Relation between toxicity of cotton-seed and its gossypol content

NOTES RELATION

FROM

THE

U. S. BUREAU

OF CHEMISTRY.*

BETWEEN TOXICITY OF COTTON-SEED GOSSYPOL CONTENT.

AND ITS

By Erich W. Schwartze and Carl L. Alsberg. [ABSTRACT.]

A COMPARISONof the toxicity of pure gossypol with that of four varieties of cotton-seed kernels was made in the Bureau of Chemistry. The results obtained indicate that the toxicity of cotton-seed kernels is due to their gossypol content. Inasmuch as the gossypol content of cotton-seed kernels varies in the different producing regions, the regional variation in the toxicity of raw cotton-seed kernels is explained. This tendency to geographic variation in the toxicity of the raw material would be expected to affect the toxicity of cotton-seed press cake and meal made in different regions by the same manufacturing process. This conclusion is confirmed by the fact that in the Atlantic Coast states, where the gossypol content of cotton-seed averages slightly less than I per cent., cotton-seed poisoning is more feared than in the Southwest, where gossypol occurs in cotton-seed in smaller quantities. PHARMACOLOGY

OF GOSSYPOL.”

By Erich W. Schwartze and Carl L. Alsberg. [ABSTRACT.]

PURE gossypol is capable of producing nearly all the manifestations reported as characteristic of the cotton-seed intoxication of farm animals. Therefore the conclusion seems warranted that gossypol is the principal causative agent of cotton-seed poisoning. This conclusion is supported by the fact that the toxicity of raw cotton-seed kernels varies almost directly with their gossypol content, or is only slightly less. Thus there can not be much of any *Communicated by the Chief of the Bureau. ‘Published in J. Agv. Res., 28 (April 12, Igq) : 173. 'Published in J. Agr. Rcs., 28 (April 12, rgz4) : IgI. 709