irritation, dermal sensitization and repeated oral toxicity tests, Aridan, proved to be slightly toxic as shown by the haemorrhagic appearance of the lungs of rats, temporary incoordination and increase in respiratory rate in mice and non‐toxic as shown by the normal condition of other organs and the animals.