Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)

Datasheet

Description

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Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) habit and fruits

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) flower

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) habit in Adrar desert

Common names

Bitter apple, colocynth, vine of Sodom, wild gourd [English]; kolokwint, kwintappel, bitterappel of wijnstok van Sodom [Dutch]; coloquinte, coloquinte officinale [French]; bitter melone, Koloquinte, Koloquintengurke, Pomaquinte, Alhandal, Koloquintenkürbis, Bitterkürbis, Purgiergurke, Teufelsapfel [German]; Sártök [Hungarian]; coloquintide [Italian]; Колоцинт [Russian]; coloquíntida, tuera [Spanish]; حنظل [Arabic]; Ebucehil karpuzu [Turkish]; Kwartowa [Hausa]; אבטיח הפקוע [Hebrew]; इंद्रायन [Hindi]

Species

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. [Cucurbitaceae]

Synonyms

Colocynthis vulgaris Schrad., Cucumis colocynthis L.

Related feed(s)

Description

The colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.) is a member of the cucurbits family. It is a perennial trailing vine from the Mediterranean Basin and subtropical and tropical Asia that is able to grow in desert areas. It is mainly cultivated for its many ethnomedecinal and ethnoveterinary uses. Once cooked, the seeds become edible. They yield a considerable amount of oil, which makes colocynth a potential source of energy (biodiesel).

Morphology

Citrullus colocynthis is a perennial trailing herbaceous vine that grows to 3 m long. It has a tuberous root system which allows its survival in arid areas. The stems are angular and rough. The leaves are stiff, 3- to 7-lobed, 5-10 cm long x 2.5–6.5 cm broad, borne on 1-7 cm petioles. The flowers are monoecious (male and female distinct), solitary, borne on axillary buds, pentamerous, greenish to bright yellow in colour. The fruit is a globular drupe, 4-10 cm in diameter, about size of small orange, green and yellow variegated, becoming yellow when ripe. It has a hard rind, and a pulp that is toxic, bitter, light and spongy, easily broken, light yellowish-orange to pale yellow. The pulp includes numerous smooth, edible seeds. They are egg-shaped, dark brown to light yellowish-orange in colour, and 6-10 mm long (POWO, 2021; Duke, 1983).

Uses

Citrullus colocynthis contains bioactive and often toxic compounds in all its parts, notably the fruit and leaves. The pulp contains cucurbitacins that give it a bitter taste and make it not only unpalatable for humans and animals, but in some cases toxic and even lethal, though there are edible sweet varieties. The seeds are less toxic and used for food by some populations. They can be eaten directly in dried or roasted form, or ground into a powder and used as a soup thickener or flavouring agent (Sadou et al., 2007; (Mathur et al., 1989a; Shafaei et al., 2012). The oil is extracted for use in soap and other industries (Mathur et al., 1989a). The seeds and the resulting oil meal have been tested as livestock feeds with variable results.

Citrullus colocynthis is widely used in traditional pharmacology, and a very large range of medicinal properties are attributed to it: laxative (fruit), antidiabetic (seeds), antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (fruit, leaves and seeds), anticancer, antioxidant activity (leaves) (Hussain et al., 2014; Mariod et al., 2017). In ethnoveterinary medicine, the plant is used as an anthelmintic substance (Jabbar et al., 2006).

Distribution

Citrullus colocynthis originated from the deserts of Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia (Levi et al., 2017). It has been known for its medicinal properties and cultivated in the Mediterranean region (especially in Cyprus) and in India for many centuries (Nimmakayala et al., 2011, Duke, 1983). Citrullus colocynthis is widespread throughout the Sahara, Morocco, Egypt and Sudan, eastward through Iran to India and other parts of tropical Asia. It was introduced to many areas in the USA (Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Texas), South America (Argentina, Paraguay), Europe (Corsica, East Aegean Islands., Hungary, Italy, Romania, Transcaucasus, Uzbekistan), and Australia (New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia) (POWO, 2021).

Colocynth does better where mean annual temperature are ranging from 23 to 27°C and where annual rainfall is between 250 and 370 mm. It thrives on sandy loam, subdesert soils and along sandy sea coasts. Citrullus colocynthis tolerates annual precipitation of 380 to 4290 mm, annual temperatures of 14.8 to 27.8°C, and pH of 5.0 to 7.8 (Duke, 1983). It responds well to organic and mineral fertilizers (Ogbonna, 2009; Ogbonna et al., 2000).

Forage management

Yields

Yields of colocynth fruits and seeds were reported to be variable and to depend on the type and level of fertilizer, and on the density of plants. In Niger, the average seed yield and oil yield increased between the first year (180 kg seeds/ha, and 13-134 L/ha) and the second year (704 kg seeds/ha, and 0.3-800 L/ha) of cultivation (Sabo et al., 2015). In Nigeria, increasing levels of N fertilizer increased fruit and seed yields (Agba, 2004). High NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer rates (300-350 kg) resulted in the highest (about 1 ton seeds/ha) seed yield over two seasons (Ogbonna, 2009). High organic fertilizer (poultry manure, 5 to 10 ton/ha) was reported to have positive effect on plant stem and fruit yield (Ogbonna et al., 2000). Seed yield was up to 507 kg in coclocynth fields receiving 10 tons poultry manure/ha (Makinde et al., 2018). In India, the highest yields for seeds (264 to 509 kg/ha) and oil (71 to 128 kg/ha) were obtained with the application of 40 kg N/ha in fields sown at 18000 plants/ha (Kumawat et al., 2010a ; Kumawat et al., 2010b).

Environmental impact

Cover crop

In Zimbabwe, intercropping colocynth at a density of 33% of that of maize in maize fields resulted in a decrease of 50-66% of weed load. Lower density of colocynth was not effective (Mashingaidze, 2004).

Methane mitigation

In India, colocynth fruit fed at 1% in a cattle diet decreased rumen emissions of methane (Hundal et al., 2020).

Nutritional aspects

Nutritional attributes

Seeds

Colocynth seeds are rich in oil (20-29% DM) and fibre (crude fibre 26-53%), and relatively poor in protein (12-14% DM). The oil is mostly rich in linoleic acid C18:2 (60%), palmitic acid C16:0 (17%) and oleic acid C18:1 (12%).

Oil meal

Compared to the seed, the oil meal contains little residual oil (3-11% DM), more fibre (37-56% DM) and more protein (17-21% DM).

Potential constraints

Toxicity

Citrullus colocynthis contains toxic compounds such as cucurbitacins (triterpenes), elatermidine, glycosides, resin, dihydric alcohol, heltiacontane, citrullin and citrullinic acid. There is an abundant medical literature reporting the deleterious effects of the consumption of Citrullus colocynthis parts in humans: such effect include gastrointestinal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, hypothermia, cardiac disorders, cerebral congestion and necrosis of liver and renal cells (Fern, 2021). Notably, the use of Citrullus colocynthis in traditional herbal treatment for diabetes, popular in some countries, can have dangerous consequences (Jouad et al., 2001; Javadzadeh et al., 2013). Fatal cases of poisoning from overdoses of colocynth are not rare, but they represent a small percentage given its wide use (Mariod et al., 2017). The oil itself seems to be free of toxic factors (Sawaya et al., 1986).

Leaves and fruits

The consumption of fruits of Citrullus colocynthis by 5 children in Morocco resulted in severe poisoning and death (Pfab, 1999). Dried or minced plants of Citrullus colocynthis in doses of 0.5 to 10 g per kg per day killed goats after dosing for periods ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks (Barri et al., 1983).

Seeds

Colocynth seeds were toxic to chicks which showed depressed growth and lesions in the intestines, livers, kidneys and other tissues (Bakhiet et al., 1995).

Ruminants

Oil meal

Several experiments in India and Saudi Arabia have concluded that the partial substitution of the concentrate wih colocynth oil mel was possible in cattle, sheep, and goats.

Cattle

In India, when lactating Rathi cows fed on Lasiurus sindicus grass hay were supplemented with Citrullus colocynthis oil meal replacing up to 25% of the concentrate, the substitution had no effect on weight gain and milk yield and was able to save 35% in cattle feed costs. All the animals remained in good health (Mathur et al., 1991). Growing heifers grazing on Lasiurus sindicus grass could be supplemented with Citrullus colocynthis oil meal at 12.5% of concentrate level provided it was thoroughly soaked in water (Mathur et al., 1989a).

Sheep

In Saudi Arabia, Najdi wethers were fed isonitrogenous diets containing 10% or 20% colocynth oil meal in partial or full substitution of soybean meal, resulting in a decrease in nutrient (DM, OM, protein) digestibility and N retention, though it was concluded that the oil meal could still be a satisfactory partial replacement of soybean meal in a country with no source of indigenous protein supplement (Bhattacharya, 1990).

Goats

Citrullus colocynthis oil meal could replace 25% of the concentrate in Marwari goat diets with satisfactory growth performance and lower feed costs (Mathur et al., 2000). It was possible to use colocynth oil meal to replace 50% of the nitrogen from groundnut cake in Marwari goats rations based on ziziphus browse without compromising digestibility of dry matter, protein or energy. Animal performance were unchanged and feed costs were reduced (Sharma et al., 2011).

Pigs

No information on the use of colocynth products in pigs could be found (as of November 2021).

Poultry

Information about the use colocynth in poultry is scarce, probably due to the toxicity of those products.

Seeds

Feeding trials with Citrullus colocynthis seeds have varying results. In Saudi Arabia, it was possible to feed broiler chicks with a diet containing 15-20% seeds with no significant effect on growth. However, consumption increased, reducing feed efficiency, and it was recommended to keep the inclusion rate in the 5-10% range. The authors advocated dehulling and detoxification to exploit the full potential of the seeds (Sawaya et al., 1986). In Sudan, a trial where broiler chicks were fed with 2 or 10% colocynth seeds found that body weight improved at 2% inclusion rate, but that feed efficiency were markedly depressed in the chicks on 10% colocynth. Lesions appeared in the intestines, livers, kidneys and other tissues (Bakhiet et al., 1995). In another study, Citrullus colocynthis seeds could be added to broiler feeds up to 6% without adverse effects (Ali et al., 2011).

Oil meal

Feeding broiler chicks with a diet containing 15% of colocynth oil meal, unprocessed or soaked in water to eliminate toxic components, significantly depressed body weight and feed efficiency (Sawaya et al., 1986).

Rabbits

Citrullus colocynthis is toxic to rabbits and no part of this plant should be fed to them. Used at very low level (e.g. 4-5 or 50 mg daily /kg body weight), the fruit has multiple pharmaceutical actions such hypoglycaemic or hypolipidemic effect, in the rabbit as in the other mammals (Daradka et al., 2007; Zamani et al., 2007; Al-Dujaily, 2012; Amin et al., 2018). The same type of effect or anti-inflammatory effect were demonstrated in the rabbit with extracts of Citrullus colocynthis seeds or leaves (Wasfi, 1994). However, all rabbits fed colocynth fruit at higher levels - 200 mg/d/kg BW – i.e. about 0.2% of the daily intake – died within 24 hours and half of those receiving 100 mg/d/kg/BW died within 21 days (Shafaei et al., 2012; Amin et al., 2018). While seeds and leaves are reported to be less toxic they keep being toxic (Wasfi, 1994).

Nutritional tables

Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value

Avg: average or predicted value; SD: standard deviation; Min: minimum value; Max: maximum value; Nb: number of values (samples) used

Colocynth seed (Citrullus colocynthis)

Beware: colocynth seed contains toxic compounds. The estimated digestibility and energy values shown below do not take those compounds into account and represent ideal values for a fully detoxified product, notably for monogastric animals.

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	95		93.8	95.6	4
Crude protein	% DM	13		12.4	13.9	4
Crude fibre	% DM	40.8		26.3	52.9	3
Neutral detergent fibre	% DM	59.2				1
Acid detergent fibre	% DM	43.2				1
Lignin	% DM	3.8				1
Ether extract	% DM	24.9		19.5	28.9	4
Ash	% DM	5.2		2.1	9	4
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	24.2					*

Amino acids	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Alanine	g/16g N	4.9		4.3	5.6	2
Arginine	g/16g N	11.7		7.5	15.9	2
Aspartic acid	g/16g N	8.9		8.6	9.3	2
Cystine	g/16g N	1.8		1.6	2	2
Glutamic acid	g/16g N	16.5		13.1	19.8	2
Glycine	g/16g N	6.1		4.9	7.2	2
Histidine	g/16g N	2.3		2.3	2.3	2
Isoleucine	g/16g N	3.7		3.5	3.8	2
Leucine	g/16g N	6.6		5.9	7.2	2
Lysine	g/16g N	3.7		3.6	3.8	2
Methionine	g/16g N	2.5		1.6	3.5	2
Methionine+cystine	g/16g N	4.3				1	*
Phenylalanine	g/16g N	4.8		4.2	5.5	2
Phenylalanine+tyrosine	g/16g N	7				1	*
Proline	g/16g N	3.7		2.9	4.4	2
Serine	g/16g N	4.6		4.1	5.1	2
Threonine	g/16g N	3.7		3.5	4	2
Tryptophan	g/16g N	1.4				1
Tyrosine	g/16g N	2.2		2.2	2.2	2
Valine	g/16g N	4.3		3.9	4.8	2

Fatty acids	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Myristic acid C14:0	% fatty acids	0.2				1
Palmitic acid C16:0	% fatty acids	17.3				1
Palmitoleic acid C16:1	% fatty acids	0.1				1
Stearic acid C18:0	% fatty acids	9				1
Oleic acid C18:1	% fatty acids	12.3				1
Linoleic acid C18:2	% fatty acids	60.1				1
Linolenic acid C18:3	% fatty acids	0.3				1

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	2.4		0.1	6	4
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	2.5		0.3	4.6	4
Potassium	g/kg DM	4.8		3.2	6.4	3
Sodium	g/kg DM	0.46		0.13	0.79	2
Magnesium	g/kg DM	1.9		0.5	2.6	4
Manganese	mg/kg DM	37				1
Zinc	mg/kg DM	23		12	41	4
Copper	mg/kg DM	25		3	54	4
Iron	mg/kg DM	324		33	817	3

Pig nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Energy digestibility, growing pig	%	33.4					*
DE growing pig	MJ/kg DM	8.1					*
MEn growing pig	MJ/kg DM	7.8					*
NE growing pig	MJ/kg DM	7.1					*
Nitrogen digestibility, growing pig	%	34					*

Poultry nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
AMEn cockerel	MJ/kg DM	13.3					*
AMEn broiler	MJ/kg DM	12.2					*

Ruminants nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, ruminants	%	57.5					*
Energy digestibility, ruminants	%	58.7					*
ME ruminants	MJ/kg DM	11.3					*
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants	%	60.8					*

Rabbit nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
DE rabbit	MJ/kg DM	11					*
MEn rabbit	MJ/kg DM	10.4					*
Energy digestibility, rabbit	%	45.5					*
Nitrogen digestibility, rabbit	%	84.5					*

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Aganga et al., 2000; Bhattacharya, 1990; Sabo et al., 2014; Sadou et al., 2007; Sawaya et al., 1986

Last updated on 20/11/2021 15:37:22