Ricinus Research Articles

Effect on combustion performance and emission behavior of diesel engine fueled with hybrid biodiesel produced from a novel ternary oil mixture incorporated with nano additive

ABSTRACT Global energy demand has been above 80% fossil fuels for decades, creating a greater and more complicated energy crisis. Biodiesel is a great alternate energy source for future energy demand. Producing biodiesel from a mixture of waste and non-edible oils may be a practical solution to address the growing global need of biodiesel. In this study, hybrid biodiesel is produced from a ternary oil mixture of Waste cooking oil, Ricinus communis oil, and Melia azedarach oil. The hybrid biodiesel blends are prepared by 10% blending (HB10), 20% blending (HB20) and 30% blending (HB30) and 30ppm multiwall carbon nanotube has been added in the blended fuel through sonicating process. At steady 1500rmp and variable load (0–100%), the engine behavior has been examined. The results show that the hybrid biodiesel blend (HB10) with 30ppm MWCNT has shown highest cylinder pressure of 70.9 bar, maximum mean gas temperature 1467.56°C. The engine shows 34.08% rise in net heat release and 9.13% rise in exhaust gas temperature as compare to diesel. The maximum rise in break thermal efficiency of 19.74% and minimum reduction in break specific fuel consumption of 13.79% is noticed in comparison to B00. The highest reduction of HC emission is found as 20.83% for HB20MWCNT30 and 19.34% for HB30MWCNT30 as compare to B00. The inclusion of multiwall carbon nanotube in hybrid biodiesel reduces the HC, CO, NOx and smoke emission and increases CO2 emission as compare to respective hybrid biodiesel blend and diesel. The hybrid biodiesel-diesel blend, with multiwall carbon nanotube can be utilized efficiently in diesel engine with improved overall engine behavior.

Identification of early, wilt resistant and good combining male lines of castor (Ricinus Communis L.,) suitable for rainfed conditions

Identification of early, wilt resistant and good combining male lines of castor (Ricinus Communis L.,) suitable for rainfed conditions

Neutralization of ricin toxin on building interior surfaces using liquid decontaminants.

Ricin is a highly toxic protein, capable of inhibiting protein synthesis within cells, and is produced from the beans of the Ricinus communis (castor bean) plant. Numerous recent incidents involving ricin have occurred, many in the form of mailed letters resulting in both building and mail sorting facility contamination. The goal of this study was to assess the decontamination efficacy of several commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) cleaners and decontaminants (solutions of sodium hypochlorite [bleach], quaternary ammonium, sodium percarbonate, peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide) against a crude preparation of ricin toxin. The ricin was inoculated onto four common building materials (pine wood, drywall joint tape, countertop laminate, and industrial carpet), and the decontaminants were applied to the test coupons using a handheld sprayer. Decontamination efficacy was quantified using an in-vitro cytotoxicity assay to measure the quantity of bioactive ricin toxin extracted from test coupons as compared to the corresponding positive controls (not sprayed with decontaminant). Results showed that decontamination efficacy varied by decontaminant and substrate material, and that efficacy generally improved as the number of spray applications or contact time increased. The solutions of 0.45% peracetic acid and the 20,000-parts per million (ppm) sodium hypochlorite provided the overall best decontamination efficacy. The 0.45% peracetic acid solution achieved 97.8 to 99.8% reduction with a 30-min contact time.

Evaluation of five medicinal plants for the management of Sitophilus oryzae in stored rice and identification of insecticidal compound

Sitophilus oryzae is a kind of stored grain pest. This is controlled by using natural pesticides, which are more reliable, cost-effective, biodegradable, and eco-friendly than synthetic pesticides. Several plants show different insecticidal activities against various pests on their different parts (leaves, seeds, etc.). In this study, methanolic extracts of Lantana camara (leaves), Carica papaya (seeds), Ricinus communis (leaves), Calotropis gigantea (flowers), and Gliciridia sepium (leaves) were used to identify the best insecticidal activity against the rice weevil by doing mortality tests for one week with four replications under laboratory conditions. Gliciridia sepium leaves showed the highest insecticidal activity (100 ± 0) after seven days, and its extract was fractionated by using column chromatography and yielded 12 fractions. A contact bioassay of each fraction was performed, and fraction-11 showed the highest insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae with a 100 % mortality after four days. Fraction-11 was analyzed by using GC-MS and FT-IR. Results revealed that the major constituent identified in fraction-11 was 4-C-methyl-myo-inositol. Therefore, 4-C-methyl-myo-inositol acts as a natural insecticide against rice weevils.

Reguladores de crescimento influenciam a altura e a partição de biomassa de plantas de mamona

ABSTRACT Castor (Ricinus communis) is a drought-resistant oilseed crop. This study evaluated five plant growth regulators (PGR) on their capacity to influence stem elongation of castor plants growing under shade and measured side effects on the biomass allocation among leaf, stem, and roots. The experiment had 220 castor plants of the cultivar AKB 02, on a completely randomized design and four replicates. The plants were kept under artificial shade and treated with 11 doses of PGR, applied in the first day after emergence. Eight plants were exposed to full sun radiation without PGR treatment. The plant height was measured daily, and the plants were harvested for weighing the final biomass. The data was subjected to multiple linear regression. The shade promoted stem elongation and reduced biomass accumulation in all compartments. The height growth was restricted by trinexapac-ethyl, mepiquat chloride, and chlormequat chloride. Gibberellin promoted stem elongation in addition to the shade effect. Paclobutrazol did not influence stem elongation, but it favored biomass accumulation and increased the stem density. Gibberellin promoted allocation to stem replacing leaf biomass; trinexapac-ethyl promoted root replacing stem and leaf biomass; mepiquat and chlormequat chloride promoted stem in detriment of leaf biomass. In conclusion, plant growth regulators may be effective to restrict height growth of castor plants, but they can also disturb the biomass allocation among root, stem, and leaves.

PENGARUH SIFAT BIJI JARAK SEBAGAI BAHAN BAKAR ALTERNATIF PENGANTI MINYAK TANAH UNTUK PENGERINGAN TEMBAKAU VIRGINA LOMBOK

Virginia tobacco is the largest agro-industry component in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The lack of subsidized kerosene quotas for tobacco extraction, even the central government decided that in 2018 the sub-oil kerosene quota will be abolished, brings its own problems. Based on this problem, research was carried out with the title how to characterize castor beans as an alternative fuel to replace kerosene as a substitute for tobacco extraction fuel with the aim of proving that castor beans can be used as an alternative fuel for drying tobacco. process without reducing the quality and economy of tobacco. This research was carried out experimentally. From the research results it can be concluded that castor bean fuel can be used as a fuel substitute for kerosene for tobacco production as proven by the results of the characteristic test, namely the calorific value produced in this research has met the national standard (SNI), namely 5288.844 cal/gr based on the standard. which meets American standards, namely 4000-6500 (Source: Hendra, 1999 in Sunyata and Wulur, 2008). economic value aspect of fuel consumption / 1 kg of dry castor beans consumes 6.7 kg of castor beans at a price of Rp. 6,700 lower than kerosene, LPG and bioethanol. Variable standard drying temperature with a drying rate of 1 m/s produces tobacco compost with the best quality color and aroma.

Lectin binding to pectoral fin of neonate little skates reared under ambient and projected-end-of-century temperature regimes.

The glycosylation of macromolecules can vary both among tissue structural components and by adverse conditions, potentially providing an alternative marker of stress in organisms. Lectins are proteins that bind carbohydrate moieties and lectin histochemistry is a common method to visualize microstructures in biological specimens and diagnose pathophysiological states in human tissues known to alter glycan profiles. However, this technique is not commonly used to assess broad-spectrum changes in cellular glycosylation in response to environmental stressors. In addition, the binding of various lectins has not been studied in elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays). We surveyed the binding tissue structure specificity of 14 plant-derived lectins, using both immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, in the pectoral fins of neonate little skates (Leucoraja erinacea). Skates were reared under present-day or elevated (+5°C above ambient) temperature regimes and evaluated for lectin binding as an indicator of changing cellular glycosylation and tissue structure. Lectin labeling was highly tissue and microstructure specific. Dot blots revealed no significant changes in lectin binding between temperature regimes. In addition, lectins only detected in the elevated temperature treatment were Canavalia ensiformis lectin (Concanavalin A) in spindle cells of muscle and Ricinus communis agglutinin in muscle capillaries. These results provide a reference for lectin labeling in elasmobranch tissue that may aid future investigations.

Co-integration and Causality Analysis of “Castor” (Ricinus communis Oil) Markets in India

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is a major industrial oilseed crop. Because of its numerous uses in the manufacturing of a wide range of industrial uses, castor oil has risen significantly in importance in the global economy. The study examined market integration in major Castor markets in India, including Dhanera, Patan, Kurnool, and Yemmiganur. The co-integration analysis conducted revealed a high level of market integration, as evidenced by the significant positive and negative values of weekly Castor prices across all markets. Unit root tests indicated that the markets were non-stationary, but became stationary when analyzed at the first difference. Further analysis using Johansen's tests identified three cointegrating equations among the markets. The results of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) demonstrated long-term price influences between markets. Specifically, Dhanera was found to be influenced by its own price, as well as by prices in Patan and Yemmiganur. Patan, on the other hand, was influenced by its own price, as well as by prices in Dhanera and Yemmiganur. Additionally, Kurnool and Yemmiganur were influenced by prices in neighboring markets.

Yield Performance and Stability of Some Indian Castor Hybrids in Nigerian Ecology

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an industrial oil crop that is widely recognized as an ideal crop for tropical and subtropical regions. Nigeria has been identified as a country with high potential to meet her national castor oil need and provide surplus for export. This potential can be harnessed, only if adequate production technologies, such as improved varieties, are available to the farmers. In this research, three FTB castor hybrids (Code 11, Code 22 & Code 33) and two local checks (NCRICAS1 & NCRICAS1) were assessed for their yield performance and stability in Nigeria. The castor genotypes were evaluated in a replicated plots across six locations in the Southern and Northern Guinea savanna ecologies of Nigeria. The results revealed significant differences for traits assessed among the genotypes. Average seed yield among the hybrids ranged between 596.58kg/ha and 1372.49kg/ha. Average seed yields of the checks ranged between 849.58kg/ha and 1239.63kg/ha. The hybrid Code 33 out yielded the two local checks at four locations (i.e Badeggi, Benue, Kebbi & Sokoto) out of the six locations. The check 1 (Acc.036) recorded significant higher yield (1705.28kg/ha & 1648.15kg/ha) than the hybrid Code 33 (1573.91kg/ha & 867.58kg/ha) at Bacita and Bauchi locations. Besides recording comparable seed yield to the best hybrid (Code 33), the local check 1 (Acc.036) matured earlier than the hybrids evaluated. The GGE biplot view revealed good stability and responsiveness for both hybrid Code 33 (G5) and Acc.036 (G2). Based on performance per se, the hybrid Code 33 showed better adaptation to the ecology. However, further assessment on oil quantity and quality, and cost benefit analysis of the hybrid(s) in comparison to the local varieties is highly recommended. 

Scaling of leaf area with biomass in trees reconsidered: constant metabolically active sapwood volume per unit leaf area with height growth.

Hypoallometric (slope<1) scaling between metabolic rate and body mass is often regarded as near-universal across organisms. However, there are compelling reasons to question hypoallometric scaling in woody plants, where metabolic rate=leaf area. This leaf area must provide carbon to the metabolically active sapwood volume (VMASW). Within populations of a species, variants in which VMASW increases per unit leaf area with height growth (e.g. ⅔ or ¾ scaling) would have proportionally less carbon for growth and reproduction as they grow taller. Therefore, selection should favor individuals in which, as they grow taller, leaf area scales isometrically with shoot VMASW (slope=1). Using tetrazolium staining, we measured total VMASW and total leaf area (LAtot) across 22 individuals of Ricinus communis and confirmed that leaf area scales isometrically with VMASW, and that VMASW is much smaller than total sapwood volume. With the potential of the LAtot-VMASW relationship to shape factors as diverse as the crown area-stem diameter relationship, conduit diameter scaling, reproductive output, and drought-induced mortality, our work suggests that the notion that sapwood increases per unit leaf area with height growth requires revision.

In vitro Evaluation of Botanical Extracts against Mycelial Growth of Alternaria solani

An experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the Department of Plant Pathology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. To test the efficacy of different treatments viz., Neem (Azadirachta indica), Onion (Allium cepa), Garlic (Allium sativum), Castor (Ricinus communis), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Henna (lawsonia inermis), Madar (Calotropis gigantea) against Alternaria solani under in vitro condition. Botanicals were tested through the poisoned food technique at 5% and 10 % concentrations and 168 hours of incubation. The Minimum radial growth of observed in  Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extract @ 5% (14.8mm) followed by Henna (lawsonia inermis) leaf extract @ 10% (43.36mm), Amaltas (Cassia fistula) leaf extract @ 10% (67.13mm),  Castor (Ricinus communis) leaf extract @ 10% (67.6mm), Madar (Calotropis gigantea) leaf extract @ 10% (69.6mm), Onion (Allium cepa) extract @ 10 % (70.8mm), Garlic (Allium sativum) extract @ 10 % (72.2mm) as compared to Control (89.4mm) untreated check.

Actividad antifúngica in vitro de Ricinus communis y Cyperus rotundus sobre cepas de Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Background: Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causes anthracnose in various agricultural crops. Objective: To evaluate the antifungal activity of Ricinus communis and Cyperus rotundus against WSFT and Tainung strains of C. gloeosporioides, comparing them with commercial products containing Bacillus subtilis (Serenade®) and Streptomyces spp. (Blite Free®). Methods: Inhibition percentages were determined through a dose-response bioassay with Serenade® and Blite Free® and the ethanolic extracts of R. communis and C. rotundus on the strains of C. gloeosporioides isolated from Carica papaya. Results and conclusions: R. communis induced higher mycelial inhibition (62.7 %) in the Tainung strain compared to Serenade® (54.2 %) and Blite Free® (0 %). The EC50 values obtained in the WSFT strain were similar between R. communis (0.80 %) and Serenade® (0.79 %). The antifungal activity of the plant extracts proved comparable to that of commercial products, suggesting their potential for controlling C. gloeosporioides.

Study on the Design, Synthesis, Bioactivity and Translocation of the Conjugates of Phenazine-1-carboxylic Acid and N-Phenyl Alanine Ester.

The natural pesticide phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) is known to lack phloem mobility, whereas Metalaxyl is a representative phloem systemic fungicide. In order to endow PCA with phloem mobility and also enhance its antifungal activity, thirty-two phenazine-1-carboxylic acid-N-phenylalanine esters conjugates were designed and synthesized by conjugating PCA with the active structure N-acylalanine methyl ester of Metalaxyl. All target compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. The antifungal evaluation results revealed that several target compounds exhibited moderate to potent antifungal activities against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Phytophthora parasitica, Phytophthora citrophthora. In particular, compound F7 displayed excellent antifungal activity against S. sclerotiorum with an EC50 value of 6.57 µg/mL, which was superior to that of Metalaxyl. Phloem mobility study in castor bean system indicated good phloem mobility for the target compounds F1-F16. Particularly, compound F2 exhibited excellent phloem mobility; the content of compound F2 in the phloem sap of castor bean was 19.12 μmol/L, which was six times higher than Metalaxyl (3.56 μmol/L). The phloem mobility tests under different pH culture solutions verified the phloem translocation of compounds related to the "ion trap" effect. The distribution of the compound F2 in tobacco plants further suggested its ambimobility in the phloem, exhibiting directional accumulation towards the apical growth point and the root. These results provide valuable insights for developing phloem mobility fungicides mediated by exogenous compounds.

Fatty Acid Composition and Physicochemical Properties of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Ricinus communis &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;Seed Oil Grown from Jabi Tehinan Woreda, Ethiopia

Castor seed oil is well known for its diverse medicinal and industrial uses. It is widely utilized as an additive in foods, medicine, personal care goods, lubricant and biodiesel. Nonetheless, the oil content and physicochemical properties of castor seeds depend on their genotypic varieties and geographical location. Fortunately, Ethiopia is endowed with varieties of castor seeds. However, there is a limited research on the total oil content and quality of castor seeds oil. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the total oil content, the physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of castor seeds oil grown in Jabi Tehinan Woreda, Ethiopia. The three most populous genotype castor beans were collected and subjected to soxhlet extraction using hexane solvent. The outcome showed that their genotypes determine both the amount and quality of the oil extracted. Genotype 01 (GT-01) has exceptionally the highest oil content (69.8%) while the Genotype 02 (GT-02) (47.305) and Genotype 03 (GT-03) (43.21%) have high oil contents. GT-01 has the highest (87.49%), GT-02 the second (85.17) and GT-01 (84.01) the third ricinoleic acid component. This high ricinoleic acid composition is reflected on their chemical and physical properties which are in the range of ASTM standards, making them valuable for various industrial applications.

Activity of Methanolic and Hydrolyzed Methanolic Extracts of Ricinus communis (Euphorbiaceae) and Kaempferol against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spodoptera frugiperda is the main pest of maize. One of the alternatives proposed for its control is the implementation of products of botanical origin, such as those derived from Ricinus communis. In this work, the insecticidal and insectistatic activities of methanolic and hydrolyzed methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of R. communis and kaempferol against S. frugiperda are evaluated. The methanolic extract presented a larval mortality rate of 55% and an accumulated mortality rate of 65% starting at 4000 ppm, with LC50 values of 3503 (larvae) and 2851 (accumulated); meanwhile, from a concentration of 1000 ppm, a decrease in pupa weight at 24 h of 20.5 mg was observed when compared to the control. The hydrolyzed methanolic extract presented a larval mortality and accumulated mortality rate of 60% from a concentration of 1000 ppm, and a decrease in pupa weight at 24 h of 35.31 mg was observed, when compared to the control. For the compound kaempferol 3-β-D-glucopyranoside, a larval mortality rate of 65% and an accumulated mortality rate of 80% were observed from 800 ppm, with LC50 values of 525.2 (larvae) and 335.6 ppm (accumulated); meanwhile, at 300 ppm, a decrease in pupa weight of 25.59 mg after 24 h was observed when compared to the control.

Development of Non-toxic Recombinant Ricin Vaccine and Evaluation of Vaccine Efficacy

Ricin is a highly toxic protein which is produced in the seeds of the castor oil plant. Ricin toxin A chain has ribosomal RNA N-glycosylase activity that irreversibly hydrolyses the N-glycosidic bond of the adenine residue at position 4324 within the 28S rRNA. In this study, we developed non-toxic recombinant ricin vaccine(R51) in &lt;i&gt;E. coli&lt;/i&gt; expression system, and evaluated efficacy of the R51 according to adjuvants. When the R51 was administered using aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant, the vaccine efficacy was higher than that of TLR agonists or aluminum phosphate. Because it is time-consuming to administer the vaccine three times at three-week intervals, we investigated the survival rate and antibody titer of mice according to the change of time interval of vaccination. Interestingly, there was no difference in survival rate and antibody titer when R51 was administered at 0, 1, and 3 weeks or 0, 2, and 4 weeks compared to when administered at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. Therefore, the developed R51 vaccine is promising to protect soldiers from Ricin attack.

Assessment of phytotoxicity bioassay and metal accumulation potential of Ricinus communis L. genotypes during cultivation in iron mine soil of Jharkhand, India

ABSTRACTS Seed germination and early seedling growth are crucial characteristics for determining a plant species ability to survive in stressed soil including mine soil (MS). In the present study, four genotypes of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) an industrially important bioenergy crop, were grown in iron MS with different treatments of garden soil (GS) (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) to examine germination, growth indices (tolerance index (TI), seedling vigor index (SVI)) and metal accumulation potential. The study recorded significantly high germination, growth and biomass in 75% GS treatments and for the cultivar MSC-55. The TI was highest in 75% GS treatments for all genotypes, with no significant difference. The metal accumulation potential of castor was evaluated for Fe, Pb, Cu and Ni, all of which were detected in high concentration in iron MS. The translocation factors (TF) for Fe and Ni were recorded <1 for all genotypes which imply metals are stabilized in the castor roots, although for Cu and Pb it was found >1. The bioaccumulation factor was recorded highest for Fe (1.224–7.433) and Pb (0.846–9.056) for all genotypes. Furthermore, the root accumulation of Fe, Pb and Ni was observed highest with 8039.20, 177.70 and 88.10 mg kg−1, respectively. The metal extraction ratio (MER) for Fe and Pb showed the highest. Overall, the highest MER was recorded in order of MSC-55 > Leetos > Swati-1515 > Sai-33. The finding of the study indicates that the genotypes MSC-55 followed by Leetos can grow in MS and accumulate multiple metals in their root and shoots and can be employed as phytostabilizers and phytoextractors.

Evaluation of the Effects of Nutrient Omissions on the Growth and Seed Yield of Two Castor Plant Varieties in Southwest Nigeria

Purpose: This pot experiment determined the critical nutrient elements for improved performance of two castor varieties in the study area. Methods: Two castor plant varieties; Indian Brown (IB) and Brazilian White (BW) were raised using ten nutrient types; 120 kg N, 50 kg P, 60 kg K, 10 kg Mo, 5 kg Zn, 2.5 kg Cu, 3 kg Fe and 5 kg Bo all in kg/ha as full nutrient (FN) with omissions of each of the element from FN and the control (no amendment) between August 2021 and January 2022 at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Data were collected on Plant Height (PH), Stem Girth (SG), Number of Capsules (NC) and Seed Weight (SW). Results: The IB produced taller (71.0 cm) plants and higher SW (16.9 g/plant) compared to BW with respective values of 57.6 cm and 12.5 g/plant. At 16 weeks after sowing, the full nutrient produced the thickest stem (57.1 mm) while the omission of nitrogen produced the thinnest stem (47.9 mm). The omission of zinc produced the highest NC (30) while the omission of nitrogen (17) and boron (14) produced lowest NC. Omission of potassium produced highest SW (20.3 g/plant), while omission of nitrogen (12.5 g/plant), phosphorus (13.0 g/plant) and boron (11.3 g/plant) produced lowest SW. Conclusions: IB should be the choice variety over BW while nitrogen, phosphorus and boron are critical nutrient elements for its improved performance in the study area.

The Search for Antidotes Against Ricin.

The castor plant (Ricinus communis) is primarily known for its seeds, which contain a unique fatty acid called ricinoleic acid with several industrial and commercial applications. Castor seeds also contain ricin, a toxin considered a chemical and biological warfare agent. Despite years of investigation, there is still no effective antidote or vaccine available. However, some progress has been made, and the development of an effective treatment may be on the horizon. To provide an updated overview of this issue, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on the current state of research in the fight against ricin. This mini-review is based on the reported research and aims to address the challenges faced by researchers, as well as highlight the most successful cases achieved thus far. Our goal is to encourage the scientific community to continue their efforts in this critical search.

Infection with different Neospora caninum strains causes differences in the glycosylation pattern in the uteri and placentae of Neospora caninum-infected heifers

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes abortion in ruminants. Different strains produce differences in the severity of disease outcomes. These differences may cause physiological or pathological changes in cells, modifying the intercellular interactions and intracellular transport pathways that could be evidenced by identifying the terminal sugars. This study aimed to characterize the oligosaccharide pattern in the bovine placenta and uterus after infection with tachyzoites of three different strains of N. caninum (Nc-1, Nc-6 Argentina and Nc Spain-7) during early gestation. Fourteen heifers were inoculated intravenously on day 70 of gestation with 2 × 108 N. caninum tachyzoites and samples of placentae and uteri were analysed by histology and lectin histochemistry. In the infected groups, severe placentitis was associated with changes in lectin binding in the vascular endothelium by Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA) and Ricinus communis I (RCA-I) lectins, in the epithelial cells of the endometrial glands by RCA-I, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), succinylated wheat germ agglutinin, peanut agglutinin (PNA), concanavalin-A (CON-A), LCA, PSA and Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (PHA-e), and in the trophoblast layer by PNA, CON-A, LCA, PSA, PHA-e, soybean agglutinin, RCA-I, DBA and Bandieraea simplicifolia agglutinin (BSA-I). The results suggest that N. caninum causes changes in the glycosylation pattern in the maternofetal interface tissues and might cause abortions in early gestation due to changes in the cellular structure of the placenta.