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Evaluation of a Bioassay for Detection of Ricin in Castor Bean Meal Submited to Biodetoxification Process

Ricin is a toxic protein present in Ricinus communis seeds (castor bean), and its presence in delipidated castor meal is a problem to use this residue to feed animals. Many methods have emerged for castor meal detoxification, however the way to validate the ricin elimination is not standardized. To verify the ricin presence in the processed material, and whether this protein has biological activity, a bioassay based on cultured Vero cells was proposed. Cells were grown in culture medium for 48 hours, and ricin in diferent concentrations were added to cell culture. Cell death was measured by cell counting and measure of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The minimum of ricin needed to kill the cells was 10 ng/mL. After use purified ricin to determine if the test is efficient, solid‐state fermentation was used to eliminate ricin from castor meal. Aspergilus niger was grown on castor meal substrate suplemented with molasses 6,25% at 48% humidity. Castor meal was analysed after 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of fermentation, and it was shown that ricin was eliminated just after 24 hours of fermentation. Castor meal detoxification was also tryed using treatments with CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 and CaO. Results suggest that the process is efficient and a complete detoxification of castor meal happens when using concentrations at or above 8% of these compounds.